Agoracom Blog Home

Archive for November, 2008

Update Friday Evening

Posted by Peter Grandich at 7:45 PM on Friday, November 21st, 2008

Sometimes your gut is a better indicator than fundamental or technical analysis. I felt last evening that we reached an extremely bearish level in the U.S. stock market, often seen at or near market bottoms. I was looking for a washout bottom by opening hundreds of points lower and then closing higher. As it often does, the stock market decided not to accommodate me.

As noted last night, we’re entering a highly favorable seasonal period for stocks. Next week is effectively a 3-day week and often is an up week.  The market was simply looking for a reason to have a good short covering rally and the announcement of who will be nominated for Secretary Treasurer was the excuse.

Ideally, another trading range for now and one final test of two key technical support areas for the DJIA could be what it takes to get me on the long side again. The DJIA held above its 2003 intra-day low of 7532 but I would’ve liked to see a test of its 2002 intra-day low of 7198. We shall see in the coming days and weeks what shakes out.

I personally almost pulled the trigger ongoing long the financials via the UYG-ETF. Here too, I hope to get another chance before years-end.

Gold had an outstanding day with major mining shares gapping up. By clearing $775, I believe a significant bottom at just under $700 has been put in. I suspect the Crimenex to attack it Monday but again, my gut says we could see a very nice rally into the New Year.

Oil is at a critical support at $50. This is where it bottomed in 2007 before launching its incredible run this year. Closing significantly below $50 IMHO eventually leads us to $40. The $40 area has been major support in 1991, 2003 and 2004. Stay tuned.

The U.S. Dollar continues to trace out a significant topping pattern. I would be aggressively short only with year-end book squaring beginning soon; it could make one final run to 90-91 before topping out.

Have a blessed weekend.

The one mining and exploration stock I would buy today

Posted by Peter Grandich at 12:48 PM on Friday, November 21st, 2008

Northern Dynasty continues to be my favorite mining stock to own. I now own the largest ever personal position in it. Below is the text from a report issued by Raymond James regarding the drill results announced yesterday. I truly believe their target price of $13 would be where it would be trading now if not for the crash in the stock market. Those with a one year+ timeframe have an excellent chance of seeing that target hit IMHO.

 

While I’m not engaged by NDM I do work for other companies that share the same management of NDM

 

It trades on the Amex symbol NAK and the Toronto stock Exchange under NDM

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

Subject: MEYER: Northern Dynasty (STRONG BUY) Pebble Drill Results; Progress in the Real World

 

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. NDM-TSX | NAK-AMEX

 

RATING                        STRONG BUY 1                       

Target Price (6-12 mths) (C$) 13.00

Closing Price (C$)            2.51 

Total Return to Target        418%

 

Event

Northern Dynasty released positive results from a combination of step-out and infill drill holes on the Pebble East deposit before market open yesterday.

Action

We recommend buying Northern Dynasty shares. In our opinion, Pebble is a world class Cu-Au-Mo project, backed by a financially strong partner.

Analysis

- In our view, the drill results show good grade continuity and indicate the deposit’s potential for resource expansion. There are currently six drill rigs on site. The main objective of the 2008 drill program is to upgrade a large portion of the Pebble East deposit to the Indicated category from the Inferred category. The data is required in order to complete a new resource estimate before year-end and to finalize a pre-feasibility study in the second-half of 2009.

- Highlights from the 18 drill holes assayed: hole 8405 intersected 2,460 feet grading 1.20%CuEq (0.78% Cu, 0.25 g/t Au, 0.046% Mo); hole 8410 intersected 1,525 feet grading 1.21%CuEq (0.80% Cu, 0.44 g/t Au, and 0.023% Mo); hole 8412 intersected 1,301 feet grading 1.76%/CuEq (1.11% Cu, 0.69 g/t Au, and 0.038% Mo); hole 8413 intersected 2,469 feet grading 1.15%CuEq (0.80% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, and 0.040% Mo); hole 8414 intersected 1,224 feet grading 1.27%CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.80 g/t Au, and 0.027% Mo); hole 8515 intersected 2009 feet grading 1.15%CuEq (0.64% Cu,

0.54 g/t Au and 0.029% Mo).

- According to management, the Pebble project team is on track to finalize a pre-feasibility study in the latter half of 2009 and commence project permitting in early 2010.

Valuation

Northern Dynasty shares trade at a P/NAV of 0.08 times versus its peer group at 0.19 times. Our target price is derived from a risk and liquidity adjusted historic P/NAV multiple of 0.40x.

 

Tom Meyer, P. Eng., CFA

Base Metals & Mining Analyst

Raymond James Ltd.

Scotia Plaza – Suite 5300

40 King St. West, P.O. Box 415

Toronto, Ontario M5H 3Y2

Phone: 416 777 4912

Fax: 416 777 4933

tom.meyer@raymondjames.ca

11:15AM EST Update

Posted by Peter Grandich at 12:16 PM on Friday, November 21st, 2008

I received around 100 emails, almost all of them thanking me for my publication but urging me to avoid going back into the market.

I truly appreciate the thoughts. First off, I haven’t gone back in yet. All I suggested last night is if we had another massive sell-off today I just may go long so stay tuned. The bearishness now is at an extreme and unless the end of the world as we knew it is underway, this level of bearishness is almost always at or near the bottom. Stay tuned indeed!

Gold- Has withstood the attack on the Crimnex (Comex) by the criminals who roamed that exchange. A close above $775 would be an all-clear signal.

U.S. Dollar – i continue to believe it’s forming a major top again so stay tuned.

Oil – It now has the number I wanted in front of it (4) to turn bullish again. Here too I’m looking for a one more sharp sell-off to go long again.

Don’t forget the football contest ( scroll back to post earlier this week).

Alert! Alert! Alert! 9:00PM EST

Posted by Peter Grandich at 10:05 PM on Thursday, November 20th, 2008

The Only Safe Thing is to take a Chance” Mike Nichols

I was out of the office this afternoon, hearing Super Bowl star David Tyree give an awesome talk at Montclair University. It was nice to meet some readers there. My phone had been turned off. I got back to my car to find numerous messages from friends and others, all of them in different degrees of fear and panic. And these were mostly people who have been out of the market! I have not seen this type of fear since the crash of 1987. It was that type of fear that led me to go from bear to bull the day after that crash.

The main difference today is the economy here and abroad is in far worse shape and there’s nothing on the horizon that can change that. I noted a few days ago (and already a thousand + DJIA points higher) that Paulson’s change of heart would lead to a further sharp fall. With a vacuum of political will to at least January 20th, only God knows how far we can fall.

On the way home today I had time to think since the Garden State Parkway was a crawl most of the way. Back in 1987, I was my God so the conversation was easy. Now I realize I not only put my pants on one leg at a time like others, but the Creator of everything remains fully in control no matter how much chaos is taking place. To some, stating I spoke to God about all this mess will be a signal to stop reading this blog. That’s okay. I would too if not for experiencing His hand in my life, especially this year.

An enormous peace engulfed me despite horrific traffic. I felt God had allowed all this in my life so he could have a voice in the midst of this financial calamity. I know some will never understand this and say I’m one of those religious nuts, but I’ve been so moved to share this with you despite knowing the ramifications of alienating some. This is a totally different than in 1987 when the door opened to me becoming a legend in my own mind.

So, what does all this mean? I believe I’m to first tell you that no matter what your financial situation may be, you’re to know that the Creator of everything is not sitting somewhere going, “How did that happen?” He wants you to know now more than ever, you need to put your trust in Him and not ourselves. As we’ve seen, some of the smartest and worldly successful people are in far worse shape than us.

Okay, let’s get to the markets.

My target of 7,500 on the DJIA has basically been achieved. We’ve been blessed to basically avoid the second worse stock market decline in history. While it looks as bleak as ever, I feel it’s come time to ask ourselves two things:

  • Has fear totally replaced fundamentals in the stock market? If so, hasn’t history shown this to be the best buying opportunity?
  • Is it really different this time (almost always it ends up not different)?

As of today, I believe fear is now the main engine driving the stock market. Knowing this, one should become a buyer knowing it won’t be different this time. But after being extremely bearish and knowing things are not going to get better anytime soon, should I take a chance and think it won’t be different?

“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” Aldous Huxley

With option expiration tomorrow plus breaking many technical support levels, there’s the possibility we could see the DJIA down several hundred points. If this occurs, I’m likely to pull the trigger and get back into the stock market on the long side. I don’t think it will be a fully invested move. I think the closer one is to retirement, the less they should follow me in with. I fully don’t expect to be catching “the” bottom as we’re likely to see an “L” shape bottom when it finally occurs.

Stay tuned tomorrow.

Short Update Plus Video of Recent Seminar Talk 9:00AM EST

Posted by Peter Grandich at 9:53 AM on Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Sadly, the markets are unfolding like I expected. Knowing how many millions of people are being hurt, I truly would rather have been wrong. I mentioned earlier this week Paulson’s reversal on bailing out the toxic mortgages opened up pandora’s box. With a lame duck adminstration and a whole host of bad news unfolding, there’s nothing for the markets to grab onto for the bullish side. The only thing going for it is the seasonally favorable period from Thanksgiving to years-end and short covering rallies. The seasonal aspect may be overwhelmed this year.

The way the market is free-falling (along with oil), I may be stepping back in before too long so stay tuned. They continue to sell gold on the Comex after very strong physical buying overseas. This is going to break big time one way or another so stay tuned here as well.

I recently spoke at a financial seminar here in New Jersy. Here’s the video

I Just Had to Write About This

Posted by Peter Grandich at 9:35 PM on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

I first just posted this as a comment to a previous post of mine but it just kept pulling me to make a separate comment about it.

A year ago, a very small minority of professionals foresaw what has now taken place in the markets. I was one of them. I’m not gloating but it plays to what I’ve written for years about not only how badly flawed traditional financial planning is and the people who practice it, but how the “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” crowd is always saying buy, buy buy and are never really challenge by most in the media.

A gentleman I often quoted is Peter Schiff. No one, including me, has been more spot-on then him. Here’s some interviews of him. I want you to not only see how right he was, but the arrogance of several other people who laughed and mock him on national TV. Where are these people today? Will the media bring up their horrific misjudgments? Don’t hold your breath.

Link

Markets Update 9:30AM EST

Posted by Peter Grandich at 10:17 AM on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

U.S. Stock Market – Sorry to say it but the U.S. stock market is getting uglier. The “bounce” off the October lows have been feeble while breath is far uglier on down days versus up. Meanwhile, the fundamental news is getting worse. I believe Paulson’s “switch” from using the bailout monies to buy up toxic mortgages to ejecting it into banks, has been perceived as a slap in the face to Congress and that he continues to be flying by the seat of his pants (please read). This has caused the “Big Money” (what’s left of it) to feel things are far worse than what Paulson has been letting on (please read). The feeling is all the horrible fundamental news combined with the technical picture is going to take out the lows of October 10th and another leg down will follow. I fully believe this so I continue to advise staying out of the market.

If and when I do go back into the waters, I’m likely to be over-weighted in foreign stock markets versus the U.S.. Russia, China and Hong Kong has my eyes right now. One sign of a potential U.S. stock market bottom is if and when the financial stocks(what’s left of them) lead the way to the upside. Please read.

Gold – The physical market remains incredibly strong while the Comex market trades as if physical demand was weak. As this article suggests something is fishy. I continue to suggest waiting on the sidelines with any new money until the paper gold price can climb above $775.

Base Metals – Still on sidelines and this appears to be the place until at least the New Year.

U.S. Dollar Index – While dollar spreads are continuing to be unwound, giving the dollar some support, upside momentum has waned. Once the short-covering is out of the way, I believe we shall witness a signicant fall in the dollar.

Oil – I’ve been on the sidelines since near the highs but I’m getting itchy to pull the trigger. I think the time may come if I’m correct about another leg down in the stock market. Stay tuned.

Mining and Exploration Shares – They too are likely to be pressured in a general stock market decline. We need gold above $775 to get some separation for gold stocks from general equities.

Special Notes of Interest – I’ve felt that an Obama win would lead Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear sites before Obama’s inauguration. Please read.

It’s becoming harder and harder for the average American family to cope. Please read and read and read

Yet another crisis brewing Please read and read

Unemployment is far worse than reported and will only get worse. Please read.

Good news and bad news regarding CNBC-TV. As I noted previously, I no longer have Bloomberg News so I’ve been forced to watch CNBC-TV with the sound on (but my mute button is getting worn out). I’ve discovered one show very worthy of my time-Fast Money. Real pros that aren’t mouthpieces for Wall Street firms and a reporter who seems to get it makes this the exception to the rule on CNBC-TV.

The bad news is I watched another farce by staff of CNBC-TV yesterday morning. The show Squwak Box had a guest on who spoke about the Plunge Protection Team or PPT. Immediately, he was attacked and was being discredited. Over the years we’ve learned publicly that our government has intervened in the currency and bond market but these fools can’t accept this possibility. I believe this is so because they’re so dependent on the “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” crowd for their paychecks and to accept this would mean their pals were not fully on the up and up. Also, the lady Ms. Quick was in diapers when the 1987 crash occurred and everybody and his mother knew the Fed intervened in the S&P futures the day after the crash, which helped the market turnaround. It’s a shame that CNBC-TV continues to have guest after guest preach it’s time to buy while people like Peter Schiff and others, who actually forecasted this mess, are not on. Sorry folks, but this is mostly Tout-TV. Watch video

Lets Try Another Football Contest

Posted by Peter Grandich at 1:19 PM on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Hi Everyone,

I can’t promise it every week but our first one was fun so lets try another week. The winning prize will be a Joe Klecko autographed football, mini-helmet and picture. In case some of you are too young to remember Joe, watch this video

Please put your scores in as if there’s a tie in # of winners, the lowest total differtial between actual scores and your picks will be the winner. Please don’t email me your picks. They need to be posted here on the blog. All picks must be in no later than midnight Saturday. The first 100 entries will be in the contest.

Minnesota vs. Jacksonville

NY Jets vs. Tennessee

N.E. Patriots vs. Miami

NY Giants vs. Arizona

Carolina vs. Atlanta

Best wishes to all

Listen to Peter Grandich

Posted by Peter Grandich at 8:34 AM on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
  • I spoke on November 1st at the “Surviving and Thriving in a Volatile Market” conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. You can hear my presentation here  Just hit the no button when asked do you want to resume presentation. Tapes of the entire conference are available here
  • The Korelin Radio Show interviewed me last night regarding my Sunday message (here).
  • Geologix Explorations will have a teleconference call today

“You make most of your money in a bear market, you just don’t realize it at the time” Shelby Davis

Update on Farallon Resources (FAN-TSX)

Posted by Peter Grandich at 8:12 PM on Monday, November 17th, 2008

As per the news release of Nov.17, Farallon Resources announced the First Quarter Fiscal 2009 results and provided some clarity on the short-term working capital situation as Farallon ramps-up the G9 deposit to the full design capacity of 1,500 tpd by January 2009. With cash and equivalents of about $16.9 million and a further financing announced on Oct. 17 with a net amount of $6.9 million. The company has well over $23 million in short-term working capital to get the G9 deposit into full production.  As well, with Farallon’s agreement with their concentrate off-taker, they have the ability to request advance payments in the amount of 90% of estimated concentrate value when delivered to the port.

 

With a recently announced (Nov.10th) new 20-month mine plan that incorporates several ways to optimize efficiency at G9 including the use of open stoping mining methods. Farallon is well-positioned from a cash and operational perspective to not only weather the recent down-turns in metal prices, but to benefit from any upside in the metals markets. They intend to mine high grade portions of the Southeast zone at the G9 deposit, which the average zinc grade in that zone is 16.2% Zinc. Like any mining company in these turbulent times, it is imperative to maximize cash flow and minimize costs and Farallon’s management is doing everything they can to maximize the benefit to shareholders over the longer term. If you are a believer in a longer term bull market for metals, then companies like Farallon that can survive through these rough times, should potentially see the most benefit when things eventually turn-around.

 

Farallon’s advantage over its peers is that with both high grades in zinc and by-product credits in copper, gold, silver and lead, this should allow the G9 deposit to be a low cost producer of zinc. With a mine-plan that optimizes the high grade in the near future, it should allow Farallon to operate through 2009 and into 2010 with any improvements in the metals markets to contribute to the cash flows at the operation. From that point, assuming metals markets improve through 2009/2010, then Farallon can get back on track to enhance further exploration on the property to set up for the next stage of growth at the property.

Farallon is a client of Grandich Publications Disclosure