Since the late 1800's, the Dow has experienced three periods where it traded sideways, ranging from 13 to 17 years, [which always] resulted in upside breakouts . The S&P 500 finds itself within a few percentage points of where it was 13 years ago [so the question is "Has the time now come for the Dow and S&P 500 to once again go Up, UP and Awaaay?" Let's take a look at some charts.] Words: 299; Charts: 2

We believe that we are in the “competitive devaluation” stage presently [see graph below] as country after country is printing money in order to lower rates and doing whatever possible to devalue their currency - to have the fastest currency in the...race to the bottom - in order to export their goods and services. [The next stage will be protectionism and tariffs. This article gives an update on the race to debase.]

I view the current market weakness in gold, coupled with the pullback in trader positions, as a shorting opportunity which is strong in terms of reward vs. risk. I have come to that conclusion by questioning the assumptions that many make about it, isolating its fundamental drivers and providing a trading recommendation as to where I believe the price is headed in the future. Let me share my analyses with you. (Words: 1440; Charts: 4; Tables: 1)

With growing global demand and declining mine grades commodity prices continue to rise. As such the exploration for minerals is taking on both new heights and new depths. This infographic outlines 5 of the most far-reaching and interesting ways of exploring for mineral wealth.

There is an increasingly disorderly currency war going on out there, and the advantage of gold is clear-- they can't print it, they can't default on it, and there will always be demand for it. Simply put, in the global currency wars, owning gold is like abandoning the battlefield altogether. Words: 270; Charts; 2

Gold investors often fail to watch the Federal Reserve with enough attention to detail and can miss buying opportunities like the present one, as a result. The case for gold is as strong as ever and I outline in this article why with details you're unlikely to see anywhere else. Words: 775; Charts: 6

Just as US investors are advised not to fight the Federal Reserve, gold investors worldwide would be well advised not to fight the Government of India. India is the world's largest gold consumer [and their intent on curbing gold imports by any means necessary could have a negative effect] on world gold demand [and, as such, most likely, on gold prices. IMO,] at best, we will see a sideways market in the price of gold in 2013, and at worst, this will be the year when gold prices start the inexorable drop.

The mainstream media wants us to believe that government spending is good for employment [but my analysis shows exactly the opposite. As outlined below, it clearly demonstrates that]....countries with higher government involvement have higher government spending, higher personal income taxes, higher unemployment and a weaker economy as a consequence. [Below are the facts to back up those claims.] Words: 525; Charts: 4

The U.S. Dollar Index is made up of a basket of [6] currencies that are, themselves, not static and, indeed, are involved in various forms of debasement as nations have taken the view that a weaker currency will boost their exports. As each nation enacts such policies, the result is gridlock, as every action taken to weaken one's currency is neutralized by a similar action taken by the competing currencies. That is currently what is happening with the constituents of the U.S. Dollar Index and why, as such, the U.S. dollar has not weakened. [Given the fact that] gold tends to have an inverse relationship with the dollar, and has increased when the value of the dollar has declined, we could, as a result, continue to see a capping in the advance of gold prices, at least in dollar terms. [Let me explain in further detail.] Words: 804; Charts: 1

Buffett's measure - the percentage of total market cap (TMC) relative to the U.S. GNP crossed 100% last week into stretched territory for the first time since 2007 which implies a mere return of around 3.3% annualized (including dividends) over the following years. [This post presents the components of the ratio and the conclusions drawn.]