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Stock market Investment using the technical analysis method

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:55:40 +0000

Numerous investors believe in and use the principles of technical analysis. In fact, large brokerage houses provide extensive support for technical analysis and a large part of the discussion related to capital markets in the media is based on a technical view of the market.

Technical analysis observes historical price movements of the stock market and individual securities and develops a variety of models and technical trading rules such as moving averages, regression analysis and relative strength index to predict future market behavior. By taking into account price and volume changes, technical analysis comes in sharp contrast with fundamental analysis, which suggests that past performance has no influence on future performance or market values. Technical analysis involves the observation of past market data to estimate future market trends and therefore an investment decision using the market itself to predict its future performance.

To predict future behavior, technical analysts use several underlying assumptions that lead to this view of price movements. First of all, technical analysis assumes that the market value of any good or service is determined solely by the interaction of supply and demand. This assumption is universally accepted by both technical and fundamental analyst as it constitutes a basic theory in economics. The price of any security is determined by the interaction of supply and demand.

The second assumption of technical analysis is that supply and demand are driven by a variety of rational and irrational factors. In these factors are also included economic variables that fundamental analysts recognize as determinants of market corrections, but also factors such as opinions, moods and guesses that actually shape trends which are fundamental in technical analysis. In regards to this second assumption, most observers acknowledge that supply and demand are driven by numerous variables that cannot be separated and the market has to continually and automatically weigh all these factors and reflect them in the stock price.

The third assumption of technical analysis is that the prices of individual securities and the value of the market as a whole have the tendency to move in trends, which persist for considerable lengths of time. These prevailing trends tend to adjust to changes in supply and demand. Technical analysts assume that stock prices move in trends that persist for long periods because they consider that new information enters the market over a period of time and not at once. This gradual pattern of information occurs as various groups of securities professional to the average investor receive gradually the information and buy or sell the stocks accordingly, moving the price accordingly and gradually reaching a new equilibrium. Therefore, technical analysis is based on a gradual price adjustment that reflects the gradual flow of information into the market.

There are numerous technical trading rules and a range of interpretations for each of them. Technical analysts, in majority, watch many alternative rules and decide on a buy or sell decision based on a consensus of the signals because it is rare to achieve complete agreement of all the rules. Many technical analysts assume that investors are wrong as the market approaches peaks and lows and they try to determine when the majority of investors are either bearish or bullish and trade in the opposite direction. In technical analysis, this is known as contrary-opinion rules. Another set of rules such as the Confidence Index, and the T-Bill Eurodollar Yield Spread follows the behavior of sophisticated investors and are widely known as the follow-the-smart-money tactics. Finally, there are momentum indicators such as the 200-day moving average, and the breadth of market, as well as stock price and moving techniques such as relative strength, moving-average lines, bar charting, resistance levels, and point-and-figure charts that are used to make aggregate market decisions based on rising and declining trend channels.

Overall, technical analysis is applied to both domestic and global capital markets and can also be used to analyze currency exchange rates and determine the prevailing sentiment in the bond market.

A freelance writer, top MBA graduate with Finance major, passionate about business, finance, history and music; this is pretty much me in a nutshell.

I provide high quality writing services since 2005 in the field of Business & Finance, Movie Reviews, Book Reviews, Health & Fitness, Internet and Relationships. I also have a very good knowledge of Politics and History.

My advanced familiarity with financial modeling, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting and market research has helped me a lot, not only to be a successful professional, but mostly to see life under a more creative and innovative perspective. Besides, having lived for two years in Chicago, IL and Boca Raton, FL and for quite some time in Paris, France has provided me with an international aspect and has enlarged the way I see and understand life.

I currently work as a financial and investment advisor at an international financial institution. Yet, my dream is to be able to make a living as a writer.

You may find me at:
http://christinapomonibusiness.blogspot.com/ http://christinapomonifinance.blogspot.com/ http://reviewsrevisited.blogspot.com/ http://thehistoryculturevenue.blogspot.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/stock-market-investment-using-the-technical-analysis-method-1357961.html

Impact of government AIG bailout on investors

admin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:58:24 +0000

In September 2008, the American International Group, AIG, the largest insurance company in the United States, collapsed under the weight of bad debts incurred from insuring mortgage-backed securities. Although the corporation made significant progress in addressing liquidity issues related to its financial products and its securities-lending activities, in the middle of continued financial market turmoil, it failed to preserve and maximize the value of its business practices for the benefit of its stakeholders. As a result, AIG reported the largest quarterly losses in U.S corporate history, $61.7 billion in Q4.

The Federal Reserve bailed out AIG with an $85 billion loan in exchange for a 79.9% equity stake. Three weeks later, AIG was granted $37.8 billion loan as liquidity for its securities-lending business. Even after these initial infusions, losses continued to mount and in November, the Treasury provided another $20.9 billion under a new program, summing up the total bailout package to $144 billion under three different credit line programs. In March 2009, the Federal government agreed on providing AIG another $30 billion with a fourth program raising the bailout bill to $174 billion. By July 2009, the bailout package had reached $182 billion.

At the same time, AIG became the target of extensive outrage as a result of the $165 million paid in bonuses to AIG senior management and traders that actually caused the collapse. Investors, taxpayers and the public in general were disgusted at the idea of the people who caused AIG’s collapse and financial distress to be rewarded as heroes.

The first immediate impact of AIG bailout is evident on investor confidence. In spite of the increased consumer spending and household income in the beginning of 2009, the AIG scandal overshadowed the markets. Considering that more than the US population owns stocks and other securities and with global capital markets reacting aggressively to AIG press releases and government bailout packages, the US economy and, consequently, the global economy, are affected by the governmental actions to help a corporate monster recover.

Besides, since October 2007 when the Dow was around 14,100 until today that is at 9,750, investors have lost 31 percent of their value. Even worse, in fourteen trading sessions, the Dow has toppled from 8,000 to below 7,000. At the same time, unemployment is at an all time high having affected nearly five million Americans, while productions levels continue to shrink and layoffs surpass any growth.

Technically what AIG was provided is a loan, but, in effect, it is a bailout because without that amount of money the company could have gone bankrupt. Now, AIG not only has to pay back the money, but taxpayers are also hooked with the company since they own, along with the U.S. government, 79.9% of it. The question about investors is how AIG can sell off its assets at a high price when capital markets are still in turmoil and there is not much liquidity in the markets? Wall Street is out of cash and investors are out of faith. So, in a way, AIG paying back its debt is a hope given that the company has a lot of debt in its liabilities. If the market explodes, taxpayers and the government are going to be on the hook for AIG.

Another thing that seems to be slightly misunderstood is the fact that AIG failure is not terrible only because the company was so big, but mostly because with AIG getting out of the picture for having backed mortgage-backed securities, the possibility of a domino effect is evident. Any business or individual that has been involved and has done business with AIG faces the reality of seeing own assets going under. And is such an unstable and weak financial environment this would a nightmare scenario.

The government AIG bailout shows the levels of corruption in corporate America. Before AIG, the common measurement of bonuses was a company’s profitability. If the business was profitable, management was compensated with a bonus. If the business was losing money, there was no bonus involved. After AIG, things got reversed.

On the other hand, there are people who think that government bailout to AIG helped US economy to overcome the depression. However, the experience of previous recessions has shown that the end comes only when inflated prices shrink to a level that allows the majority of people to enjoy fundamental goods of life such as housing, clothing and nourishment.

The U.S. government is on the hook for succeeding in saving AIG for the moment. But, those who will make sure this bailout works are the U.S. taxpayers. The systemic risk that AIG posed in the first place and continues to pose combined with the volatility of capital markets, the cost to the US economy and the governmental inaction does little to re-inspire investor confidence. Even worse, government AIG bailout is a straight attack on the common sense of people. Unfortunately, this will take a long time until it can be forgotten and translated into rising capital markets and attractive stock performances around the globe.

A freelance writer, top MBA graduate with Finance major, passionate about business, finance, history and music; this is pretty much me in a nutshell.

I currently work as a financial and investment advisor at an international financial institution. Yet, my dream is to be able to make a living as a writer.

You may find me at:
http://christinapomonibusiness.blogspot.com/ http://christinapomonifinance.blogspot.com/ http://reviewsrevisited.blogspot.com/ http://thehistoryculturevenue.blogspot.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/impact-of-government-aig-bailout-on-investors-1357999.html

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A Review Of The 100 Capacity Mahogany Poker Chip Case

admin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:40:28 +0000

Description: Find out the truth about Poker Chip Cases and see if they are right for you at this time. Please read our unbiased review of Poker Chip Cases.

The 100 capacity Mahogany poker chip case has many features you might consider if you are looking for a place to put your poker chips. It has class, black felt bottom, room for the cards, and more.

If you have piles of poker chips lying around and you are getting sick of having to organize your chips every time the guys come over to play poker then you should consider buying a poker chip case.

This will help you stay organized and save you time. It takes a lot of time organizing the chips. In addition, a poker chip case will allow you to sort the denominations of your chips and neatly organize them. This will allow for passing them out easier too.

The Mahogany poker chip case is ideal for any home on poker night. It is made with pure mahogany dark wood and it looks absolutely beautiful. You can keep all of your poker chips inside of this case rather than in the traditional carrier you have them in.

The case will look classy in any room rather than an eye sore they normally provide when they are sitting out. Many people think the box is a fine cigar case. The box is solid and sturdy.

The poker chip case is perfect for organizing your chips. Another benefit of organization is that the case provides a place for you to keep your poker cards. This is excellent because you don’t have to worry about resorting the cards or losing cards to your deck too. When you keep your cards in a case then you don’t have to worry about them getting bent or damaged.

Just one bent card in a deck can ruin the game for everyone if all players know which card is damaged. There is also a compartment in the poker chip case for you to store your dice. This allows for you not to lose your dice or be forced to steal dice out of the board games in your home so you have enough.

This mahogany poker chip case is ideal because it has a black felt bottom underneath it. You might have gotten rid of your poker chip case because it slipped off the table onto the floor one too many times and you got sick of cleaning up the chips. Maybe your case broke because it fell to the floor. The black felt bottom provides a slick free case. This ensures your case will not slip and fall and you won’t be wasting time looking for the chips all over the floor.

The mahogany poker chip case adds a touch of class to any home and any poker game. Show your poker friends you have style and you are organized when you put your cards, poker chips, and dice inside of the box. If you are looking for a poker chip case then you should consider this one as the best solution. People will not be able to tell that the box is a poker chip case either.

Look up Brian Garvin, Jeff West and our Poker Chip Cases and learn more about Poker Chips from Poker Stars Direct. You may use this article but please leave bio & all links intact.

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Tips on Having a Trouble-Free Trip to Mexico – By Best Hotel Rates

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:41:10 +0000

Mexico has become one of the most popular tourist destinations. And just like traveling to other countries and cities, one needs enough information to be able to maximize the experience of staying in Mexico.

Here are some tips to help one prepare for an exciting trip to one of the culturally-rich countries, Mexico.

1. Learn the language.

Spanish is the main language spoken in Mexico. Although some residents can communicate in and understand English, Spanish is still the language spoken in commerce. Spanish is easy to learn and once one has been familiarized with sentence construction, he or she can go far just using an English/Spanish dictionary.

Aurora Lillo Editor of the “Best Hotel Deals” website — http://www.BestHotelDeals.biz — pointed out;

“…Make sure you have an ID with a photo (such as a passport or a driver’s license), your tourist card (which is proof of your permission to visit Mexico) and your proof of citizenship…”

These are the documents that need to be presented before entering Mexico.

3. Take note of the following items as these are allowed to be brought to Mexico:

Personal clothing, footwear and toiletries in practical quantities
Magazines and books
Personal medicines and prescriptions
Used sporting equipment
One portable TV and VCR and one typewriter
Cassette and records, not exceeding 20
Musical instrument
A set of skiing equipment, fishing equipment and tennis rackets
Alcohol-containing beverage, not exceeding three liters, and 50 cigars or 400 cigarettes, if tourist is over eighteen years old
One still camera and movie camera, with not more than twelve rolls of film

4. Before entering Mexico, there are two forms to be filled out. It is better to prepare a black pen for these. These are usually distributed at the airline ticket counter or while on the plane. The first one is the temporary visa. The second form is for the Customs and Taxation called Hacienda.

5. Although there are businesses that accept foreign currency, make sure that you still have some of your dollars exchanged for the Mexican peso. Credit cards, particularly, those with MasterCard, Visa and AmEx logo are also accepted. Bringing traveler’s checks are also preferred.

6. Drink bottled water or sufficiently boiled water. Never drink tap water even if the place in which you are staying claim to have a water purifying system. Before eating fruits and vegetable, wash these in a purifying solution, peel them and cook them.

“… In a location different from that of the originals, store photocopies of tickets and a list of traveler’s checks…” added A. Lillo.

Further information about the cheapest rates on hotels all around the world by visiting; http://www.BestHotelRates.me

With this information, your trip to Mexico will be a safe and enjoyable one.

Aurora Lillo runs his corporate website at http://www.OpsRegs.com where you can see all his articles and press releases.

Things You Should Know About Life Insurance Rates, Before You Apply

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:41:00 +0000

The most common issue that can be controlled is build, BMI or weight. Statistics show that many overweight inactive individuals are at higher risk to eventually experience insulin resistance, high blood pressure, cholesterol and other related health problems. The most important thing you can do is eat a healthy diet and get some exercise. If your chronically obese discuss with your physician what type of plan you should follow. This can not only reverse your mortality rate but also reduce your premiums. Additionally before buying insurance direct speak with a agent who can guide you to a carrier that offers more leniency in underwriting build charts as you may qualify for a better rate class with specific carriers.

Smokers and tobacco users pay more for life insurance, smoking increase chances for emphysema, cancer and heart disease. (Occasional celebratory cigars won’t really hurt you.) If you stop smoking for at least 12 months you may qualify for better rates after 36 months you can qualify for great rates. Even though there are carriers that offer healthy smoker rates, you can expect to pay considerably more than non-smokers. Do not try to do the fake out they can tell from the exam if you are actually a smoker.

Hobbies can also be considered a risk for underwriting life insurance, hobbies such as scuba divers, private pilots, hang –gliders and the like will likely be taxed for all the fun when purchasing a life policy. Employment in a hazardous job can have an effect on your rates as well. Many resign from riding motorcycles and working dangerous jobs when starting a family so if your starting a family consider a more conservative approach to life and find some new hobbies and work. Stress can be a big factor for many consumers who may not realize the influence it is having on their health. Many times we see clients who believe they are healthy and are dumbfounded to learn from the Para-med exam that there high stress career has caused them to suffer from untreated high blood pressure. If in fact you think this might be your case consider a non- med policy first, get that in place then stack a fully underwritten policy on top to make up the difference of coverage you need or replace the non-med altogether if the rates are lower, this way you avoid the red marks on your medical information bureau report and the risk of being rated and being forced to pay the higher premium or being denied altogether.

Family history obviously cannot be controlled but again have an agent review the issue at hand and field underwrite your case prior to submission to the carrier since agents typically know what carriers are familiar with that particular health issue, some carrier ignore a mother or father history of cancer while other will rate it. Last but not least age can affect your premiums certainly it make sense to have some form of term coverage in force when you have liabilities that depend on you spouse, children, so the younger the better if you have been considering coverage do not put it off since providers will sometimes rate you up at the 6 month mark from your last birthday if you 34 years and 5 months old start searching!

Christopher Beard is a life insurance agent who uses automation to simplify the consumer buying experience. He is the president of Trinity 1 Financial Group and works with clients select the right carrier for life and health insurance to insure approval at the best rates for there health and age.
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Gluten free labelling laws are strict in AMERICA (20 ppm) – but are not the most strict in the world, see why Australia is choosing limits much less!

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:25:36 +0000

At the core of any celiac shoppers shopping list is buying products that are gluten free. But what exactly does that mean? Do you buy foods that have no ingredients that could possibly contain gluten grains, or are you willing to risk buying foods that are classed as gluten free, because they contain an amount of gluten that ‘someone’ has assessed as safe?

It would appear that the more experienced celiac shopper knows what ingredients to look out for, however some very experienced gluten free shoppers still report feeling sick from manufactured foods purporting to be gluten free. As the information below will show, it all appears to be in the acceptable level that countries are willing to legislate.

The three most progressive legislation regions appear to be the US, Europe and Australia. These areas will be discussed in this order.

EUROPE LEGISLATION

Previous GFP research suggests that Europe maybe one of the most gluten free aware regions on earth, however they have very low online search habits. This may of course be due to low rates of celiac disease and/ or high availability of gluten free food in the general community.

Regarding the labelling requirements: “In Europe, the Codex Commission approved 20ppm as an accepted threshold for gluten in ‘gluten-free’ products in 2008, in the first update to guidelines since 1983. The limit was massively cut from 200ppm to 20ppm – and it claims this level is considered to pose no risk to celiac sufferers. The reason for the change is that low levels are more easily attainable than 25 years ago due to technological advances allowing for more accurate detection of minute gluten traces.” Ref 1

USA LABELING

The US is one of the largest physical and online demand gluten free markets in the world. With its progressive technological and health advances you may expect that it also leads global labelling laws.

However gluten free products appear to be an exception. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced the Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) in 2006, this was for the following eight food allegens “Milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and crustacean shellfish.” By 2007 the FDA PROPOSED that gluten SHOULD be labeled at anything over 20mg per kg (20ppm) – but this has yet to be ratified.

Thus while many manufacturers are voluntarily following this guideline “Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found 25 different types of advisory term including ‘may contain’, ‘shared equipment’ and ‘within plant’. Additionally, they found that 65 percent of products listed non-specific terms, such as ‘natural flavours’ and ‘spices’, and that 83 percent of those were not linked to any specific ingredients.” Ref 1. This suggests that gluten could potentially be hiding among the non-specific terms.

Remarkably while standard foods are covered by the FSA 20 mg ruling, it created a unique labeling category just for CEREALS. Those that have been processed to reduce gluten to levels below 100 parts per million must carry a label such as ‘gluten-reduced,’ or ‘very-low gluten.’ Foods that are naturally gluten-free and acceptable for a gluten-free diet cannot be labeled as ‘gluten-free,’ or ‘special-diet,’ but may say that they are ‘naturally gluten-free.’ Ref 3

The FSA also mandates that quantitative determination of gluten in foods and ingredients be based on an immunologic method or other method providing at least equal sensitivity and specificity, and that all testing done on equipment sensitive to gluten at 10 mg gluten/kg or below. The rules cite the enzyme-linked Immunoassay (ELISA) R5 Mendez method as the officially sanctioned qualitative analysis method for determining gluten presence in food. Ref 3

Curiously The Celiac Sprue Association has gone even further in its labelling recommendation of classing foods as gluten free ONLY if they contain under 3 ppm – The CODEX COMMISSION remains resolutely behind the 20 ppm specification due to the quality control that can reasonably be expected from manufacturers. As it is, they may have until 2012 to abide by the FSA 20 ppm ruling!

AUSTRALIA

Australia has one of the most mature physical and online gluten free markets in the world. Along with this comes one of the most stringent gluten free labelling standards in the world:

QUOTE from Food Standards Australia New Zealand: “To be labeled gluten-free in Australia and New Zealand, a food must contain “No Detectable Gluten’ by the most sensitive universally accepted test method. At the time of the printing of the Ingredient List, 7th Edition, testing can (readily) achieve a detection level of 0.0005 (5 parts per million). If gluten is not detected then the food can be labeled gluten free.” Ref 2

The Coeliac Society of Australia notes that “some ingredients (i.e. glucose syrup, dextrose and caramel colour) are so highly processed that when tested, the results have always shown ‘no detectable gluten,’ even if derived from wheat,” Therefore, these common ingredients derived from wheat are rendered gluten-free, even though gluten is declared on the product label.” Hence the qualification: “the label gluten-free overrides the product’s ingredient listing, and products with statements such as “may contain wheat or gluten” should be avoided.” Ref 2

While The FSANZ quote suggests that Australia’s gluten free labeling standard is likely to become ‘law’, a 2007 survey conducted by the NSWFA suggests that the association has very few powers to enforce it. In 2007 the NSWFA undertook a survey of foods labeled “gluten-free” and found that of the 211 foods labeled as “gluten-free” in retail outlets that 4.7% did NOT qualify. (Ref 3) In fact, ten samples were found to contain gluten, with gluten content ranging from 4 ppm to 160 ppm. The highest foods were found to be prawn crackers (160 ppm) followed by Self- raising flour (30-45 ppm). Following international guidelines at the time, foods over 20 ppm were requested to be withdrawn voluntarily by the manufacturer.

CONCLUSION

Australia has ‘potentially’ one of the most stringent gluten free labelling laws in the world. If the ‘no detectable gluten’ clause is taken at its word and kits can test between 3 and 5 ppm gluten, then this SHOULD be the upper limit of allowable gluten in gluten free Australian manufactured foods. However from previous surveys, it appears that offenders of this law, are often given a voluntary request to withdraw products and no fines or penalties are issued, no media notification is required for ‘small’ infractions.

Europe and America have both settled on an upper limit of 20 ppm, yet this is not law in the US yet. The Celiac Sprue Association (USA) is pushing for gluten free limits to be dropped to 3 ppm however some US manufacturing groups believe that this will prove too difficult to attain in reality. Note that the Australian gluten free survey used Biokits Gluten Assay Kits manufactured by Tepnel Biosystems . The kits are an accredited AOAC Official method and measure gluten both qualitatively and quantitatively, with a limit of reporting of 3 ppm (mg/kg).

US research shows that many of its own country’s products contain labelling terms such as as ‘natural flavours’ and ‘spices’ which may or may not include gluten. If this is the case on such a progressive country it is strongly suggested that eating food from other countries that don’t abide by gluten free legislation IS a high risk venture. This raises the question of how much do you trust your local manufacturer not to allow cross contamination in the manufacture of ‘gluten free’ foods, and where exactly does your favourite gluten free restaurant source its ingredients?

Ref 1 http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Legislation/Challenges-and-benefits-of-gluten-free-labeling-laws

Ref 2 http://www.glutenfreeda.com/mar07_eating-out-gf.asp

Ref 3 http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/educationalmaterial/monitoringandsurveillance/foodsurveillancenewsletter/spring2008.cfm

In the last few years I have had a strong interest in e-marketing and website optimization. Find other great gluten free articles at www.glutenfreepages.com.au or LINK to the site for easy access to FULL articles including graphs and tables or visit my Market Analysis site www.brucedwyer.com CHEERS!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/gluten-free-labelling-laws-are-strict-in-america-20-ppm-but-are-not-the-most-strict-in-the-world-see-why-australia-is-choosing-limits-much-less-1672807.html

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The UK / England Gluten free market grew at 62% in 2009. Amazing growth during the GFC. See what people in the ‘mother land’ are choosing !

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:25:33 +0000

The following analysis uses Google data sets. Previous Gluten Free Pages research showed that the UK started with a healthy ‘search per celiac per month’ value of 2.2 in 2004. However, while Australia was in front of the UK and remains so, by 2008 both the USA and Canada had overtaken this GFP market measure value. The UK gluten free online demand (searches) trend has been very flat over the last five years, until last year.

When the top 50 monthly gluten associated searches are segmented into seven subcategories (see table below), it can be seen that each of the categories received a similar increase. While these increases are very large, it was found that all other leading gluten free online demand countries experienced an even stronger growth increase.

The first thing to notice about the gluten free search terms is that the top 50 Google Gluten associated search terms increased over the last year from 809K to 1.3M (+62%). The main group’s (gluten free) key phrases absolute volume changes were to gluten (201K -> 301K) and gluten free ( 135K -> 246K searches).

TOP 50 proportions

The composition of the proportions of each group are significantly different from the standard proportions experienced by other leading online demand countries. For example, the USA NOV 2009 gluten free group proportion data shows what is considered to be the standard proportions representative of leading ‘celiac searches per month’ countries (eg: USA, Canada, Australia).

The proportion of the top 50’s main generic gluten free group remained stable at 46% of the top 50 searches and the second largest group ‘celiacs’ decreased from 24% to 19%. The table below shows that the overall increase in the top 50 Google terms was produced by an increase in all groups search volumes.

GF GROUP………………..Search VOL 08………Volumes 2009………Increase

GF Generic………………375,700 ………………602,200………60%

Gluten diet………………23,480…………………53,900…………130%

GF Recipe ……………….58,480………………..124,000………112%

Coeliac ……………………193,180……………….251,500………30%

Wheat free……………….95,700………………..153,900………..61%

Locations…………………8,280………………….19,200…………132%

GF specific foods……54,280………………..100,200……… 85%

One of the more interesting trends is the growth in the GF specific food group. In that group the leading phrases are still GF bread and flour, however a significant number of people are starting to search for cakes, ‘dairy free gluten’ and chocolate.

LONG TERM GROWTH

Google permits trend analysis on individual terms, but plotting the top 50 that comprise the main analysis would provide little useful insight. The phrase ‘gluten free’ represents 41% of ALL searches within the generic group so its two year trend is plotted below as a proxy.

It is noted that not all subregions of the UK have trend data available, however England trend data shows almost an exact match to UK data.

Previous GFP trend line research and analysis for the UK shows that there is no particular seasonal trend. This is unusual in that most other leading gluten free search countries show strong seasonal trends over the last five years. The linear forecast over the past year extrapolates to a growth of 23% for this one term (compared with 10% for 2008).

The following table shows the Dec 2009 leading gluten free search citites in the UK, and their relative strength.

UK City ………………………GF Search Importance

St Albans ……………………1.0

Thames Ditton……………0.67

Milton Keynes……………0.605

Reading……………………..0.595

Sheffield…………………….0.575

Oxford………………………..0.57

Watford……………………..0.57

Hull…………………………….0.545

Poplar………………………..0.54

Edinburgh…………………..0.535

CONCLUSION

Previous analysis on UK searches up to 2008 showed that while it had a relatively high ‘celiac search per month’ value of 2.2 it had relatively flat growth. The analysis for 2009 shows that there has been significant growth in searches in the overall gluten category (top 50 terms).

In the last few years I have had a strong interest in e-marketing and website optimization. My strongest desire is to be working in the sustainability industry which causes large reductions in greenhouse gases. Find other great gluten free articles at www.glutenfreepages.com.au and LINK to the site to see updates or visit my Market Analysis site www.brucedwyer.com CHEERS!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/the-uk-england-gluten-free-market-grew-at-62-in-2009-amazing-growth-during-the-gfc-see-what-people-in-the-mother-land-are-choosing–1673111.html

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fructose malabsorption and fructose intolerance – maybe caused by fruit drinks – see why!

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:06:25 +0000

An article on the Gluten Free Pages site looks at how the increase in celiac disease victims could be caused by farmers over the last few hundred years purposely selecting varieties of grains that have abnormally high gluten levels. The purpose being to provide grains that will be turned into high gluten flours to assist bakers in keeping their breads and cakes together.

In a similar vein, consider that people who eat too much calorie rich food are prone to increased likelihoods of acquiring diabetes 2. Its not necessarily the foods, but the amount or concentrations that cause both diseases.

Some allergy reactions are believed to be traced to an increases in environmental pollutants lowering people’s resistance to certain allergies and diseases (changes in immune functioning). It appears that fructose malabsorptionand fructose intolerance may also be linked to a very simple ‘accidental’ increase in the concentration of fructose in certain foods in our diets. However, unlike the intentional increase in high concentration gluten grains, this increase in fructose has not been caused by a quest by farmers to pack more fructose into their fruits, the cause is seemingly further downstream.

While the following information is taken from a LA TIME article about the concerns of the over-consumption of fruit juice in our diets being linked to obesity, it also provides a good base for my fructose conspiracy theory.

The logic goes a little like this:

1 In World War II, the US Army commissioned scientists to invent a system for freezing OJ in a concentrated form. The result was the “Minute Maid” patent that created cans of frozen juice concentrate.

2 In the 1950s, Tropicana developed pasteurization technology so that juice could be sold in refrigerated cartons like milk.

3 US TV fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne and other health experts branded juice as a natural medicine, and decades of advertising made drinking juice concentrate a staple in our diet.

4 By the 1900s, Florida citrus growers harvested more oranges than they could sell – and because you can easily drink the juice of many more oranges than you can eat whole, they decided to sell high concentrations of juice in many drinks including cola sodas. This push to sell fructose heavy drinks in the US soon spread around the world.

Consider that “when fructose is eaten in a piece of fruit, it enters the body slowly so the liver has time to convert it into chemical energy. But a single glass of apple juice has the fructose of six apples.” Ref 1

Besides the bulk increase of fructose density that our bodies were never meant to consume, the concentrates also lead to obesity concerns which can lead to diabetes 2. Curiously as US and Australian schools are outlawing soda drinks in school vending machines, juice drinks are taking their place (which have equal calories and often more fructose).

While juice does add vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to our diet, fruit does the same, in much more appropriate concentrations. Raw fruit also contains many other nutrients that do not survive many drink manufacturing processes.

“A glass of juice concentrates all the sugar from several pieces of fruit. Ounce per ounce, it contains more calories than soda, though it tends to be consumed in smaller servings. A cup of orange juice has 112 calories, apple juice has 114, and grape juice packs 152, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The same amount of Coke has 97 calories, and Pepsi has 100.” 100% fruit juice poses the same obesity-related health risks as Coke, Pepsi and other widely vilified beverages. Ref 1

Now most of the main reference article is written with a view to warning people about the affects of concentrated fruit juice on weight gain, however as a fructose intolerance or malabsorptionperson should now understand, drinking fruit juice (concentrate) can directly relate to how you may have acquired your condition in the first place.

The author of this GFP article loves fruit and realises that this affair was fostered in childhood where his father grew many varieties of fruit trees in his home yard. As many people do not have this background it is easy to understand that parents with guilty consciences may think that substituting juice concentrate regularly into a diet is a clever way of getting ‘healthy food’ easily into everyone’s diet. However an overdose of concentrate is equivalent to an overdose of fructose, which “may” contribute to the early onset of fructose intolerance or malabsorption.

As a society we are much more aware of the way that all types of fats need to be controlled in our diets, however ‘good’ sugar variety levels are much lesser known and fructose can be concealed in many sources. It may be that adding fruit juice concentrate to your diet just exceeds the healthy daily allowance of fructose from all sources.

Consider the following list of “Foods highest in Fructose” (based on levels per 200-Calorie serving) that Ref 2 has compiled:

1 Carbonated beverage, cola, with higher caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink] Fructose: 29760mg

2 Carbonated beverage, cola, without caffeine [pop, soda, soft drink] Fructose: 29760mg

3 Carbonated beverage, lemon-lime soda, contains caffeine [pop, soft drink, white soda] Fructose: 28634mg

9 Carbonated beverage, SPRITE, lemon-lime, without caffeine [pop, soft drink, white soda] Fructose: 25954mg

10 Juice, apple and grape blend, with added ascorbic acid Fructose: 25837mg

FIVE of the TOP TEN FRUCTOSE CULPRITS ARE SODA DRINKS AND FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE.

CONCLUSION

Now consider the radical concept of avoiding high density gluten grains and products to starve off the risk of acquiring gluten intolerance (this may not help reducing the chance of acquiring coeliac / celiac disease as much as this is believed to be gene related). To avoid fructose intolerance, perhaps sticking to a non soda, non fruit juice concentrate diet is a good idea. Particularly as many drinks do not specify what type of sugar is included, nor do many people know what a ‘safe’ level of fructose in concentrate should be.

Imagine something that has been promoted for decades as a health panacea actually causing an illness, just because of its high concentration levels. With the high cost of fruit, and in particular organic fruit, it is easy to understand how buying fruit juice concentrate may seem like a healthy alternative. While the concept of avoiding or limiting juice concentrate in your diet and children’s diet may seem controversial I recommend that you read the article in the reference in full and make up your own mind.

References

1 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-juice8-2009nov08,0,5809992,full.story

2 http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-000011000000000000000.html

In the last few years I have had a strong interest in e-marketing and website optimization. My strongest desire is to be working in the sustainability industry which causes large reductions in greenhouse gases. Save the planet, save the people. Find other great gluten free articles at www.glutenfreepages.com.au or visit my Market Analysis site www.brucedwyer.com CHEERS!

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Candied Yams Getting Healthier? See Why and How

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:34:06 +0000

Candied yams is a fan favorite for millions of people, especially during the holidays. Who can deny it’s magical aroma, the taste sensations of cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and the butter, right!

When you think of a genuine holiday dinner celebration you have to think the succulent taste of candied yams. The holiday turkey or ham would be awfully lonely without this traditional side dish. But the one drawback with this popular taste treat , along with most food that taste good, is the calories.

In response to this dilemma, more creative cooks and southern recipe websites continue to work to bring a healthier friendlier style of southern cooking to the public. They succeeded at taming fried chicken by offering oven baked chicken, which is healthier and at the same time provides the taste and crunch so many people love. They have tamed the seasoning dilemma of flavoring vegetables with fat back and ham hocks, the two culprits that have quietly contributed to high blood pressure, obesity and other health ailments. This creative cooks have replace these traditional seasonings with natural flavor enhancers like garlic and onion powder, lemon juice, rosemary, basil and other natural seasonings.

Now these creative cooks and recipe publishers have set their sights on candied yams. They’ve reduced the level of sugar and replaced it with orange juice. They’ve reduced the level of artery clogging butter with healthier butter spreads and other natural flavor enhancers. The result is a healthier side dish the consumer is growing to love without the unhealthy side effects.

With the growing number of health conscious consumers, the need for healthier foods that still taste good enough to eat is the number one challenge of recipe creators and publishers today. Traditional southern dishes like southern candied yams is a tricky challenge that today’s recipe publishers are determine to meet. Stay tuned!

Try this candied yams video recipe. It’s delicious and easy to prepare. Go to …Soul”>http://www.blackhomeownernews.com/candiedyams.html””>Soul Food Candied Yams

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/candied-yams-getting-healthier-see-why-and-how-1496456.html