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Monday, May 31, 2010
TSE- Volume Leaders
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Silver As An Investment?
Emotions play a very important role in our lives. Being human, it is the one thing that separates us from machine.
Machines capable of true emotions is the stuff of fantasy. For years, man has tried to create machines with artificial intelligence capable of exhibiting real human emotions.
None have succeeded.
But so much of our lives are run by machines created without emotion. This was clearly evident when the Dow dropped close to 1000 points in less than a few minutes, spurred by a chain reaction of computer glitches and human emotional events.
So while there is no such robot that can exhibit real emotions, there is a metal that can. We call it the human metal.
Silver - The Human Metal
Nothing demonstrates the mood swings of today's markets better than the price of silver.
Call it silver's split personality: It's both a precious metal investors turn to for safety and an industrial metal that gets dragged down on signs of economic weakness.
When gold moves, silver moves. When base metals moves, silver moves as well. Silver is a metal that can move with both gold, and copper.
So while investors turn to precious metals on concerns of Europe's debt crisis, the growing concerns over a potential slowdown in China has caused the price of silver to go in both directions. A tug of war, if you will.
That makes silver tough to predict. One week it's flirting with the high price of gold, while the next it's lured away by copper, zinc and lead. Silver's behaviour reminds me of my ex -- seeing wild mood swings from one day to the next. But there is one big difference between the two: I can make money with silver.
And there is no better time to do this than the present.
While silver has been volatile, the price is expected to continue rising due to flat supply, rising industrial demand in China, a North American recovery, as well as continued strong investment demand, according to a report released Thursday by London-based metals firm GFMS Ltd.
The report shows world investment demand for silver nearly doubled in 2009 to a whopping 216 million ounces, compared with the year before. That's a value of about $3.2-billion on an average price of $14.67 per ounce in 2009. Of those investments, about 137 million ounces were from silver exchange-traded funds, a 184-per-cent year-over-year increase - the highest level in the past 20 years.
Silver bullion coins are also being snatched up at record pace. As of May 26, the American Silver Eagles sales has already reached 3.5 million. This is closing in on the all-time monthly record of 3,696,000 set in December 1986.
The demand for silver is not just growing, it's exploding.
But there's a problem.
Silver supplies are running low. Real low. Just take a look at the 2009 results:
Despite being a precious metal, silver has also been dramatically affected by industrial demand - not to mention the possibility of price manipulation (see The Silver Conspiracy). So while the price of silver should move with gold, it has been hampered by industrial demand.
Silver has tracked copper prices many times over the past year, during which time economic growth was substantially hindered. But as economies around the world recover and grow in 2010, demand for industrial use silver will, too.
Signs of industrial demand are already picking up strongly. According to GFMS' executive chairman Philip Klapwijk, this expected growth in industrial demand for silver may lead the white metal to outperform gold in 2010...and have silver reach $20 an ounce "in the next couple of months."
You can see why our stance on silver and silver plays remains strong. The key to investing is diversification. This year, our key is to diversify into different precious metals plays.
Can't Hide the Truth
Let's be real. The US dollar has recently shown its strength. But that's only because the Euro is on the verge of destruction. Contrary to popular belief, the US dollar will remain strong in the long run. However, it will only remain strong against other world currencies - not gold and silver.
We already know that the European Union is in trouble and is printing money to salvage what they can. Citizens in those countries are already scrambling to buy gold and silver coins to protect themselves from their own currency.
But the EU is not the only one in trouble. This problem still exists in the US.
Back in our December 6, 2009 issue, "The Impressive News Release," the US national debt sat at just over $12 trillion. That's roughly $111,045 of debt per US taxpayer.
Today, it has already surpassed $13 trillion. The debt load per US taxpayer is now $118,058 - and growing.
That's an astounding $1 trillion of borrowed money in six months. And it happened right under your nose.
The Greece crisis was one thing, but you may not realise that many of the US states are in even worst shape.
Surprised?
Don't worry, we're sure Uncle Sam will bail these guys out. This will ultimately lead to more printed money...and higher gold and silver prices.
Machines capable of true emotions is the stuff of fantasy. For years, man has tried to create machines with artificial intelligence capable of exhibiting real human emotions.
None have succeeded.
But so much of our lives are run by machines created without emotion. This was clearly evident when the Dow dropped close to 1000 points in less than a few minutes, spurred by a chain reaction of computer glitches and human emotional events.
So while there is no such robot that can exhibit real emotions, there is a metal that can. We call it the human metal.
Silver - The Human Metal
Nothing demonstrates the mood swings of today's markets better than the price of silver.
Call it silver's split personality: It's both a precious metal investors turn to for safety and an industrial metal that gets dragged down on signs of economic weakness.
When gold moves, silver moves. When base metals moves, silver moves as well. Silver is a metal that can move with both gold, and copper.
So while investors turn to precious metals on concerns of Europe's debt crisis, the growing concerns over a potential slowdown in China has caused the price of silver to go in both directions. A tug of war, if you will.
That makes silver tough to predict. One week it's flirting with the high price of gold, while the next it's lured away by copper, zinc and lead. Silver's behaviour reminds me of my ex -- seeing wild mood swings from one day to the next. But there is one big difference between the two: I can make money with silver.
And there is no better time to do this than the present.
While silver has been volatile, the price is expected to continue rising due to flat supply, rising industrial demand in China, a North American recovery, as well as continued strong investment demand, according to a report released Thursday by London-based metals firm GFMS Ltd.
The report shows world investment demand for silver nearly doubled in 2009 to a whopping 216 million ounces, compared with the year before. That's a value of about $3.2-billion on an average price of $14.67 per ounce in 2009. Of those investments, about 137 million ounces were from silver exchange-traded funds, a 184-per-cent year-over-year increase - the highest level in the past 20 years.
Silver bullion coins are also being snatched up at record pace. As of May 26, the American Silver Eagles sales has already reached 3.5 million. This is closing in on the all-time monthly record of 3,696,000 set in December 1986.
The demand for silver is not just growing, it's exploding.
But there's a problem.
Silver supplies are running low. Real low. Just take a look at the 2009 results:
- Net silver supply from above-ground stocks dropped by 86 percent in 2009.
- Scrap silver supply dropped for the third consecutive year and hit a new 13-year low of 165.7 million ounces.
- Government silver stocks reached their lowest levels in over a decade.
Despite being a precious metal, silver has also been dramatically affected by industrial demand - not to mention the possibility of price manipulation (see The Silver Conspiracy). So while the price of silver should move with gold, it has been hampered by industrial demand.
Silver has tracked copper prices many times over the past year, during which time economic growth was substantially hindered. But as economies around the world recover and grow in 2010, demand for industrial use silver will, too.
Signs of industrial demand are already picking up strongly. According to GFMS' executive chairman Philip Klapwijk, this expected growth in industrial demand for silver may lead the white metal to outperform gold in 2010...and have silver reach $20 an ounce "in the next couple of months."
You can see why our stance on silver and silver plays remains strong. The key to investing is diversification. This year, our key is to diversify into different precious metals plays.
Can't Hide the Truth
Let's be real. The US dollar has recently shown its strength. But that's only because the Euro is on the verge of destruction. Contrary to popular belief, the US dollar will remain strong in the long run. However, it will only remain strong against other world currencies - not gold and silver.
We already know that the European Union is in trouble and is printing money to salvage what they can. Citizens in those countries are already scrambling to buy gold and silver coins to protect themselves from their own currency.
But the EU is not the only one in trouble. This problem still exists in the US.
Back in our December 6, 2009 issue, "The Impressive News Release," the US national debt sat at just over $12 trillion. That's roughly $111,045 of debt per US taxpayer.
Today, it has already surpassed $13 trillion. The debt load per US taxpayer is now $118,058 - and growing.
That's an astounding $1 trillion of borrowed money in six months. And it happened right under your nose.
Surprised?
Don't worry, we're sure Uncle Sam will bail these guys out. This will ultimately lead to more printed money...and higher gold and silver prices.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Questerre Derisking Significant Utica Shale Gas Resource
Questerre Derisking Significant Utica Shale Gas Resource
00:48 EDT Monday, May 17, 2010
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 17, 2010) -
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION ON U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Questerre Energy Corporation ("Questerre" or the "Company") (TSX:QEC)(OSLO:QEC) reported today on its operating and financial results for the first quarter of 2010.
Michael Binnion, President and Chief Executive Officer of Questerre, commented, "The St. Edouard horizontal well results in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Quebec, marked the beginning of a new chapter for Questerre."
Mr. Binnion added, "Our primary goal now is to continue derisking our significant discovered Utica shale gas resource. Over the next 12 months, subject to results, our goals are to add three to six additional results to the ongoing pilot program, acquire 3-D seismic, construct a 'first gas' pipeline and see passage of new hydrocarbon legislation."
Highlights
-- St. Edouard 1A horizontal well tested at an initial stabilized rate of approximately 6 MMcf/d from the Utica shale in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Quebec -- Completed $128 million equity offering to primarily finance commercialization and early development of the Utica -- Positive cash flow from operations of $0.52 million and production of 600 boe/d with limited investment in developed assets -- Strengthened financial position with $166 million in positive working capital and no debt Cash flow from operations for the first quarter of this year was $0.52 million as compared to $1.06 million in 2009. The results reflect the limited investment in developed assets in the prior year partially offset by materially higher oil prices.
Petroleum and natural gas revenue in the first quarter of 2010 was $2.98 million (2009: $3.72 million). Production averaged 600 boe/d (2009: 1,049 boe/d) with crude oil and liquids accounting for 49% of the volumes (2009: 44%). The Company reported a working capital surplus of $165.60 million at March 31, 2010 as compared to $51.76 million at March 31, 2009.
Questerre Energy Corporation is an independent energy company focused on shale gas in North America. The Company is concentrated on establishing commerciality of its Utica shale gas discovery in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Quebec.
This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements"), including the results from our horizontal wells, the estimated recovery of resources. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, our forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information available to the Company. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward looking statements. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. The risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could affect actual results are discussed in our Annual Information Form and other documents available at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. These securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio has been calculated using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil and is based on an energy equivalent conversion method application at the burner tip and does not necessarily represent an economic value equivalent at the wellhead.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Questerre Energy Corporation Anela Dido Investor Relations (403) 777-1185 (403) 777-1578 (FAX) info@questerre.com