tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:27:13 +0000http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/noreply@blogger.com (Nutation)Blogger114125VirtualWallStreethttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-4974016935392024853Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:14:00 +00002009-10-22T20:48:57.333-04:00No doubt you've been asking yourselves, "How's that money supply doing?" Well, it's not doing much.Recall that there isn't just one measure of how much money is in the country. The Fed uses two measures (and used to use three). M1 is currency in circulation plus money in the banks. It is the most liquid measure of money. M2 is M1 plus savings, CDs, and money market funds. That is money not quite http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/JpRSNPTcPdQ/money-supply-still-in-banks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nutation)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/JpRSNPTcPdQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/10/money-supply-still-in-banks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-2550323136677742311Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:35:00 +00002009-10-19T18:17:06.644-04:00Seven-Up for a while used an ad campaign in which it marketed itself as the "un-cola" alternative to cola drinks. In personal finance, COLA is a cost-of-living adjustment written into labor contracts to offset inflation. Social security also has an upwards COLA at the end of each year –– except maybe this year. Why? Well, inflation has been negative. The consumer price index year-over-year has http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/utWoWtotFK4/taste-testing-president-obamas-un-cola.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nutation)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/utWoWtotFK4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/10/taste-testing-president-obamas-un-cola.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-5277186197594874376Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:06:00 +00002009-10-15T13:21:24.604-04:00The return of the Dow Industrial Average to 10,000 is a good excuse to resume blogging.The Dow and other stock indices are, of course, forward-looking indicators of the economy.No doubt, you've watched with greater or lesser interest as the stock market climbs back from its Feb-Mar lows. Investors are anticipating greater spending, as reflected in another measure of the economy, consumer http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/atqc0bQj4BM/confidence-in-dow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nutation)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/atqc0bQj4BM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/10/confidence-in-dow.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-185340389526782974Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:23:00 +00002009-07-01T09:24:55.838-04:00SEE NEW WORLD COMMODITIES ARTICLES NOW!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/tAxhamUUkvo/world-commodities.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/tAxhamUUkvo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/world-commodities.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-4547840034911443373Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:23:00 +00002009-07-01T09:23:38.216-04:00Energy CommoditiesWe at Empire are primarily concerned with metals, but we also keep an eye on Earth=s other limited resources, including energy commodities. Energy commodities are almost synonymous with fossil fuels, mined and sold on global commodities markets.Fossil fuels are believed to be the remains of ancient plant and animal matter, buried and then transformed by geologic processes. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/hSOtf68DJ9I/energy-commodities.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/hSOtf68DJ9I" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/energy-commodities.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-8914514079913204791Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:20:00 +00002009-07-01T09:22:58.526-04:00CoalDescription and HistoryCoal, which is deposits of carbon, has been known since antiquity. Coal is a dark rock of varying hardness, formed from plant remains buried in sediment. Much of this coal formed during the plant-rich Carboniferous Period of around 300 million years ago. Although quite abundant, the coal being mined now will eventually be depleted.Coal is burned as a fossil fuel. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/SxauUcJI3Fw/coal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/SxauUcJI3Fw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/coal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-6391625789249188567Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:19:00 +00002009-07-01T09:20:26.349-04:00Properties and UsesMethane is a very clean-burning fuel, though found in shorter supply than either oil or coal. As a gas, it is also more difficult to transport. Natural gas therefore tends to be more expensive than other fossil fuels.Description and HistoryNatural gas is a fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane, a colorless, odorless gas that is burned for electricity or heat. Although http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/n5dcBtnuYrg/natural-gas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/n5dcBtnuYrg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/natural-gas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-4779610552228206815Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:18:00 +00002009-07-01T09:19:36.010-04:00OilDescription and HistoryNo fossil fuel commands more headlines than oil, petroleum. Petroleum is a fossil fuel consisting of a mixture of carbon compounds (hydrocarbons). Components vary by location and range from very lightweight (including natural gas) to heavy (such as tar).Petroleum seeps up from the ground in places. These natural oil wells were used in ancient times as fuel sources and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/b4LcSdwviP4/oil.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/b4LcSdwviP4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/oil.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-5234827156350178323Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +00002009-07-01T09:18:21.845-04:00Alternative EnergyAlternative energy is a very general term referring to nontraditional sources of electricity. Those traditional sources are out of favor with some political groups because they use exhaustible fuels, they pollute, or both.Alternative sources of energy are often referred to as renewable or sustainable. A renewable source will replenish itself without effort. Examples include http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/YuKSz-AihS0/alternative-energy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/YuKSz-AihS0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/alternative-energy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-1144767373566328431Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:15:00 +00002009-07-01T09:17:17.547-04:00BiofuelDescription and PurposeBiofuel is dead plant or (sometimes) animal matter processed into a more efficient or convenient fuel. Biofuels are produced either from waste, such as plant trimmings, or from deliberately cultivated crops. The most common end products are ethanol, vegetable oil, and what can be called mixed refuse.Biofuels are meant to be an economical and sustainable substitute http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/HRY3pX1qPrg/biofuels.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/HRY3pX1qPrg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/biofuels.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-2473125490404243400Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:13:00 +00002009-07-01T09:15:18.632-04:00Wind PowerDescriptionWind power refers to the use of wind to drive a turbine, generally to create electricity. The wind turbine is the descendent of the windmill looking either like a giant propeller in the air or an eggbeater standing on its head. A row of wind turbines can be hypnotic as they turn slowly together.The usefulness of wind turbines depends a great deal on location. Strong winds arehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/jS6YOzNVSKs/wind-power.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/jS6YOzNVSKs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/wind-power.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-7377619649628825869Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:04:00 +00002009-07-01T09:13:04.175-04:00Solar PowerDescriptionSolar energy refers to using sunlight to generate energy in the form of electricity or heat. Green plants do something like this, turning sunlight and air into sugar. The technology approach is to use large flat panels filled with solar cells, which are silicon wafers (or other semiconductor).Solar cells work because sunlight knocks loose electrons in the material. The http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/w2tywxn8bJk/solar-power.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/w2tywxn8bJk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/solar-power.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-5336518679102802080Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:02:00 +00002009-07-01T09:04:05.392-04:00DescriptionGeothermal power is electricity generated from heat extracted from the earth. Geothermal power is possible in locations with volcanos, hot springs, or magma hot spots. This amounts to regions with tectonic activity, such as the Pacific rim, Africa=s Great Rift Valley, and Iceland.Geothermal power can also be used directly for heating. Hot springs and thermal vents have heated baths andhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/zWHU0_zMviQ/geothermal-power.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/zWHU0_zMviQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/geothermal-power.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-7737767321246523281Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:59:00 +00002009-07-01T09:02:24.774-04:00Water PowerDescriptionWater power is a category that encompasses several methods of generating electricity from the movement of water. Hydroelectric power from dams is the most important method, but other sources include tides, waves, and miscellaneous less common sources. Water power is sustainable because it comes ultimately from the sun=s energy driving the water cycle of rain and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/jGQjOdtnCCA/water-power.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/jGQjOdtnCCA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/07/water-power.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-5398211391907958029Thu, 28 May 2009 23:26:00 +00002009-07-01T08:58:45.337-04:00Check this site daily for new content- also check any of our sites or blogs by clicking the big VIRTUAL WALL STREET banner at the TOP of this page! Our team is feeling the econ and stock market recovery - and we are getting charged up to start putting out more content. Stay tuned! The Virtual Wall Street Teamhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/W9_huCQY3l4/new-content-coming-soon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/W9_huCQY3l4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/05/new-content-coming-soon.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-6820759278049240400Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:00:00 +00002009-01-11T01:35:39.901-05:00VWS Post #1- In The BeginningAs promised- the content will begin now. I thought about starting the blog from about 50 years ago and then working my way forward- but then I thought - why not just add three zeros and start at around 50,000. BC (give or take a couple of millenia). You may think this odd coming from an investment blog- but as you will see if you follow through until post 37 or so- priorities are actually coming http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/qEtT7rDnWEQ/vws-post-1-in-beginning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonathan)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/qEtT7rDnWEQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2009/01/vws-post-1-in-beginning.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-4732390922753435559Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:58:00 +00002009-01-11T01:13:20.118-05:00V Winner POST #2- The American DreamAs you can see- I'm just painting the broad strokes and personal observations- details will follow. We covered almost 50,000. years in Post #1- and can't expect too many details from a one-page post. As the posts progress the details will make the picture clearer- but at this point I'm really just making these generalities to prove a point.1908 to 1958 was another block of incredible change at anhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/o_Yb_6QNVUA/v-winner-post-2-1908-to-1958-american.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/o_Yb_6QNVUA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-2-1908-to-1958-american.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-7603566016568716832Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:57:00 +00002009-01-11T01:13:00.763-05:00V Winner POST #3- The Information AgeWell if you have bothered to read this far then you either think that I have too much time on my hands or there must be screw loose. Why is Jon talking about cavemen and the the Korean War. I came to this blog to discuss investments?! Be patient my friends. I am convinced that if I spend enough time discussing what ails us- we will build a team- and be able to counter the coming issues which willhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/_93olFkt3ks/v-winner-post-3-information-age.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/_93olFkt3ks" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-3-information-age.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-8898020712053802452Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:56:00 +00002009-01-11T01:12:38.208-05:00V WInner Post #4- A Tribute To Michael HodgesAs I told you the first three posts were really pretty much a little rambling on my part. For some strange reason I always feel the need to start at the beginning and work my way forward- perhaps this is a waste of time- but it helps me to feel more organized. From this point on we will begin focusing more on hard facts and hard data.Before I begin what will most likely be a multi-dozen post http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/lpD9NOYQ9XY/v-winner-post-4-tribute-to-michael.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/lpD9NOYQ9XY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-4-tribute-to-michael.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-8899998048349345989Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:55:00 +00002009-01-11T01:12:20.403-05:00V Winner Post #5- The Population BOMBI love the line in A Few Good Men where Colonel Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson) tells Kafee (Tom Cruise), "You can't handle the truth!" Well, let's see if our new Virtual Wall Street audience can handle it........Before I post an article I wrote for a report I did recently on the value of metals as an investment, let me take a moment for a few observations. Recently we have heard the term 'peak http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/0RCJcR8aIIQ/v-winner-post-5-population-bomb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/0RCJcR8aIIQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-5-population-bomb.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-1788855918579666560Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:54:00 +00002009-01-11T01:12:00.759-05:00V Winner Post #5-A Population Bomb Pictorialhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/sXM7D62_3T0/v-winner-post-6-population-bomb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/sXM7D62_3T0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-6-population-bomb.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-4197276649138750353Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:53:00 +00002009-01-11T01:11:44.197-05:00V Winner Post #7- Global Economic ExpansionThis is an article I wrote a little over a year ago- and it is both positive and negative. Basically, U.S. GDP has grown substantially- which is good. The bad news is that over time our share of world GDP is shrinking as developing countries show more rapid annualized GDP growth.Historic Gross World Product*http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/_ZmXa2CPNtI/v-winner-post-7-global-economic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/_ZmXa2CPNtI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-7-global-economic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-103823273219980964Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:52:00 +00002009-01-11T01:11:24.360-05:00V Winner Post #7- Global Econ Expansion in Pictureshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/Fmz3IZv2KUk/v-winner-post-7-global-econ-expansion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/Fmz3IZv2KUk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-7-global-econ-expansion.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-1313954137385512666Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:51:00 +00002009-01-21T17:49:35.451-05:00V Winner Post #8 - US National DebtKeep in mind- as is the case with my entire series- many of the articles are a year or more old, and as such some of the numbers have changed. One thing that will really skew trade imbalance going forward is 100$ + crude. At 100$ per barrel we could easily end up spending in the range of 10 TRILLION dollars over the next decade on imported crude. For now let us take a look at our national http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/eioBOp5lM_8/v-winner-post-8-us-national-debt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/eioBOp5lM_8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-8-us-national-debt.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989585072252586403.post-6422530342905597866Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:45:00 +00002009-01-21T17:50:15.314-05:00V Winner Post #9- New York is Still the LeaderThe good news is that New York and the US financial markets are still the dominant leaders in the world financial markets. Our stock and commodity exchanges far exceed the dollar volume of any other exchange on Earth. Our talent, access to capital, and liquidity are staggering. Many believe that Wall Street has too much liquidity chasing after too few quality 'deals'. In New York, this is called http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~3/8WrVW2hGRdM/v-winner-post-9-new-york-is-still.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Winner)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/VirtualWallStreet/~4/8WrVW2hGRdM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.virtualwallstreet.net/2008/07/v-winner-post-9-new-york-is-still.html