Written by Paul Siluch
September 27^th, 2024

“The only thing I want to know is where I'm going to die so I never go there.”

– Charlie Munger - Warren Buffett’s partner, died at age 99

We’d all like to know when we will die. Think how easy it would be to plan your life:

• You’d know how many books you could read.
• You’d know how many trips you had left.
• And your financial planner could help you spend your last dollar on your last day.

Of course, it is never that easy.

Written by Paul Siluch
September 11^th, 2024

In 1992, China accounted for just 1.6% of the world economy (globaleconomy.com). By 2022, it was close to 20%.

What happens in China matters.

In 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization. Commodities exploded in price as China industrialized. China’s oil imports alone grew from 1.2 million barrels per day in 2001 to 11.29 million barrels per day in 2023 (Reuters). This sent oil prices to over $140 per barrel and benefitted Canada as an oil exporter.

Then the boom ended. China’s growth moderated. Canada slumped.

Hope springs eternal, though. Canada is always hoping for another commodity boom, though. And why not? Demand for copper, lithium, and nickel are exploding with the introduction of electric cars even as supplies are tight. It can take ten years or longer to bring a mine from discovery to production. And no one wants a mine in their backyard, anyway.

As a result, there shortages forecast for everything from uranium to copper to silver - even helium is rationed (NBC news). Fill your party balloons now!