In 1959, I started studying the stock market. Since then there has not been a single stock market downer in the year leading up to a presidential election. In fact, stocks usually make big gains-more so than in any other year of the election cycle. In this issue, I cover the impact of the presidential election cycle on the stock market, especially the year preceding the election. But the bulk of the issue is spent discussing my investment strategy. You need to read what I have to say about Japan versus South Korea. I also discuss fixed income and what you can expect in 2006 with regard to my Big Idea — the impending retirement of 76 million Americans. I have some new funds and some old for you to consider as well as some new stock offerings. Make sure to read this month’s issue; it will help you prepare for 2006.

Tags: AA, ABX, AL, Al Qaeda, Alcan, Alcoa, American Century Zero Cupon, Archstone-Smith, ASN, Barrick Gold, BHP, BHP Billiton, BlackRock Dividend Achievers Trust, BlackRock Global Energy & resources Trust, BP, Cameco, Canadialn General Investments, CCJ, China, Commodity Real Return, COST, Costco, Dodge & Cox income, election year cycle, ExxonMobil, FAL, Falconbridge, FCEa, Fidelity International real Estate, Fiduciary/Claymore MLP Opportunity Fund, forest City, GDP, General Jon Abizaid, Iraq, iShares MSCI Australia Index, iShares MSCI Singapre Index, jazz, Katrina, MCD, McDonalds, Microsoft, MSFT, Mutoual Series, NEM, Newmont Mining, Norfolk Southern, NSC, PCL, PDG, PEP, Pepsico, PIMCO, PIMCO All Asset, Placer Dome, PLD, Plum Creek, President Bush, PRJPX, Prologis, Rayonier, RD, Rio Tinto, Royal Dutch, RTP, RYN, streetTracks Gold Shares, T. Rowe Price Japan Fund, T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund, T. Rowe Price New Era, T. Rowe Price Teck cominco, Third Avenue International, Third Avenue International Value, third Avenue Real Estate, Third Avenue Small-Cap, Third Avenue Small-cap value, Third Avenue Value, Third Avenue Vanguard Precious metals & Mining, Union Pacific, UNP, Vanguard GNMA, Vanguard Inflation Protected Securities, Vanguard Intermediate Term Treasury, Vanguard Precious Metals & Mining, Vanguard Short Term Investment Grade, Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund, Vanguard Wellington, VWELX, XOM

1948 was the beginning for the greatest jazz vocal group in history, the Four Freshman. Even today there is Four Freshman vocal group still maintaining great harmony and overtones–much like my favorite Third Avenue funds. Two of my favorite funds closed, but Third Avenue does have two value funds that you should take action on after you read this issue. I discuss what I believe are the three ways we can end the U.S. trade deficit and cope with the impact of a much cheaper U.S. dollar. I also revisit my Picks & Shovels strategy involving investing outside of China. I have two funds that are the right call for this Far East investment strategy. This month I have added four stocks to my list and eliminated some as well, so be sure to review. Lastly be sure to check out my new Perspective box, it will help you plan the rest of your investing year.

Tags: BHP, BHP Billiton, Castle Doctrine, Chaos Theory, China, COST, Costco, Four Freshmen, harley-davidson, HDI, Hong Kong, JAREX, jeb Bush, N.Y. community Bancorp, NYB, PII, Placer Dome. PDG, Polaris Industries, purchasing power parity, recession, RGR, Rio Tinto, RTP, ruger, second amendment, Sturm, T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund, T. Rowe Price New Era, Teck Cominco, Third Avenue Funds, Third Avenue International Value, Third Avenue Real Estate Value, Third Avenue Small-cap value, trade deficit, U.S. exports, Vanguard GNMA, Vanguard Precious Metals & Mining, WFMI, Whole foods, Yankee Candle, YCC, yuan