David Merkel is an investment professional, and like every investment professional, he makes mistakes. David encourages you to do your own independent "due diligence" on any idea that he talks about, because he could be wrong. Nothing written here, at RealMoney, Wall Street All-Stars, or anywhere else David may write is an invitation to buy or sell any particular security; at most, David is handing out educated guesses as to what the markets may do. David is fond of saying, "The markets always find a new way to make a fool out of you," and so he encourages caution in investing. Risk control wins the game in the long run, not bold moves. Even the best strategies of the past fail, sometimes spectacularly, when you least expect it. David is not immune to that, so please understand that any past success of his will be probably be followed by failures. Also, though David runs Aleph Investments, LLC, this blog is not a part of that business. This blog exists to educate investors, and give something back. It is not intended as advertisement for Aleph Investments; David is not soliciting business through it. When David, or a client of David's has an interest in a security mentioned, full disclosure will be given, as has been past practice for all that David does on the web. Disclosure is the breakfast of champions. Additionally, David may occasionally write about accounting, actuarial, insurance, and tax topics, but nothing written here, at RealMoney, or anywhere else is meant to be formal "advice" in those areas. Consult a reputable professional in those areas to get personal, tailored advice that meets the specialized needs that David can have no knowledge of.
I happened to be listening, had no idea it was you until afterwards, and thought you had some good quotes in there. (“Hey, I read that guy’s blog!” I told my girlfriend). I especially liked the “asset deflation vs. general inflation” part.
You say you’re not necessarily calling for a recession, but I can’t see how the consumer can keep going in this environment. I was at the movies this weekend – absolutely dead. The mall was the same. That only speaks for one part of the economy, but what’s going to keep propping it up? And what’s your take on the way bonds are priced (more risk averse) vs the way equities are priced (less risk averse)?
As always, thanks!
blog, getting quoted in magazines, and being on radio and television
Congratulations.
And if I may most humbly offer a word of warning, beware spreading yourself too thin. I’ve seen it happen to a lot of folks; IMO, most notably JJC (undeniably an Atlas among men, but even he has his limits… says I who dropped my ActionAlerts sub a few years ago). Also, often one won’t know when the limit has been exceed until it’s too late… a variation of the old Peter Principle.
OK, a long way of saying please keep the blog priority one. Well, maybe not one. But, you know, ahead of those other media things. 🙂