I've been having the discussion on the title lately with a client, coworkers, and last night, with Certified Users in the WSO chat.

The discussion stems from the fact that since about June 2008, the return of GDX vs Gold Spot has deviated significantly.

For those of you who don't know, GDX is the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF. (You can find the Factsheet of the ETF Here) From the Factsheet:

I managed to pass Level II with a good breakdown (> 70% in 7 sections including all the big ones, 3 between 50-70) in exactly three months. I attribute my success mainly to discipline and desire to pass (Unlike 90% of people taking the test, I've been wanting to take the test since sophomore year, when I learned that 1/5 PMs had their Charter) but also this little simple sheet I created.

The sheet is very simple. I don't think I have to explain much. So I will be brief.

1. Only you will be seeing this sheet, So you'll only be lying to yourself if you inflate hours. I used my iphone timer and paused every time I went to the washroom or took a break. That 10 hour day somewhere on that sheet was the equivalent of 15 hours from the time i left to study till I came back.

2. I like these sheet over using calendars mainly because it takes 30 seconds to input. You can also add a comment section to input your thoughts about the study session.

Considering most of my clients are out in their beach and country homes vacationing leading to a very slow day at work, I figure I write about one of my favorite market developments of the year, The Hedge Funds vs. Herbalife war.

EDIT: Guys I think its important to get this site to the top of the google search when you search for 'Herbalife': http://factsaboutherbalife.com/

Herbalife LTD. is a network marketing company that sells weight management, nutritional supplement, and personal care products. The Company sells its products globally through a network of independent distributors. Herbalife also sells literature and promotional materials.

Man I love this story. As some of you know, Einhorn started the war on MLM in May of this year, when he nonchalantly asked a couple of questions on HLFs earning call which led to one of the most awesomes live drops in a stock price I've seen. (You can hear and read WSO comments about the call here.

Margin Call (2011)
105 min - Thriller - 21 October 2011 (USA)
Director: J.C. Chandor
Writer: J.C. Chandor
Stars: Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci and Kevin Spacey

I read somewhere this weekend that this movie came out on Friday and I decided like a good finance geek to go watch it tonight. I must say that out of all the finance movies I've seen and own (Boiler Room, both Wall Streets, Rogue Trader, and a plethora of documentaries), this might be my favorite one.