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Russian Stocks??

The U.S. Stock Market’s Impressive Outperformance May Be Coming To An End

Since putting in a major bottom in 2009, the U.S. equity market has dramatically outperformed the rest of the world. This may have something to do with the fact that the Fed explicitly encouraged greater risk taking on the part of investors by buying up trillions of dollars of risk-free instruments over that span. But now that this unprecedented balance sheet expansion has come to an end the relative outperformance of U.S. equities appears to be coming to an end, as well. 

The U.S. stock market is now the most expensive developed market in the world. Using the “Buffett Yardstick,” market cap-to-GDP, not only have we eclipsed the peak set during the dotcom mania we have also eclipsed the Japanese peak set back in 1990 which has resulted in 28 years of losses for investors over there… so far.

DYI:  If you click onto the article the author has two charts showing the Russian market as the least expensive as compared to the U.S. Brazil, India, China, Euro Zone, Great Britain, and Japan.  Though not within my model portfolio Russia does demand further study.  Obviously this would be for speculative dollars.

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Interesting

Concept!

Report: Gravity-based energy storage could prove cheaper than batteries

Gravity-fed systems use a heavy weight - up to 2,000 tonnes - suspended in a deep shaft by cables attached to winches. When there is excess electricity, for example on a windy day, the weight is winched to the top of the shaft ready to generate power. 

This weight can then be released when required - in less than a second - and the winches become generators, producing either a large burst of electricity quickly, or releasing it more slowly depending on what is needed. 

According to the paper, gravity-fed storage providing frequency response costs $141 per kW, compared to $154 for a lithium-ion battery, $187 for lead acid batteries and $312 for flywheel. 

Despite its high upfront cost, the paper argued that unlike battery-based storage systems, gravity-fed solutions have a long lifespan of more than 50 years and aren't subject to degradation. This means they could cycle several times a day - allowing them to 'stack revenues' from different sources.

DYI:  Interesting concept that appears to have merit especially in its simplicity and longevity as compared to other means of electrical storage.  Lithium batteries are a great complement for home usage during peak hours or power outages.  However for mass electrical storage nothing beats fly wheels and gravity fed systems using weights or water as these systems have excellent longevity before replacement and ease of maintenance.  Let’s hope we see these technologies put into place soon here in the States.

DYI