With the Democratic National Convention in full swing, expect much attention focused on alternative energy, Cleantech and environmental issues. After all, House Speaker Pelosi has mentioned that her goal is to save the planet and Al Gore will show up and do his usual speech on how global warming will destroy the planet if we don’t do anything ASAP. I don’t want my cynicism to show through but have the DNC and Obama’s organizers taken any measures to ensure that this convention is environmentally friendly? How much energy is being used to run the event? Just asking.

Anyway, a great article out in the Jpost today about how Israel is on the way to being a world leader in Cleantech. While Shai Agassi’s electric car initiative has gained many headlines around the world, Israel is also very quietly making strong inroads, in solar and water technologies. The article focuses on how Israel is developing the technology for the purpose of letting larger nations do the implementation. Much like the current technological revolution, Israel has been behind many of the advances that have powered us forward. The view is that Cleantech will be Israel’s next boom industry as technologies will be developed that power a move away from crude oil towards alternative energy sources.

The article quotes Isaac Berzin, an expert in using algae to curb greenhouse gases: “Israel should be a world leader - creating the solutions the world is looking for. Investments are coming to Israel [as a result] and lots of jobs are created. Let’s say you develop a major solar technology, which is cost effective etc. What’s the demand for electricity in Israel? A small fraction of world demand. If your only output is Israel then you are in trouble. Hi-tech was great for Israel. Where were the markets? Out there, which is absolutely fine.”

It’s interesting that the one thing Israel lacks is natural resources. The one thing Israel has loads of is brainpower, ingenuity and entrepreneurship. Isn’t it ironic that Israel is using its’ main resource to try and level the economic playing field by developing technology that will greatly lessen the need for natural resources.

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Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

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You turn on the faucet, and-voila-you have a drink of water! Those of us who come from western nations tend to take water for granted. However, after a few years in Israel, we appreciate the fact that whatever water we receive is a gift. The media is filled with reports about how the world is running low on crude oil, but not too much attention is paid to the growing water crisis.
Water as an Investment
As abundant as it appears to be, only about 20% of the global population has access to running water.  Additionally, only one-third of the world’s population has access to clean water. In fact, many estimate that in 40 years, more than four billion people, half the world’s population, will be living in areas that are chronically short of water. Moreover, economic development has placed greater pressure than ever on the supply of fresh water. In 1900, the global annual water use per capita was 350 cubic meters. In 2000, that number had grown to 642 cubic meters. In the United States alone, the demand for water has tripled in the past 30 years, while the population has grown by just 50%.
China, Africa and the United States
The need to increase access to clean water around the world has led some to call water the “oil” of this century. As the world becomes more and more developed, wealthy countries will not only be able to afford, but will also have a moral obligation to provide this basic necessity to their citizens. China and India, which are experiencing economic booms right now, are therefore investing hundreds of billions of dollars in improvements to their water infrastructure, while many sub-Saharan African countries that are beginning to show signs of economic growth will soon need to begin to provide basic resources to their population. In all three of these examples, these are huge populations that are in their infancy when it comes to the basic needs of their citizens. They have been steeped in poverty for decades, and they are emerging only now. As such, they need to start from scratch, which means access to water and building roads.
In terms of the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that up to $1 trillion will have to be spent on upgrading U.S. water infrastructure over the next few years. The country’s aging infrastructure, much of which is more than 100 years old and has long exceeded its useful life, is in a state of utter disrepair. In the United States alone, the network of drinking water pipes extends more than 700,000 miles - more than four times the length of the National Highway System. This all adds up to the need for new reservoirs, better water canals and more efficient irrigation systems. Israel happens to be a global leader in the innovative technology needed for making such repairs.
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While many experts believe that there will never be substitutes for water, I tend to take a much more optimistic view of things. All kinds of technologies are being created to tackle the issue before it turns into a crisis. If we were to fast-forward 50 years, I am sure that we would be shocked at the technological advances made. Investors should speak with their financial advisers to see what options are available to invest in the water industry.

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Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

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Even with predictions of crude oil hitting $200-300 per barrel, the current drop in crude has it moving very quickly down to the $100 level. While investors have been focused on how the drop in oil will impact oil related stocks, I think they need to take a bit more of a Macro view and look at the impact on emerging market investing. The first country that comes to mind is Brazil. Brazil has been one of the world’s best performing markets so far this year, but a drop in crude prices may severely impact their market going forward as so much market weighting is given to companies in the oil industry.  To a lesser extant this applies to Latin America as a whole.

With crude prices dropping it wouldn’t be too surprising for other commodity prices to follow suit. So much emerging market economic growth has centered around the huge run up in commodity prices, as many of these countries are blessed with rich supplies of raw materials. Russia and other natural resource based economies like Australia, and even Canada could be in for a rude awakening if we get a continued drop off in commodity prices.

So which emerging markets will benefit? I think Israel is one. Blessed with little in the way of natural resources, but with an abundance of creative and entrepreneurial people, Israel will continue to produce cutting edge innovation that powers the technological revolution that we are in the midst of. I wouldn’t be surprised to see rotation in emerging market investments with natural resource based economies being under-weighted and countries that produce value added goods, be over-weighted.

Aaron Katsman, IsraelNewsletter.com

Disclosure: Author’s fund has no positions in any stock mentioned as of 7/23/08.

Please see our Disclaimer HERE.

NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.

Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

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Aaron Katsman
IsraelNewsletter.com

While it sounds opportunistic, many investors think that the best time to invest is when there is ‘blood in the streets’. One industry that has been absolutely crushed is the oil refinery business. With prices of crude oil reaching record high levels daily, refiners are feeling the squeeze. That’s why it’s interesting that the Israeli refiner Delek US (DK) is reportedly looking to make acquisitions in the range of $1 billion.

According to a report in the Israeli daily, Globes,: “Delek US Holdings Inc.  notified the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday that it ‘is currently exploring the potential acquisition of certain petroleum refining, retail, and wholesale marketing assets in the US’ for $1 billion.”

The report continues: “US energy market sources believe that Delek US is seeking to buy a refinery in Oklahoma. Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) and Sonoco Products Company (SON) have both put up refineries for sale because of eroding profit margins.”

Shares in Delek have lost more than 65% over the last year. But you have to love their vision. They can get  another refinery at a huge discount, so they are buying it.  You have to believe that at some point the price of crude will drop. If it doesn’t, then all the refiners will probably go out of business anyway, so to me this deal makes a lot of sense. What do they have to lose?

Buy low and sell high. Over the long-term management may turn out to be real heroes. Instead of resting on their laurels through a bad market cycle they are looking for ways to enhance future shareholder value. Loading up on cheap assets when things are tough. If the price of crude starts to fall, look for shares in Delek to potentially power higher.

Disclosure: Author’s fund has a position in DK. He has no position in any other stock mentioned as of 6/29/08.

Please see our Disclaimer HERE.

NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.

Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

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