10k to play with

[kingoftherapids]

Any good buys or shorts?

[stormyhog]

I bought 2000 shares of PQ (Petroquest Energy) when it was down to $1.60.  That was about 5-6 months ago.  It's now at around $7.00.  So I'm up a pretty good amount now.

The problem with natural gas stocks is that the U. S. reserves are about maxed out.  We have a ton of natural gas, but we just don't use it as much as we should.  Cars can be converted to run on natural gas, but besides OK and TX there just aren't many filling stations.  Also we could build power plants to run off of natural gas.  I don't understand why the U. S. doesn't use this abundant resource more.  We could cut our use of foreign oil in half if not more.

Sorry to go on the long spiel, but back to your question.  Research natural gas stocks that are fairly cheap right now.  PQ was a good find and I'm probably gonna sell soon, just to put it into another one.  SWN (Southwestern Energy) is a good one.  They are budget minded and make good decisions.  I would probably avoid CHK (Chesapeake Energy).  Although they have cut their spending considerably, they throw money around first before doing any type of research, which doesn't always pay off.  HK (Petrohawk) also one to consider.

Like with all stocks, sometimes the craps table might be a better decision.

[Whoisnext]

I know that ob stocks are a little more risky but you have to look at LPIH.OB.  They are a gas distributor out of China and making lots of money.  They are expanding their distribution levels and expect profits to increase the next two years.  China is coming out of recession much faster than the US plus the fact that more Chinese people are buying cars now than ever before.  Do your own Due Diligence and see what you think.

[HogNuttz]

I think the real estate industry might provide some good short positions.  I don't think real estate is in good shape and Obama's tax credit for first time home buyers simply moved up a lot of future sales to the last couple of quarters for an industry that doesn't have a good outlook to begin with.  Commercial real estate space available is still increasing as well.

[OldPoop]

If you understand what is going to happen to gold in the near future in relation to the dollar and the stock market you might be interested in the following, if you're a gold poo-pooer please skip.

There is a new ETF going through the approval process right now,
the Van Eck Junior Index Fund, that will be similar to GDX only it will be based on a group of junior gold mines.  Whether it will be approved by next week or 6 months from now who knows.

However you can invest in individual mining companies from their list of companies and create you're own ETF, and most likely benefit from a jump caused by the ETF when it starts up.  It would probably be safer to go with a jr that is already producing gold rather than just in the exploration and developing stage (for example Northgate, Jaguar, New Gold).  A gold mining stock usually out performs the bullion by 5 or 6 to 1.

This is their top 26:

1. Silver Standard (SSRI) - http://www.silverstandard.com/
2. Coeur d 'Alene (CDE) - http://www.coeur.com/
3. New Gold (NGD) - http://www.newgold.com/
4. Alamos Gold (AGI.CN) - http://www.alamosgold.com/
5. Gammon Gold (GRS) - http://www.gammongold.com/
6. Hecla (HL) - http://www.hecla-mining.com/
7. San Gold (SGR.CN) - http://www.sangoldcorp.com/
8. Jaguar Mining (JAG.CN) - http://www.jaguarmining.com/s/home.asp
9. Aurizon Mines (ARZ.CN) - http://www.aurizon.com/s/Home.asp
10. Golden Star (GSS) - http://www.gsr.com/
11. Northgate Minerals (NXG) - http://www.northgateminerals.ca/
12. Silvercorp Metals (SVM.CN) - http://www.silvercorpmetals.com/
13. Andean Resources (AND.CN) - http://www.andean.com.au/
14. Kingsgate Consolidated (KCN.AU) - http://www.kingsgate.com.au/
15. Minefinders (MFN) - http://www.minefinders.com/
16. Novagold Resources (NG) - http://www.novagold.net/
17. Semafo Inc. (SMF.CN) - http://www.semafo.com/
18. Great Basin Gold (GBG.CN) - http://www.grtbasin.com/
19. Kirkland Lake Gold (KGI.CN) - http://www.klgold.com/
20. Fronteer Development (FRG) - http://www.fronteergroup.com/
21. Allied Nevada (ANV) - http://www.alliednevada.com/
22. Rubicon Minerals (RMX.CN) - http://www.rubiconminerals.com/s/Home.asp
23. European Goldfields (EGU.CN) - http://www.egoldfields.com/
24. Avoca Resources (AVO.AU) - http://www.avocaresources.com.au/
25. Lakeshore Gold (LSG.CN) - http://www.lsgold.com/
26. Romarco Minerals (R.CN) - http://www.romarco.com/