In the year end review, Julie Verhage of Bloomberg News examined where could you have put your money in last year – there are always many choices.

Currencies

Britian’s currency the Pound was the worst performer because of Brexit, the currency was down 17.1%

Bitcoin was up 100%

Russian ruble was up 21.3% but that is linked to oil prices.

World Equity Indexes

Brazil’s Ibovespa stock index was up 63.4% after a new President was installed and hope for economic recovery pushed up the markets.

Nigeria was down 41.1% due to capital controls and oil fluctuations

Commodities

Natural gas was up 60%

Oil was up from$40 to the present $50 or a 45% gain

Wheat and corn were down 13% and 1.6% respectively

Bonds

Venezuelan bonds have increased as payments were pushed back there are still many problems with the economy.

Mozambique were the worst country due to debt crisis and inflation.

In corporate bonds, Sidewinder Drilling were down 80%, however Anton Oilfield Services gained more than 170% on their refinancing.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, there was many opportunities to make money and to lose it, which is the number one reason to invest is not to lose money. If you do not lose money, then you do have to have a great year the following year to make up for the losses. There are risks in every sector, by starting with companies that are profitable, the risk reward goes down on the risk and up on the reward which is a good thing. Next year there will be another year where the world focus on the American economy and what growth rate the economy will do.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.