The rally has legs

New record high close for the DOW today! The Christmas rally continues, my portfolio was up over 10% today, what a way to end the year! I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas rally as much as I am.

In the short-term, don't forget about the "January Effect" , statistics has proven that market gain the most in January (due to tax sellers buying back mostly), especially in the small cap/micro cap sector!

Enjoy the rally and happy 2007!

The P/E of countries

Here is a list of P/E of various countries, one thing caught my eye is that China has the highest P/E of all, which confirms that the recent run of Chinese ADR stocks is indeed a bubble. We should see a fall of Chinese stocks before 2008.

Hong Kong	17.580
Thailand	10.624
Brazil	10.942
Korea , Rep.	11.415
China	39.397
Indonesia	12.559
Russia	6.344
Italy	17.866
Malaysia	15.165
Singapore	13.776
USA	17.499
Netherlands	11.926
Taiwan	12.827
Japan	31.606
Germany	15.064
UK	18.711
France	14.518
Mexico	13.889
Canada	16.727
South Africa	11.602
Spain	15.043
Portugal	19.700
Switzerland	15.717

Merry Christmas

This year, 2006, has been an extremely good year for myself and majority of investors. Looking ahead, 2007, there will be challenges, but the United States economy is very healthy, global economical prosperity will continue, if you thought 2006 was awesome, you haven't seen nothing yet!

Trip to North III: Wonderful Hazrat Ali

Weather changes dramatically at Mazar. If there was nice summer climate (in Estonian standards) at Kunduz, then there is heavy wind. Next morning is really very cold and rainy. But it can't disturb me to arrange three pilgrimage to Hazrat Ali Shrine during next three days.
My afghan friend Waheed, whos family lives here, has been told me repeatedly about beauty of this shrine. After seeing Friday Mosque in Herart I was quite sure that mosque in Mazar can't surprise me. Of course, I was wrong again.
I have agreed with my husband's colleague Steven to walk through town at very early morning. We walk belong muddy tiny streets through awaken town and hit the mosque at the sunrise.
It is Friday and there are crowds around the garden. First we just wander around the mosque when first shy daylight is pouring the astonishing deep turquoise colour buildings. Actually, it is huge complex: various size of buildings, minarets, fountains, benches, roses and trees.
We go back in the evening with our local drivers. It is extremely cold and rainy. First we visit spot of thousands of white doves. There is legend that ordinary grey doves turn white doves during fourty days. Doves of Hazrat Ali are well groomed and loved. It is something extraordinary: to see how the afghans respect the doves.
We take off our shoes in one of the gateway house and leave them to guard's responsibility. First step on marbled square, covered with icy-cold water, is great. Although my feet reminds me current situation, the surrounding is stunning.
Hazrat Ali have been built by sultan Seljuk. Of course, it was destroyed by Thingish-Khaan. Hussain Aiqara, sultan of Timurid dynasty, rebuilt it again at 15th century.
There is local legend, that the Hazrat Ali, son-in-law of Muhammad, is buried here. (Actually he is buried at Kufa, Iran.) His body has been carried by white female camel, who fall down because of exhaustion. The place where she dropped, was body of Hazrat Ali buried.
Hazrat Ali is always full of people: pretty dressed children, woman in different coloured burkas, couples, saints, beggars, handicapped, soldiers. All people seemed to feel comfort and enjoy lovely atmosphere of this fabulous place.

Santa Clause Rally is here

Well, the widely expected Christmas rally is finally here, new high for the DOW today.

The market will be up from here until early next year.

In other news:

Japan business sentiment improves

Costco's 1Q profit up 10 percent

Fed: Moderate growth for upper Midwest

Asia: Robust Growth, Rising Risks

Great 2001 clip

Even though this was made more than 30 years ago, the special effects are still so much better than anything that's happening now. I guess this is because they are authentic: that is they're real models that have been shot, not computer generated 'perfection'. This film is a lovely piece with clips from the film and interviews with the key protagonists.

European Airlines: A Gradual Ascent

Due to demand and better oil prices, S&P says the major airlines are coming back from the disruption caused by the August terrorist plots

"European airlines should continue to benefit from rising passenger numbers, generally stable or rising yields, and a moderation in crude-oil prices in recent months to record strong improvement in operating profits in 2006. Credit quality in the sector should continue to gradually strengthen but is unlikely to improve materially given underlying cost pressures."