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

Gold conspiracy? - Not a believer in a Gold conspiracy and there is no evidence that gold is being manipulated. This thinking does not help you to invest.

Zinc: - In the last 12 months, base metal prices ran substantially, especially zinc. Inventories are historically low and prices in all these commodities are very expensive. Believes institutional money has come into the market looking for a hedge against devaluation of the US$.

Gold Investing: - No one is going to get rich investing in gold in the next 5 years. Gold, base metals, housing, commodities, Euro and stocks have all run up. Contra-cyclical markets are now running pro-cyclical. At the late stages of a credit cycle, everything is moving with liquidity. As liquidity expands, everything rises. As it contracts, everything falls. This is what is starting to happen.

Deflation: - Deflation will bring bullion down. Inflation that has occurred in the last 7 years was not currency inflation, but credit inflation. Fed's main goal was not to print Federal reserve notes; it was fostering expansion of credit. Difference is that credit can be extinguished much faster than the Fed is able to print currency. When the $ denominated value of debt declines on a currency inflation, that is deflation.

Deflation: - Doesn't agree that deflation will bring bullion down. First of all, deflation is a low probability event.

Energy sector: -There is a lot of value in the energy sector, but the market doesn't care right now and he thinks that will continue. There will be a magnificent buying opportunity coming, but it is not today.

Income trusts: - Too early. The problem with the trusts is that too many of them are junior stocks. In recessions and down markets, junior stocks get ravaged.

US large cap for safety: - A frightening idea. A lot of the US large cap companies have a tremendous amount of downside, especially the financial sector.

Energy sector: -There is absolutely value in this sector. There will be many more mergers/acquisitions taking place, particularly from the trust side.

Income trusts: - Likes to buy these when they are undervalued. Has a number of these. Likes to see 35/40% upside available, not including distributions.

Oil Sands: - Owns nothing in the oil sands. Prefers companies that have cash flow and earnings. In terms of the feeding frenzy to get into the tar sands, he’s not there.

US Recession: - Doesn’t see a recession, only a slowdown. Lower gasoline prices is helping the consumer. A chicken little scenario.

Financials: - Has no bank stocks or Canadian insurance companies. However, US life companies are dirt-cheap. He is able to buy them well below book and break-up value.

Oil Sands: - One of the last open ended sources of oil reserves on the planet. Nothing has happened which is quite surprising. The cost of development has escalated tremendously.

US Recession: - Has concerns about the US consumer in 2007. David Dodge, Governor of the Bank of Canada is concerned about this as well as a global recession.