A Comment -- General Comments From an Expert (A Commentary)

(Market Call Minute.) Global bonds. Have had a good run because of dropping interest rates. Doesn't know that they will come down much further. Consider moving to corporate bonds.

(Market Call Minute.) Gold. Doesn't think he will lose money on this in 2009. You won't make a lot but you want to hold some in your portfolio.

Sprott Gold & Precious Minerals fund. There're very few ways to play the juniors metals stocks as a group. This is one of the few funds that specializes in that. A way to get exposure to juniors without trying to pick them individually.

Santa wants to wish all of you a very happy holiday and great success in the new year. Santa

Canadian Banks: Buy and write covered calls while electing dividends? Thinks dividends are reasonably safe. (Bank of Montreal (BMO-T) has questionable dividends of over 9.39%.) Options are trading at prices that have not been seen for many years so this is an excellent strategy for the next 3 to 6 months.

Market Call Tonight has a wine sommelier talking about wines. No stocks tonight. Happy Holidays Everyone. Bill

Gold: In times of uncertainty, investors should look at gold. If you believe there is any form of inflation becoming through this injection of liquidity, gold should help you.

Natural Gas: Gas storage inventory is comparable to where it has been over the last 5 years. However, industry is not using as much in the slower economy. Also, some people can substitute oil for gas. Unlikely to see a run-up unless there is an extremely cold winter.

Tonight's show was a repeat of Dec 17 with Peter Breiger.

(A Top Pick Dec 28/07. Down 5%.) GMAC Canada 5.10% maturing April 30,2009. Much better shape than GM US. Thinks he will get paid at maturity.

(A Top Pick Dec 28/07. No change.) National Bank 4.70% maturing Nov 2/2020. Well-capitalized bank.

(Market Call Minute.) Ontario 10-Year bond and the spreads you are given to own provincials are advantageous.

Canadian Banks: He sees nothing that gets him excited. National Bank has upside of 38%, Bank of Montreal is 10%, CIBC is 0.8%, TD is 0.4%, Royal is negative 2% and BNS is negative 3.5%.

Gold: Has go a lot higher. A large portion of the US debt has to be monetized. Expects the US$ to roll over.

REITS are undervalued and under pressure. Acquisitions are being put on hold. Economics is based on who has cash, room on their credit line and debt maturity in the near term. Lodging REITS are cutting their distribution and having a hard time. The largest REITS are usually retail oriented. The smaller, high end retail companies are the ones that are going under.