Happy New Year

My prediction for 2006? Growth in infrastructure and environmental technologies. IE: heavy industries like CATERPILLAR (CAT) . I am also going to go out on a limb: GM will rebound. As much as I don't like what GM is making now (they have pushed back good car technologies as far as they can), I think they will come out swinging with new technologies and leap ahead of their competitors. OK maybe not in 2006 but in five years....

Turn that yield curve frown upside down:
What can be positive about an inverted yield curve? I think the fed is managing inflation well. Sustainable growth is good. Rates on long term bonds are lower than short term rates because... well I have no idea. I can see the brighter side of this because the curve in the early 90's, after a hard real estate market, fortold low inflation and high tech investment.


The big question is what will drive growth? Investment in infrastructure is very likely, especially abroad. I think people will want more efficient cars, a shorter trip to work (but not at home), more time to travel, a good environment, a way to retire in good health, and possible a fantastic future in space. Fashion and trendy electronics are falling off (I am overwhelmed by choices and don't really want anything to pass time in my house or ot a station)

Surf Notes:
Billibong is buying Nixon watches, and Reef is supplying surfboard blanks ( a big supplier suddenly stopped)
How much more can surf companies grow? China? India? I think alternative sports companies can grow.

Wind Energy, Suzlon Energy Ltd

I found this company on the KLD Global Climate 100 Index fund site.


Suzlon Energy is in Pune India.
http://www.suzlon.com/
Yahoo finance has their ticker as suzlon.ns and KLD has it as SUEL:BSE.


The web site claims Suzlon is among the top ten in the industry and owns one of the largest wind farms in asia.
The site also claims John Deere as client (among 7 listed in their 30 years of experience).

1000+ employees.

I can't find many financial statements for this company except the 2nd 2005 quarter. I am also not familiar with Indian stock markets (for instance the BSE Bombay or NSE National Stock Exchange). The company had its IPO in lat September. In October the price was around 630 Rs and is listed as 931 Rs. 12/16/05.

However I am curious about Indian markets and this company.
info@suzlon_usa.com
icicidirect

MY Holiday List

It's hard not to be in the shopping mood, so here are my stocks to buy for other people

BP for my Mom
GMCR for my dog who likes coffee
WFMI for my Cousins
VFC for my SIS
PEP for my Bro since he works for Coke hehehe
IDA for my Grandma
CAT for my Girls
TM for my Neices
BBT for my Pops
ESLR for my solar friend
ZQK for my surfing bro's
and I'll take a little BP for myself too (ps I already have some BP and that's it right now).
Just so I (and anyone else) can keep track of the buys.....
( I have a tendancy to " forget" my practice buy prices)

...here's the long list of 20 for the new years to come....we'll see how I do in a few months

  
) INDEX STOCK Ticker
 
 Industry
 
 Price 12/13/05 
  
ener 
 
Alt Energy
 
 $36.64 
  
fcel 
 
Alt Energy
 
 $8.40 
  
eslr 
 
Alt Energy
 
 $12.05 
  
bp  
 
Energy
 
 $66.88 
  
vfc  
 
Clothes/Xsports
 
 $58.28 
  
zqk 
 
X Sports 
 
$12.49 
  
unfi 
 
Food Distributor
 
 $28.54 
  
gmcr 
 
 Coffee
 
 $40.89 
  
wfmi  
 
Grocery
 
 $152.33 
  
oats 
 
Grocery
 
 $11.52 
  
zbra 
 
RFID 
 
$43.88 
  
vclm 
 
X Sports 
 
$33.39 
  
cat 
 
Heavy Machines
 
 $58.97 
  
peix 
 
Alt Energy
 
 $8.95 
  
ida  
 
Power Co 
 
$29.40 
  
bbt  
 
Bank 
 
$43.08 
  
pep 
 
Food 
 
$58.97 
  
tm 
 
Auto 
 
$98.68 
  
xsnx.ob
 
 Alt Energy
 
 $0.56 
  
yhoo 
 
Internet
 
 $41.20 

Alternative Energy

ENER
Energy Conversion Devices looks to be a profitable choice in alternative energy. They have profits ($1.39 eps) and growing sales +/- 5%. The company has had recognition for its LiIon Battery technology. Short term trouble is the growing short ratio, which says more people are shorting the stock. However, long term investors may be better off with a stock that makes profits thatn an upstart with interesting technology.

Many others like SunPower (SPWR) do not seem to have the business to stay on top of the game, especially if their patents don't last until their business takes off.

Another company I am worried about is Electro Energy Inc (EEEI), a company that makes replacement NiCAD batteries for cars. I think that military contracts help, but are not an indicator that the business will do well. Panasonic is a major competitor and the current provider of batteries for the Toyota's Prius. I hope to find out if Toyota may use Lithium Ion Batteries soon.

The surfing world is continually trying to improve the sustainablity of the world. Surfer's that are giving to social projects like Malaria eradication:
SurfAid International
Surfer's Path
location of dolphin surf pic by Josh Kimballon the Surfer's Path web site