Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Recession Brings Opportunities!

First, question period was boring today so no video. Instead I venture into the realm of economics, boring stuff normally, but interesting when the world is in trouble and everyone is trying to second guess what is going to happen next.

We know our Canadian banks are the most stable in the world, although you will never hear the opposition mention that fact, they are all doom and gloom. The MSM is on survival mode, so anything negative is a good thing, it sells papers.

I prefer to look at the brighter side of this downturn, there are opportunities for business, especially in the west. I'm not the only one who thinks so, read this article...

Oil patch juniors team up to buy Talisman Bakken lands

CALGARY -- Crescent Point Energy Trust and TriStar Oil & Gas Ltd., two junior oil companies, shrugged off the global meltdown Wednesday and teamed up to buy for $720-million the Saskatchewan and Montana assets of senior producer Talisman Energy Inc......

"When we started the company, oil was at US$17.60 a barrel, and US$45 is a pretty good number," said Scott Saxberg, CEO of Crescent Point.

He said his company can generate substantial rates of return in the Bakken even at today's low oil prices.


Interesting, the juniors are investing while the big boys are stopping development.

Look at what every country is doing right now, stimulus packages. This is what the Keynesian model tells them to do in a recession, increase government spending and lower taxes. Normally the problem with this is that government borrowing crowds out business investment, leading to higher interest rates. With the unstable banking sector though, they are not lending to businesses, at a time when businesses could use the low borrowing rates to expand operations. Enter the governments from around the world, they borrow instead, not a bad thing if that money goes towards infrastructure.

The problem is that all countries are going to issue bonds to raise money, but what if no individuals or banks what to buy those bonds? They have to print money, a sure fire inflation measure. Staglation (high unemployment and high inflation) anyone?

Why might Canada do better than other countries? If you are an investor, and you have pulled your money out of the stock market, where do you put it? Well, you look around for the most stable economy, and invest there. That just happens to be Canada, why to you think PM Harper was in New York talking to world business leaders? Add to that our low corporate taxes, and Canada becomes even more attractive.

Those tax cuts, what if everyone saves that money? Where are they most likely to save it? How about in our stable banks, who can then lend it out to businesses for expansion. This is where the big oil companies are going wrong, by stopping projects, now is the time to get cheap credit and labour so they can expand their companies. Why expand when you are paying a premium for labour and materials?

As for buying stocks, isn't the rule; buy low, sell high? I just wouldn't be buying any media stock these days.

PM Harper got slammed by the opposition for mentioning that now is a good time to buy stocks, but now that Obama has said the same thing, the media is silent. The recession can bring opportunities for people and businesses to streamline their bottom lines, while expanding their operations.

Maybe if the Liberals/NDP/Bloc stall the budget long enough, we will not have to borrow as much from the banks, and businesses will take up the slack. Somehow I don't think that's what the opposition are hoping for, they want the economy to do bad, because politicians are all about getting elected into power.

7 comments:

Bec said...

The media is silent?
Well of course, they are a$$es with some having secure pensions and others, simply not believing that utopia would end.
Even I, despite my conservative nature,have made some speculative decisions, but I knew this was coming.
Would I invest now, absolutely.

In fact, if I were advising people that had cash, it would be real estate (other than Que) and the "obvious". (if anyone needs that clarified...)

The problem is, the banks are NOT dropping their lending rates and not lending adequately.

Ironically it all gets reported as a need for car loans. Well, I would not lend either if there was no security. Thanks NDP and LIE berals.
They are such morons. All about them and not about Canadians.

The banks, credit card companies and retailers MUST drop their rates, yesterday.
When I shop with any of them, I tell them, I am done until you do.

Everyone Should!

Bec said...

Hunter,

May I qualify my previous comment. This is as a personal investor,I would make these decisions,period.

Sheesh, the diatribe that may have come....

wilson said...

100's of Billions around the globe, is being unleashed for infrastructure.
All those idle transport trucks and dirt movers will be roaring soon.

Obama as much as said the US wants Canadian oil in preference to imports from 'countries that don't like us'.
And natural gas is clean energy.

Canada is going to come out of this recession soon.

maryT said...

Just heard a report on ctc about a guy wanting a pick-up and has decided to add to his companies fleet, because of the savings. Seems pick-ups and other vehicles are down to an affordable price, He is buying 12-15 and saving about a half million dollars. Dealers want to deal.

wilson said...

Survival of the strongest,
the West will pull out of this recession first due to our best natural resource, the spirit of the people.

Bankruptcies will spawn the rebirth of non-union companies, Canada's productivity will soar.

West Coast Teddi said...

Do you think local television signals should be free?
Answer Votes %
Yes. My cable bill is high enough without conventional TV stations charging for their signals. 554 84%
No. I don't mind paying to keep a local presence on my TV dial. 107 16%

This is a snap shot of a poll running on a local radio station. 84% of the respondents don't want to "pay" for their over the air TV signal. They all have cable, CTV (and CBC!!) and Global are laying off staff, cutting back services, etc so that they can afford to send out FREE signals.

Maybe we should invest in our comforts?

Alberta Girl said...

"In fact, if I were advising people that had cash, it would be real estate (other than Que) and the "obvious". (if anyone needs that clarified...)"

I just said that to my husband yesterday as we look at our RRSP's being what they were 20 years ago. I said we should cash them in - take the tax hit and invest in real estate.

As far as the lending rates - you are right BEC - we thought we needed a loan to buy out our truck as it was due to be returned on lease - we got quoted 8.5% - 8.5%!!!! WHAT! They eventually brought it down to 5% to match another bank - but still - given the interest rates right now - that is silly.

But at least in this recession the rates aren't 18-22% like they were in the early 80's. Can you even imagine Wacko Jacko if the banks were charging 18-20%!!