Invest in What Happened 20 Years Ago
Posted by Steven Friedman on
April 23, 2010
This article is a ripper. It looks at the aging demographic in Western countries, and finds a correlation in the makeup of Japanese society 20 odd years ago. It seems the boom and corresponding bust there is, in many ways, a template for the recent Global Financial Crisis. Here’s the sweet bit - if true, Japan’s experience could be a good tip as to what to invest in next. Boomers, boom on.
Predicting Economic Crashes Through Architecture
Posted by Steven Friedman on
January 14, 2010
An interesting story came out recently in The Christian Science Monitor. According to research by Mark Thorton, an economic crash in a particular country or region can be predicted by a spate of ‘world’s tallest buildings’ in that area. It seems tallest buildings are usually a result of factors often leading up to economic slumps - interest rate and price distortions, and a feeling that things can only ever keep on improving.
Known as “The Skyscaper Index”, this chart reveals that such an analysis isn’t foolproof - but it does get things right more often than not.
Source: The Christian Science Monitor
This may be a classic case of Warren Buffet’s maxim, “Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful”. Time to short against China, anyone?
