Is recovery on the way?

I am sure this is on many people's mind right now.

My answer is maybe. The real bottom, I guess, would be reached this quarter. It is going to be a seesaw. Consider these:

• The stock market a few weeks ago started inching up, so are the prices of commodities including oil and others.
• Many analysts upgraded their outlook on bank profits. Indeed, no recent or imminent bank failures were seen on the horizon the past few weeks.
• Consumer spending has risen by 2.2 percent in the US.
• Hundreds of billions of bailouts will start streaming its way to the economy by way of infrastructure projects in a month or two.
• Retail sales and orders by manufacturers seemed to have stabilized in the US.

All things considered, including swine flu, my guess is, the world recession will be over in the third or fourth quarter.

A march to recovery will be in full swing by next year, and the stock market would recover, earlier than I predicted.

I know this is very optimistic. But the signs and indicators show that the bottom would be reached or would be over by summer depending on how you assess and interpret the information around.

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Be wary, be careful, and trade at your own risk. Good luck.

Rep. Jovito Palparan

I am for human rights, without political leanings. Fairly and squarely, whatever that means.

On the news today from PDI:

“I challenge them to denounce the New People’s Army. I will tell them to say they are not part of the NPA. I want to hear that from them. Otherwise, mamamatay tao sila (they are killers),” Palparan said in an interview with the Inquirer. Posing a challenge to Fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), Gabriela, etc.

You know what? Rep. Jovito Palparan maybe right. I could not think differently but agree with him.

Why?

My friend, who has been activist for years told me once that:

Fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), Gabriela, etc. are FRONTS OF THE NPA.

Is this true? Are they really NPA fronts? My friend assured me they are.

If they are, then both sides, accusing the other of human rights violations, are both hypocrites.

Maybe be it is about time na magpakatotoo sila, at manahimik.

Is it time to get back into trading stocks?

Have we reach the bottom?

Consider this:

• For the first time since 2007, Wall Street had six winning weeks in a row.
• Dow Jones industrial average was up 5.90 points, or 0.07 percent, to 8,131.33, while the broader Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index was 4.30 points, or 0.5 percent, higher at 869.60. The Nasdaq gained 2.63 points, or 0.16 percent, to 1,673.07.
• Shares of Citigroup closed 9 percent lower, at $3.65. But its worth was less than a dollar last month.

Maybe we are currently at the top, and a correction is about to happen. So, Is it time to get back into trading stocks?

I have two answers:

1. I think, yes, provided you are investing for the long term. The correction which could possibly happen next week would not matter, for certainly, the stock market would be up up there (higher) next year and the year that will follow. Just choose your stocks wisely.

2. But if you are a day trader, or a short term trader, I think, no, I shall wait for a correction, before I buy. There has to be a correction before a new highs is reached. Here is a quote:

“The market has had an enormous run since early March, and it’s overbought,” Nick Kalivas of MF Global said. “I’m not sure I really want to be a chaser of the market up here.”
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PS. I am not a pro, seek a professional adviser before you trade. Trade at your own risk :).

Chicken a la Carte - A short film about the hunger and poverty brought about by Globalization

Posting this.

It touched me. It's sad; and at the same time I feel grateful of what I have.

Watch and learn how some poor Pinoys survive.

What's the future?

Viewed this, and I am amazed. Listen to MICHIO KAKU talked about our civilization, where it is headed, and why we are in crucial times:

New PNR, New Trains, New Rails, and New Stations

I do not like GMA, but I have to admit that what she has done with the Philippine National Railways may become her legacy. And this is one of this administration's project that I appreciate.

On the news today:

“This project will provide an efficient transport service between Metro Manila, Central and Northern Luzon, it will reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila and encourage urban development to other areas,” Bello said, adding that the supplemental loan does not represent the total cost of the project.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that based on the report of Philippine National Railways (PNR) chairman Michael Defensor, six of the nine PNR stations would be inaugurated in April. Remonde said that the Sucat-Calamba leg will be operational by May, and the Calamba-Bicol portion, by September.

Here are some photos:
New Trains, there will be 18 of this set ordered from Rotem in Korea.
New Stations.
And new Rails without the illegal settlers (squatters). Most of them were provided with housing through NHA - through the hard, and impossible work of Kabayan Noli De Castro. Congrats Po!

It was impossible, it was difficult, but it happened. If you want to read more about this entry, and want to see more pics of all stations (where more than xyz,000 families were evicted - and now clean), hehehe, visit these forums:

Photos are not mine, I borrowed them from the forums below :).

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=702074&page=468
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=839106