10 Things to Learn from Japan: The Source.

A friend sent me an email this morning titled, "10 Things to Learn from Japan". It was a list on how the Japanese are coping with the tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami. I also have a link to the original source, which took me more than 45 minutes to research. It is worth the read and will humble you to ask yourself the question, How do I want to be in such a tragedy and how do I want other Americans to be as well? Here's the list, then the link:

10 things to learn from Japan:

1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn't fall.

4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly.
Strength of one's character is reflected in one's behaviour at the crucial moment.
Character of people is what makes the character of a nation.

Here is the link to the story run by Sky News of the U.K on March 21st, 2011. This is definitely worth the read!

Using triple play ETF's to trade in the stock market.

Let me start first with what a Triple play ETF is. It is often noted as "3x". It is an instrument, which is based on an index of stocks designed to give you triple the swing of the based index. If the base index of stocks moves up 1%, then the Long ETF would give you nearly a 3% gain and the Short would give you a 3% loss. This instrument is most useful when the overall stock market is in a tight range of about a 2% movement over the period of a week or longer. We have been in that period the last few weeks.

I have gone through the list of all ETF's specifically looking for these Triple plays and will list them alphabetically below along with the basket of stocks they are based upon and whether they are a Bull (Long) or Bear (Short).

DZK Developing Market Bull 3x
EDC Emerging Market Bull 3x
DPK Developing Market Bear 3x
ERY Energy Bear 3x
ERX Energy Bull 3x
FAS Financial Bull 3x
FAZ Financial Bear 3x
MWJ Mid Cap Bull 3x
MWN Mid cap Bear 3x
TMF 30 Year Treasury Bull 3x
TMV 30 Year Treasury Bear 3x
TNA Small Cap Bull 3x
TYD 10 Year Treasury Bull 3x
TYH Tech Bull 3x
TYO 10 Year Treasury Bear 3x
TYP Tech Bear 3x
TZA Small cap Bear 3x

If you have been reading my Blog you know I currently own TZA and also some FAZ shares, as I believe we are going to have another correction and eventually test the low 7,000's on the Dow and possibly retest the 6,440 low of March. That will mean another loss for those long the market of 12% from here or even possibly 24%. Having triple plays if this should occur would mean gains of between 36% and 75%. Of course if I am wrong and the market goes up an equivalent amount I could lose another 36% or 75% as well. I just don't think I am wrong here. But the good thing is that there will be an answer as time will tell!