Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : The Epic American Credit and Bond Bubble Laboratory -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: 8bits who wrote (62392)	5/31/2006 9:07:14 PM
From: TobagoJack	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 110194

The whole concept of buying and selling coins at coin dealers is such a advanced idea to a backwater of a place like HK. The entire idea of >1.5% bid/ask spread is a good idea, for the dealers. We of HK do our gold hoarding and dishoarding at the antiquated banks, where most money flavors are transacted. When the USA devolves to such ancient infrastructure and uncommon know-how as we have in HK, the gold price will perhaps be at ... oh, a wild guess, say a bitter USD 3,896 / ounce, and the bid/ask spread will be less than USD 60, or the then price of 4 McD happy meals, with coffee thrown in. But, who knows, maybe the majority of USD-space asset holders will choose to go down with the Dollar ship, all neatly standing on deck, at salute, colours flying, and standards blowing in the splash, with Bush the Jeb or Hilary the Clinton or, if impeachment timing permits, Bush the George at the flag pole. OTOH, EBay bids for gold eagle coins are merely indicating that China Panda gold search.ebay.com , on ounce per once basis, is more valued; and I believe correctly, as the legal tender value of USD coins are certainly of dubious merit, even when compared to the RMB that will surely trend down ;0) An obvious trades suggest itself, buying EBay gold eagles and sell to HK-based British bank, and buy China pandas from HK-based China banks, and sell on EBay :0) Chugs, J

To: 8bits who wrote (62392)	6/1/2006 1:31:55 AM
From: shades	Respond to of 110194

THOUSANDS TO BENEFIT FROM INFLATION-BUSTING RISE AS NORTH SEA OIL SECTOR BOOMS (Mish they are not keeping up with Inflation eh? My scottish buddies are starting to get a raise - but I would HARDLY call it inflation busting - HAHA) pressandjournal.co.uk More Headlines \| Back to home page 4 readers have commented on this story. Click here to read their views. CAMERON BROOKS 08:50 - 31 May 2006 Thousands of North Sea oil workers are to receive an inflation-busting minimum 5.5% increase in their basic pay, it emerged last night. Trade union Amicus said the deal is one of the biggest negotiated in the offshore industry in recent years. Some 6,000 people who work for nine companies in the United Kingdom Drilling Contractors Association (UKDCA) will benefit. The offer was accepted in a secret ballot by 68% of Amicus members, including roustabouts, labourers who currently earn around £25,500 a year and first electricians who take home around £58,000. Oil industry expert Jake Molloy said he was not surprised the remaining 32% wanted a better deal because drilling contractors were currently hiring out rigs to companies for between £200,000 to £300,000 a day due to the high price of oil - now over 60 a barrel. Amicus regional officer Graham Tran said last night: "This is probably one of the biggest increases negotiated in the offshore industry in recent years and I am delighted that it has taken place in the United Kingdom Drilling Contractors Association. "We have to remember that only three years ago we saw over 1,500 jobs lost in this sector. It is only right and proper therefore that those who have returned to work in this sector receive a decent financial reward at the time of high activity." Amicus has negotiated year-on-year increases which were substantially reduced during the downturn in activity. Mr Tran expects firms to pay more than the 5.5% minimum increase to attract and retain staff in what is an increasingly competitive industry. He said: "With the price of oil being in excess of 60 a barrel since January 1 there is absolutely no reason as to why the investment should dwindle." Mr Molloy, general secretary of the OILC union, said: "I think it should be the biggest pay increase in recent years, especially when you reflect on the fact that rig rates have all but doubled in the last year." He added that those who rejected the pay offer may have done so because they wanted a better package overall. "These workers have a highly demanding job mentally and physically and are the most exposed to risk," he said. "They might have been looking for a better leave cycle, for example, which would mean a reduction in offshore time without losing income." Some 21,000 workers are employed in the UK oil industry. The remaining 15,000 men and women belong to other unions, including the Offshore Contractors Association, which negotiated a 3.4% pay deal for its members in February. However, a spokesman for that organisation said last night the increase secured by Amicus would not pressurise it into fighting for a better deal for its members next year. He said: "There is no danger of that happening because we are talking about different jobs. There are sectors of the offshore industry which are broken down differently in terms of negotiations." Your Views The oil companies and the Drilling Contractors Association are laughing all the way to the bank, their profits rise by 250% and the workers get a 5.5% increase, not exactly what you call 'profit sharing'!!!!! call 'profit john, aberdeen I can't believe that these unions think that this is a good rise, offshore workers have had to suffer below inflation rises for years, for the first time in years the oil companies are running scared with the service companies calling the shots, rises should be at least 15-20% Steve, Aberdeen Good stuff! Its nice to see someone getting a payrise without striking. At least the tax these guys all pay can go back into paying all the striking public sector staffs pay packets. Kev, Aberdeen Well not before time that the drilling lads get a decent sounding rise. Had to laugh about the OCA comment of not trying for across the board rises though - The OCA is after all a cartel of major contracting companies that dictate to the troops what they will recieve. As usual divide and conquer and pay them peanuts, thats why they are saying they cannot get guys offshore these days. Should be the same as Norway at the end of the day - their oil is the same price as Uk's !! andy, Kazakhstan