04/07/2008

Amber Waves of Grain

Hello:

Price of Gold Skyrockets! Price of Oil Hits New Highs! Iran Poses a Major Threat! Gallon of Gas Costs over One Dollar!!!!

One Dollar?

The headlines of 1978 are very similar to the headlines of 2008. Coincidence? Maybe not.

Just as the Middle East has in the past, they are threatening to restrict our oil supply again.

So what do we have to bargain with? We can bargain with Media Entertainment, Telecommunications Equipment, Technological Advances, Medical Research, and especially.... FOOD!

That's right. We may soon be back to an "oil for food" strategy of negotiation. Luckily, the US of A has some of the best arable land in the world, and some of the best agricultural research.

Not only does the Middle East, due to sparse arable land and due to other reasons, need food imports, but also many of the emerging economies are importing more food (primarily due to the increased birthrates as a corollary to improving economic conditions).

Please note the following headlines:

Financial Times (FT)/ 03/01/2008: The Biggest Baby Boom in History is Unfolding Before Our Eyes...[in]...Uganda.

FT/03/28/2008: Fears Rise of Unrest Across Asia as Rice Price Surges 30% in a Day.

FT/04/02/2008: Countries Rush to Restrict [Export] Trade in Basic Foods. 

So, in general,  not only do we find alternative energy an interesting sector, but also, we find agriculture an industry of interest.

Would you like complimentary online access to your portfolio? Please email ray@trisummit.com regarding the LPL Account Access program.

Terri G. Millson, CIMA, CIMC President

Ray Dicius, CSA, GEPC LPL Branch Manager