July 6, 2011
Wuhan, China

[Editor's note: This missive was sent in from our partner Tim Staermose in China]



Maybe the Chinese politburo has been watching too much deep cable, and, inspired by Kevin Costner's Field of Dreams movie, decided to churn out a bunch of empty cities. As it turns out, though, if you build it, they won't come... and if you'll forgive the movie analogies, these empty developments across[...] Click here to continue reading

June 28, 2011
Hong Kong

For at least a decade now, the world has marveled at China's amazing economic transformation.

Hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of medieval peasantry and brought into the modern world. Living standards have improved dramatically. China has become the manufacturing hub of the world.

And, today, China boasts world-class infrastructure on a truly impressive scale.  Beijing, Shenzhen, and especially Shanghai, have all become modern[...] Click here to continue reading

[Editor's Note: Tim Staermose is filling in for Simon today from Macau]

June 3, 2011
Macau

When you read these reports about the "most expensive places in the world," there are a few that routinely top the lists. Hong Kong is one. Macau, with its glitzy and glamorous lifestyle, is starting to make an appearance as well. Real estate aside, these places are actually quite cheap.

To give you an idea about[...] Click here to continue reading

May 26, 2011
Hong Kong

One of the most interesting things going on here in Hong Kong at the moment is the gradual displacement of the US dollar, and even the local Hong Kong dollar, by the Chinese Yuan.

Walking around town, the signs are obvious:  from shops that gladly accept Chinese Yuan cash for the goods they sell, to the money changers which now ALL display the Hong Kong dollar / Chinese[...] Click here to continue reading

May 19, 2011
Hong Kong

[Editor's note: Tim Staermose is filling in for Simon today who is out looking at property for the next several days.]

Two days ago I hit the banks along Des Voeux Road in Central Hong Kong to check out what gold bullion coins are available, and what the banks are charging.

Oddly enough, last time I reported on this, we got a lot of blowback from our[...] Click here to continue reading

by Tim Staermose

May 10, 2011
Manila, Philippines


Reading the local papers in Manila today, with their blaring headlines celebrating the latest boxing conquest of Filipino boxing phenomenon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, I couldn't help but be struck by the symbolism.

Here's a guy who grew up dirt-poor, in one of the poorest parts of a poor country, wiping the floor with the latest in a long line of fancied American contenders.[...] Click here to continue reading

May 4, 2011
Manila, Philippines

[Editor's note: Tim Staermose is filling in for Simon Black today. ]


My wife just celebrated her 35th birthday. If you ask me, she doesn't look a day over 25. She may be quiet and angelic, and not much more than 5 feet tall. But she's a strong and determined woman with a lot of street smarts.

Among other things, she is an accomplished Muay Thai[...] Click here to continue reading

April 26, 2011
Manila, Philippines

Silver's rise (in US$ terms, at least) over the past several weeks has been nothing short of phenomenal. The chart has effectively "gone parabolic," and people I've never met have started to e-mail me (in my capacity as a registered investment advisor) for advice on silver.



It doesn't matter whether it's silver, tech stocks, emerging markets currencies, or pork belly futures... any time these two events[...] Click here to continue reading

April 19, 2011
Manila, Philippines

Tim Staermose here. Simon is out looking at property in Paraguay today and asked me to fill in.

Simon has been writing a lot lately about how the financial opportunities overseas are often greater than at home. More specifically, the opportunity to make money by 'creating value' overseas is substantial. As an Australian citizen who has lived abroad for most of his adult life, I couldn't agree more.
[...] Click here to continue reading

April 11, 2011
Manila, Philippines

Tim Staermose here, Simon's tied up today looking for property on the Chilean countryside.

Nine years ago I gave up my six-figure salary, bonuses and perks, and resigned from my job at Lehman Brothers in Hong Kong. I could see we were on the cusp of a massive bull market in gold and precious metals, and I'd received an offer from a former employer to begin writing an[...] Click here to continue reading

Tim Staermose here. Simon asked me to fill in today as he's presently en route to New York City.

I'm sure at this point, he's probably trying to remember all the countries that he's been to since his last trip to the US six months ago-- it's required that you list all of these on the immigration form prior to entry, and for Simon, this is no small task.

Simon, Matt, and I[...] Click here to continue reading

February 7, 2011
Manila, Philippines

Hi this is Tim Staermose, the newest addition at Sovereign Man-- Simon asked me to fill in for him today as he is currently hard at work on his presentations for the upcoming workshop.

I wanted to tell you a bit about a business opportunity I just came across here in Manila-- it's a small example of what we believe are the infinite opportunities around the world if[...] Click here to continue reading