This week on Stockhouse November 5 to 9

The bears were back in full force this week, but contributors found ways to focus on opportunities throughout the investing landscape, including plays in oil, gold, nickel, uranium and silver.

littleguy123 turned his attention to the world’s energy crisis – “interesting” – to say the least. Read the returning community contributor’s take on the coming energy crisis in Living in “Interesting Times.”

This week, Danny Deadlock profiled a nickel producer that he said deserved a second look in Nickel play that’s NOT over hyped.

In the first edition of a new series on Stockhouse, Luke Brocki, who is a managing editor of U308.biz, recapped a volatile week in the uranium markets as prices continue to climb from a summer slump, in Uranium week in review.

Fittingly, Monday’s Buzz on the Boards spotlighted Utah Uranium Corp. (NASDAQ: UTUC, Bullboards) and Explor Resources (TSX: V.EXS, Bullboards).

A small company that makes wireless location solutions jumped higher after it reported its first quarter of positive cash flow. Read more in the new Stockhouse U.S. Small and Micro-cap Stock Report.   Meantime, some upbeat results from a Quebec mining property helped lift shares of a small gold producer. For more news about small stocks that made big moves in Monday trading, please read the Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report.

The speedy retreat of the U.S. greenback prompted Greg Silberman to present an argument that gold is the best place to park investment dollars, in Gold rising against all currencies.

Community contributor nwatson urged fellow investors to bundle up against the chill afflicting shares of an outdoor footwear maker, in High performance pressure forces collapse of monumental proportions. 

The Tuesday Buzz on the Boards focused on talk at Lexington Energy Services (OTC: BB: LXES, Bullboards) and Central Fund of Canada (TSX: T.CEF.A, Bullboards).

An equipment order helped send shares of a small aeromedical company into the stratosphere in the Stockhouse U.S. Small and Micro-cap Stock Report. A gold miner with a new strategic partnership vaulted 41% on the same day. For more news about small stocks that made big moves in Tuesday trading, please read the Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report. 

Stacey Laliberte concluded his three-part examination of the “recession proof” portfolio with a look at gold. Read his article What if a recession? to learn more.

Roy Martens, writing from the Netherlands, submitted a chart-filled analysis of various commodities in Sector-wide technical analysis – gold, silver, oil, USD, copper – 11/5/07.

Is the U.S. economy teetering near recession? Donald Dony looked at consumer spending for some clues – in U.S. economy: Some cracks showing.

Economic confidence as related to peaks and troughs in the banking sector, along with a brief aside on recent uranium prices, were the subjects of Steven Saville’s article Economic confidence / uranium update today.

Does Lululemon (TSX: T.LLL) have the sizzle to take on the U.S. market? Don Rodgers didn’t know for certain, but he did offer very specific guidelines for a short-term trade of the yogawear maker, as well as a couple of Canadian oil plays. Read Don’s complete analysis in Momentum and contrasts.

Buzz on the Boards spotlighted Fording Canadian Coal Trust (TSX: T.FDG.UN, Bullboards) and Waratah Coal (TSX: V.WCI, Bullboards).

China-related stocks are hot, and a digital media IPO was the start of the day in the U.S. Small and Micro-cap Stock Report. A report detailing oil seeps at one company’s Saskatchewan property gassed a big gain for one venture-listed firm. Read more in Wednesday’s Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report.

David Reidel, of Reidel Research Group, answered questions about how to make money by investing in Chinese companies in a time of U.S. turmoil, in Continuing to play China.

Troy Schwensen posited that silver is ready to play catch up with gold in Silver is poised.

Buzz on the Boards reviewed the growing world of ETF investments with a focus on the Horizons BetaPro S&P/TSX 60 Bear Plus ETF (TSX: T.HXD, Bullboards).

A merger agreement boosted confidence in shares of a hardware retailer. For details, please read the Stockhouse U.S. Small and Micro-cap Stock Report. Also on Thursday, a venture-listed energy company contracted to borrow $1.5 million for working capital to drill and develop a well in the Mississippi delta. To read about other stocks on the move, please check out the Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report.

On Friday, Dan Miller shared his opinions on the latest action in Alberta’s oil patch in Stelmach’s Sssstttttumble.

While the writers of Casey Research forecast $100/barrel oil, Dan Sweeney explained the many hurdles blocking rapid development of alternative energy sources.

Nancy Zambell wrote a cheat sheet about how to assess a company’s income statement, but you’ve got to say Show me the money first.