Sorry. I don't make the news. I just report it and I continue to believe the risks [facing the world] are so serious that...this is what will happen next. Soon Greece will default...[and] this will begin a chain reaction of [events leading to... I lay it all out in this short article and I think you will agree that it makes absolute sense.] Words: 912

The behavior of the stocks of the various gold miners in recent times warrants special attention. Let's take a look at the GDX:GLD ratio, the Gold Miners Bullish Index and the volatility of the currencies and stock market indices of the emerging markets where most of these mines are located and determine what they suggest as to what we could well expect in the performance of such stocks in the months ahead. Words: 585

There are many legitimate reasons to trade in gold and its derivatives. Gold has been proven time and time again to be an excellent “safe haven” investment, a holding that will appreciate in value during times of economic uncertainty. As such, gold may offer some valuable hedging and diversification benefits for a long-term portfolio. A number of exchange-traded products offering exposure to gold prices but not all gold ETFs are created equal. Here’s a quick rundown of factors to consider when making an investment in a gold ETF. Words: 1268

Can markets find the road back to positive territory? [There are] three reasons investors should consider [before deciding whether to] remain in equities or...sit on the sidelines, [namely that:] investor sentiment is signaling the market is over-extended to the downside, stocks are trading well below historical valuation trends and the S&P 500 dividend yields are higher than the 10-year Treasury yield. [Let's take a look at each of the three to help you come to a decision. Words: 960

How does the current behavior of the global financial markets compare with the two recent crises, namely the great financial crisis of 2008/2009 and the minor one in 2010 when the sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone developed? [I have analyzed 15 aspects of the markets and have concluded that over the next 2/3 months we should see, among other things, increased volatility, declining S&P 500 and MSCI World indices, a bottoming in the 10-year U.S. Treasuries yield, renewed U.S. dollar weakness, renewed strength in the price of gold and silver with silver outperforming that of gold. Take a look at the 19 charts below to see for yourself.] Words: 825

Third-quarter reporting season is set to begin [and,] as a result, the troubles in Europe are about to become background music as investors once again focus on individual company fundamentals and when it does, here are the three most important statistics we need to track. Words: 545

According to Barclays Capital, gold, silver, platinum and palladium, as well as other commodities, generally stand a better chance of handling a global economic downturn than other types of investments [because] commodities "are on a very different footing" from two years ago [which they explain in detail below.] Words: 350

It is widely accepted that Greece is insolvent even though the higher echelons of euro-zone politics still hesitate to use the term, and default swap prices...give virtually 100% odds that Greece will default. The handling of the issue has heightened the perception of risk for other problem countries of the euro zone...such that investors now give 60% odds of default by Portugal...and 30%-plus odds for default by Italy... Even France, with its S&P AAA rating, is now rated more likely to default than Brazil! [In addition, the U.S. is facing the liklihood of a fiscal policy impasse in Congress that could well lead to a recession. As such, as we see it, the risk of contagion in the financial system around the world has risen dramatically. We substantiate our contentions below.] Words:1612

[A]s we’ve consistently seen, when financial conditions get particularly rough, gold and silver lose their safe-haven appeal [but their]...prices may have already struck bottom and, [al]though we don’t expect them to run away to the upside, now may be the time for long-term investors to accumulate positions. That said, what should an investor buy: gold or silver? That is always an interesting question, but especially so during periods of rapid price movements such as now. [Below I analyze the gold/silver ratio and come up with the answer.] Words: 760

Harvard Professor/Economic Historian Niall Ferguson wrote recently that he is of the opinion that, while all the fiscal and monetary government stimuli undertaken by many of the governments of the world's developed countries since 2007 may have averted a second Great Depression, they will, most likely, still experience a "slight" depression. Campbell reviews the rationale behind Ferguson's position and then presents his view that, as he sees it, most developed countries will face, instead, "a form of" Stagflation where the prices of non-durable goods (food, energy, and basic consumables) inflate, but the price of durable goods (long-term assets such as houses, cars, refrigerators, etc.) deflate. Campbell's commentary makes for a very thought-provoking read. Words: 922