Political endorsement of an industry, and how you can capitalize from political capital. Was there ever really any doubt once George W. Bush became the 45th President of the United States, that oil companies would see favorable legislation passed that would enhance their ability to increase profitability? Not in my mind! That being said, is there really in doubt that if the next president is a Democrat alternative energy companies will see favorable legislation passed and signed which will increase their ability to produce clean energy, and thus increase their profits. Not in my mind!

One of my favorite investment guru's Will Rogers once said, "The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket". Each time I foray into investments that I would classify as speculative, and I classify most Alternative Energy companies as such, I can hear old will standing over my shoulder reciting his sage advice. When exploring equity classes that I consider speculative I prefer to minimize my risk, one of my favorite strategies for doing so is to employ Exchange Traded Funds or Mutual Funds. I prefer strength in numbers. Many sophisticated or seasoned investors might feel comfortable with the risk level associated with individual speculative stocks, I do not. Old Will Rogers also said, "Always drink up stream from the herd." That is the kind of investment advice I can understand.

Over the years investing in alternative energy has been a kin to "tilting at windmills"(indulge me one Don Quixote reference). The risk inherent to investing in individual companies engaged in alternative energy in the past has been, to put it mildly, exorbitant! With a risk profile that even hedge funds shied from, these alternative energy companies were typically persona non-gratta with Wall Street, and certainly with main street investors. The few brave souls who ventured into solar companies of the 70's, 80's, and 90's typically returned to more main stream equities licking their wounds. If they had only followed sage Will's advice on doubling your money?

If your standing at the edge of the proverbial stream (see Old Will Rogers above), I would encourage you to consider utilizing an Alternative Energy ETF. There are 5 ETF's that I am familiar with that are levered to alternative energy:

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Liquid (QCLN) The investment seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses of the NASDAQ

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