Physical commodities such as coffee and sugar and cotton best place to be over the next five years as food prices spike under climate contraints

According to Gabriella Hold in The Australian Financial Review, (10/10/2007, p. 31) Clime Asset Management managing director Roger Montgomery says real commodities should outperform not only over the next year but for the longer term as growing populations boost demand for foodstuffs. “Physical commodities such as coffee and sugar and cotton will be the best place to be, probably over the next five years,” he said.

$US and $A one year ratio:

Nomura Australia equities strategist Eric Betts is similarly bullish on commodities, saying they could well outperform other asset classes, as the impact of Australia’s drought increases food prices.

Local councils in NSW and WA burn their fingers after investing in complex debt products: get millions in refunds in return for their silence after investing in products with exposure in US sub-prime mortgage markets, recommended by Grange Securities

According to Jonathan Barreet, in The Australian Financial Review, (26/09/2007, p.1), local councils had been given millions of dollars in refunds in return for their silence after investing in complex debt products recommended by the Lehman Brothers-owned Grange Securities.

WA: Rainfall around much of the state’s agricultural area in July improves rural confidence; farmers optimistic of higher incomes after a dull year

Rural confidence had improved slightly in WA, following rainfall around much of the state’s agricultural area in July and strong commodity prices positively impacting farmers’ confidence levels with improvement in wheat prices and relatively strong wool prices, reported Farm Weekly, (30/08/2007, p.23).

Aus Govt energy fear: China locking-up resources by long-term contracts, bypassing market

The Australian Government was concerned that the shortfalls in supply of oil and other energy resources may prompt countries like China to lock up access to supplies through long-term contracts, reported The Sydney Morning Herald (3/9/2007, p.2).