---
title: "Investment Smorgasbord"
url: https://independentstockanalysis.com/investment-smorgasbord-7/
description: "The U.S. Housing Bust is Over ( WSJ ). “Vacancies are dropping rapidly on the back of a significant and growing shortage of housing in the market.” (…"
published: 2012-07-11
updated: 2012-07-11
---

# Investment Smorgasbord

Published 2012-07-11

Posted on

by

J.J. Butler

The U.S. Housing Bust is Over ([WSJ](http://online.wsj.com/article/capital.html)). “Vacancies are dropping rapidly on the back of a significant and growing shortage of housing in the market.” ([Economist](http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/07/housing-markets)). Anecdotal news reports such as Des Moines home sales increase 14% from June 2011 seem ubiquitous ([Des Moines Register](http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120711/BUSINESS/307110016/-1/MARKETPLACE/Des-Moines-home-sales-increase-14-from-June-2011?nclick_check=1)).

Nick Barisheff on $10,000 gold ([Minyanville](http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/precious-metals/articles/gold2527s-bull-run-precious-metals-gold/7/6/2012/id/42221)). The comparison of the current gold stock bull market (LOL?) to the 60’s and 70’s was particularly interesting: [Daily Gold](http://thedailygold.com/the-gold-stocks-compared-to-past-bull-markets/). Yet even mighty Goldcorp seems to be a serial disappointer at [Yahoo](http://finance.yahoo.com/news/goldcorp-announces-second-quarter-gold-210500563.html). But the fundamentals are not in doubt, as There is no exit plan ([Gold Money](http://www.goldmoney.com/gold-research/chris-marcus/there-is-no-exit-plan.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)) while the mainstream still has no idea how to even look at gold ([Dismal Optimist](http://www.thedismaloptimist.com/dismal_optimist.html)).

ECRI’s Achuthan: We’re in a recession already from [Ritholtz](http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2012/07/ecris-achuthan-were-in-a-recession-already/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter).

“I am presently long Bonds for a swing trade because I believe the market is driving to the final high. Wherever this high is, it is likely to be a high for 50 or more years.” [Peter Brandt](http://peterlbrandt.com/treasury-bonds-in-final-blow-off-stage-of-30-year-bull-market/)

Three doves coo louder and one hawk stands firm at the [WSJ](http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/07/09/fed-speak-3-doves-coo-louder-1-hawk-stands-firm/). I speculate the strike price for the ‘Bernanke put’ is continually rising, but here is another take: [Zero Hedge](http://www.zerohedge.com/news/bernanke-put-strike-now-1200-sp-500).

Corn: Sell the news. ” The USDA report, released early Wednesday, detailed a 12% reduction in acreage yield, on what had been a record-breaking planting for corn this spring.” [Marketwatch](http://www.marketwatch.com/story/corn-gives-up-gains-after-poor-harvest-forecast-2012-07-11?link=MW_latest_news)

College as an indentured student program: [Bloomberg](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-09/indentured-students-rise-as-loans-corrode-college-ticket.html)