May 28, 2008

Falling Asset Classes
by Bob Hoye

Meltdown In Base Metal Prices:

• Our index, including nickel, set its rebound high at 2449 on March 5.

• The initial decline was to 1983 near the end of March.

• The next rally made it to 2123 in the middle of April.

• Today, the index was at 1754, down 3.6% from yesterday, and 9.4% from last Friday.

• This is down 28% from the March high and decisively takes out the interim low of 1983.

• The panic low in December was 1763. The cyclical high was 3201 in May, 2007.

* * * * *

Grain Prices Are Toast:

• Our index of corn, wheat and soybeans set its high at 3094 at the end of February.

• The initial slump was to 2393 on March 20.

• The rebound made it to 2646 in the middle of April.

• Yesterday's 2391 is down 23% from the high and at the point of failure.

* * * * *

The talking heads on TV as well as many commodity experts are still going on about soaring prices, but these two important sectors have had their blow offs and have failed.

In some cases such as copper, lead, nickel and wheat their bull markets accomplished the biggest percentage gains in over a hundred years. That is real terms as deflated by the PPI and the gains were greater, by far, than those with the typical bull market or even the best previous. Some examples follow.

The game to load up novitiates with commodities began some time ago and has come to fruition on this business cycle.

"Pork Bellies in Your Pension

"The bullish case is being vigorously espoused. Goldman Sachs...one of the loudest advocates of commodities has been urging large funds to keep 5% of their portfolios in commodities.

- Financial Times November 7, 1994

Financial institutions "investing" in commodities will eventually be seen as a great policy blunder. While a breach of fiduciary responsibility, the blunder has been in response to the most magnificent blunder in financial history - the sure thing that central bankers will be able to depreciate their currencies forever. This has been an ancient practice to serve ambitious government, and an insidious breach of accountability--otherwise known as policymaking.

When this writer started with Canada's premier investment dealer in 1963, the notion prevailing at the highest levels was that institutions should be mainly positioned in high-grade bonds. This was safe as chronic inflation was a disease that only afflicted Europe, or banana republics. This could not happen in Canada, or the US, and high-grade bonds would not increase in yield beyond 5%. The high was 15% in 1981, when bonds were universally scorned.

What asset class will fail next?

COPPER
BIGGEST BULL MARKETS SINCE 1900
(ADJUSTED BY PPI)

• This one was published in May 2006 and that high in the real price still holds.

• The subsequent decline ran into February, 2008 and amounted to 40%.

• The rebound in the nominal LME price made it to 403 in early April.

• The current price is 375.

LEAD
BIGGEST BULL MARKETS SINCE 1900
(ADJUSTED FOR PPI)

• The October high still holds.

• The initial decline into January amounted to 37%.

• In nominal terms the October high was 3958 and the December low was 2340.

• The rebound high was 3399 in March.

• The current price is 1996.

CRUDE OIL
BIGGEST BULL MARKETS SINCE 1900
(DEFLATED BY PPI)

Source: TheChartStore.com

• The table compares all of the big bull markets over the past 100 years. It does not attempt to analyse the technical or timing dynamics, but establishes perspective.

• At +715%, this bull market has racked up the biggest gain, which is outstanding compared to the previous best at +464% to the sensational high in 1980.

• Over the past year, similar extraordinary gains, for example, recorded by wheat, copper, lead and nickel.

• Often crude oil can make an important seasonal high in March. If this doesn't work out there are examples of an even bigger seasonal high in May.

Link to Friday, May 23, 2008 'Bob and Phil Show' on Howestreet.com:http://www.howestreet.com/index.php?pl=/goldradio/index.php/mediaplayer/863

Bob Hoye
Institutional Advisors

The opinions in this report are solely those of the author. The information herein was obtained from various sources; however we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. This research report is prepared for general circulation and is circulated for general information only. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this report. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed or recommended in this report and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. Investors should note that income from such securities, if any, may fluctuate and that each securitys price or value may rise or fall. Accordingly, investors may receive back less than originally invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

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Copyright © 2003-2009 Bob Hoye

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