Jordan Craw

A diversified approach is important in any investment strategy. There are varying levels of diversity from Macro to Micro levels. It is commonly accepted that using a combination of property, stocks and cash is a sound diversification strategy on a macro level.

Trading a break of a trend line is one of the oldest technical trading methods around. Like all trading signals, it has its share of false breaks. However, there are a few simple methods to help weed out these false signals.

The last few years have seen Exchange Traded Funds or ETFs, become exceptionally popular, especially in the United States. This popularity is well justified as ETFs offer an easy way of gaining exposure to stock groups and commodities.

Ever written something and upon reading it later realize you didn’t say quite what you meant to? Well that’s exactly what happened recently with my previous article on the hidden foreign exchange risks that often exist in trading instruments based in a currency other than your own.

Forbes recently conducted interviews with a number of billionaires to get their views on the year ahead. When asked about his view on Gold, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban said, "Gold is a religion; it's not an asset class. It is always a bubble, so I am a sell."

2009 was a year of recoveries – for the economy, the financial system and battered stocks. Reading varied financial research over the past few months, there have been a number of themes that are consistent. These being firstly that after the ‘economic sweet spot’ in the third quarter of 2009, the speed of the recovery will slow in 2010. Flowing on from this is the idea that 2010 will see more a stock picker’s market compared to 2009 where almost all ships were lifted with the tide.