Investment/Trends

Over 50% Of Electric Cars Sold In US Are In 5 Cities

"Here’s the list: Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; New York City; Seattle, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia offers a tax credit for electric vehicles that is equal to 20% of the vehicle’s cost, up to a maximum amount of $5,000. California has many charging stations, which might have contributed to its presence in the list above, but it also offers a $2,500 incentive for electric vehicles. New York City has its own EV policies that surely helped stimulate EV adoption a bit, but the fact that it is the largest city in the US (by far) is also surely a factor." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOver 50% Of Electric Cars Sold In US Are In 5 Cities

Tesla Outsold Buick, Fiat, Land Rover, Lincoln, and Mitsubishi in Q1 and Q2

"The state of California has just released its new vehicle sales numbers for the first half of 2013, and the big winner so far is the Tesla Model S, with 0.6% of the overall market share. That may not sound like much, but – in California – it’s more than Buick (0.5%), FIAT (0.5%), Land Rover (0.5%), Lincoln (0.3%), and Mitsubishi (0.3%) did in the same time, with stronger dealer networks, more existing customers, and a lower initial pricetag! Also of note in the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) report, hybrids accounted for just over 7% of overall sales for the first time, up from 6.2% in 2012 and 4.8% in 2011." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTesla Outsold Buick, Fiat, Land Rover, Lincoln, and Mitsubishi in Q1 and Q2

Tesla Motor’s Model S is the safest car ever tested

"Tesla Motor’s fully electric luxury sedan, the Model S, isn’t just the best car ever tested by Consumer Reports. It is also the safest car ever tested by U.S. regulators. The Tesla Model S has earned a 5-star safety rating, both overall and in each individual category, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The car has a Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) of 5.4 stars, a better than perfect score. The car has received glowing reviews, but with a base price of about $70,000 it is too expensive to be enjoyed by most Americans. Tesla hopes to begin selling a cheaper fully electric SUV, the Model X, in 2014." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTesla Motor’s Model S is the safest car ever tested

Can You 3-D Print An Airplane?

"It’s a new phase in the 3-D printing revolution. 'We’re transitioning now to a stage where not only can the machine make something, but the machine can actually make its own parts,' said Gershefeld. Rather than laying down materials flatly, layer after layer, it will be possible to print stronger, interlocking parts that build into huge structures. Just as pixels of different colors come together to form a picture, 3-D pixels will come in different 'colors' or shapes. It’s incredible. If a simple 'Can you 3-D print an airplane?' leads down the road to such innovation, imagine what other inventions are stemming from other questions." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCan You 3-D Print An Airplane?

3-D Print Your Own Invisibility Cloak, And More!

"The invisibility cloak that makes you undetectable to radar was the height of metamaterial capability back in 2006. Now, according to the same researchers, you can print that cloak using an off-the-shelf 3-D printer in your living room… That gives you a good idea of how long an optical invisibility cloak could follow suit. And you will be able to make it from home. Not a bad Christmas present for the kids, eh? What once was the sole domain of science labs and military bases will have the letters DIY slapped on it. This is but one example of how the Click, Print, Anything Revolution will change the world." Continue reading →

Continue Reading3-D Print Your Own Invisibility Cloak, And More!

Gold Is Rebounding, Time to Look at Franco Nevada

"Franco-Nevada isn’t your average gold miner. They don’t have regular mine costs like the big gold producers we follow. Instead, Franco-Nevada is a 'streaming' company. Meaning after they put money into getting a project off the ground they take a cut of future production. With many of those streaming deals set up over the years, Franco-Nevada can just sit back and collect checks as other companies produce metal. In other words, if you think gold is set for a rebound, this pony will provide a huge upside compared to your average cost-laden miner. Since we covered Franco Nevada in April, there are a few points to be made." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGold Is Rebounding, Time to Look at Franco Nevada

Stat of the Day: Tuition Discount Rate

"The NACUBO tuition discount rate for 2012 was 45% and has risen every year for the last six years. Despite all the stories about tuition hikes, the fact is that many colleges that lack elite status (and huge endowments) are struggling to make money while maintaining the overall quality of their student body. Their solution appears to be to raise the sticker price while offering deep discounts at the same time, usually on a sliding scale based on student attractiveness. This Forbes article talks about schools so desperate that let students walk up weeks before school starts and get an admission decision on the spot." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStat of the Day: Tuition Discount Rate

Facebook launches global Internet access initiative

"Facebook and other technology giants launched an initiative Wednesday designed to give the whole world access to the Internet. The project is entitled Internet.org and its goal is to cut the cost of smart phone-based Internet services in developing countries. Today some 2.7 billion people, just over a third of the world’s population, have access to the Internet and the number of new users is growing only slowly each year, a statement said. The other partners in the project are Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung, Qualcomm, MediaTek and Opera, while Twitter and LinkedIn also also due to sign up." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFacebook launches global Internet access initiative

Doug Casey: “We’re Still In The Midst Of The Biggest Bubble In World History”

"We’re still in the midst of the biggest bubble in world history. It’s bigger than the tech stock market bubble around the turn of the century. It’s bigger than the real estate bubble…[it's] the bond bubble. With interest rates ranging from zero to a few percent—this is the biggest bubble in history and when it collapses, it’s going to be catastrophic because the bond market is so huge. It’s much bigger than the stock market is. [..] We’re pretty close to the edge of the precipice…it’s fascinating to watch but I can’t be optimistic about the next few years…[but] that doesn’t mean the world is going to come to an end—It just means it’s going to be reorganized.” Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDoug Casey: “We’re Still In The Midst Of The Biggest Bubble In World History”

18 Signs That Global Financial Markets Are Entering A Horrifying Death Spiral

"The much anticipated 'financial correction' is rapidly approaching, and investors are starting to race for the exits. We have not seen so many financial trouble signs all come together at one time like this since just prior to the last major financial crisis. It is almost as if a 'perfect storm' is brewing, and a lot of the 'smart money' has already gotten out of stocks and bonds. Could it be possible that we are heading toward another nightmarish financial crisis? Could we see a repeat of 2008 or potentially even something worse?" Continue reading →

Continue Reading18 Signs That Global Financial Markets Are Entering A Horrifying Death Spiral