InvestSMART

Letters of the Week

Abandoned newspapers and the GFC. Ceramic fuel cells, and Tom Lovell's departure news.
By · 20 Jun 2012
comments Comments
Upsell Banner

Commuter Sentiment Index

I am a Cityrail driver based at Hornsby (in NSW). I have noticed a direct relationship between the economy, consumer sentiment and the number and type of newspapers left on the train by passengers. The number of Daily Telegraphs left after the morning peak is higher now than pre-GFC, SMH and financial papers are back to about 80% of pre-GFC peak. Interestingly, property glossies dropped off slightly after the GFC and have never rebounded, but have remained about 60% of pre-GFC levels. Chinese language papers are up about 50% and youth/car/men’s glossies are above pre-GFC levels. The free MX paper can now be found un-thumbed and un-opened after a trip up the north shore, a rarity, even in pre-GFC days ... What does it all mean for the economy?

A Phelps

Ceramic fuel cells

Robert’s item today about Ceramic fuel cells is very comforting. Our family has had quite a large holding in it almost since inception. Its technology originated at CSIRO but the main drawback here, which Robert didn’t mention, is that there is no feed-in tariff available as there is for solar panels. In Europe, feed-in tariffs have been a boon to sales. However, we still have faith in the technology but fear it may end up being another BETA vs VHS video tape scenario, where superior technology failed in the face of lack of capital and better marketing. If Gillard and Co were at all serious about reducing CO2 pollution, they should provide a feed-in tariff immediately. But then we all know they are not serious about anything except the carbon tax revenue.

B Rumpf

Change in the Landscape

Firstly, thank you for a great product; I am a big fan of Eureka Report. I recently contacted Lovell’s Landscape, and apparently Tom Lovell has moved on to a money broking firm and Lovell’s Landscape is no more. My question is, will Tom still be contributing to the Eureka Report?

T Andrighetto

Editor’s response: Tom Lovell has indeed moved roles, but does intend to continue to contribute to Eureka Report, on occasion.

To read this week’s letters, click here

Share this article and show your support
Free Membership
Free Membership
Eureka Report subscribers
Eureka Report subscribers
Keep on reading more articles from Eureka Report subscribers. See more articles
Join the conversation
Join the conversation...
There are comments posted so far. Join the conversation, please login or Sign up.