Housing makes up 42% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) with the rest of it - food, energy, clothing, recreation, education, transportation, toys, cosmetics, etc. - making up the other 58%. [The current] softness of housing prices is artificially suppressing the growth of the CPI inflation rate [but with the coming increase in lumber costs that is about to change. Let me explain] Words: 772

The Baltic Dry Index is often cited by economists as a bellwether of global economic activity. The index, which measures the price of transporting raw materials by sea, has now risen by more than 21% from its recent lows and is also up 16% in the last week alone ...calling into question the advent of a global recession. [Let us explain.] Words: 292

Benjamin Graham, known as the father of value investment, is famous for his simple, yet powerful, valuation method as first explained in his 1973 book, Intelligent Investor, and later updated in his book entitled Renaissance of Value. His "Graham Number" approach has been adapted and applied to all 30 stocks listed on the Dow Jones Industrial Index to determine which of the stocks have above average safety factors - of which only 10 do. Below is an explaination of the approach, the formula and the results for all 30 stocks. Words: 1220

We are in a "new normal" environment with a future of low returns and high volatility. The Fed is pledging to keep short-term interest rates near zero through mid-2013. [Nevertheless,] in this low-yield world, there are still plenty of large ETFs offering yields higher than the 10Year Treasuries. [Let me explain in detail below.] Words: 723

Jeremy Siegel offered in his book, Stocks for the Long-Run, several actionable techniques that investors might find beneficial, one of which was a 3 parameter approach to stock valuation called the O-Metrix Grading System. The metrix has been applied to all 30 stocks listed on the Dow Jones Industrial Index and 5 stocks top the list. Below is an explaination of the approach, the formula and the results for all 30 stocks. Words: 985

You have no doubt read countless articles on the price of gold costing x dollars per "troy ounce” or perhaps just x dollars per "ounce" but the difference between the two measurements is significant. For that matter, what’s the difference between a 24 karat gold ring and an 18 karat gold ring? Let me explain. Words: 863

Recent stock market action has brought the major indexes into at least a correction zone, if not an outright new bear market. So, if this is a new bear market, how can you dodge another bear bite? [I have 4 suggestions on how to do just that. Read on!] Words: 746

The United States is now so far in debt, it will never be able to pay it off, that is, without hyper-inflation. That subject alone will require many more articles than this. The sky is not falling (yet) but your savings and investments are in dire jeopardy going into 2012. You might wish to now do something to protect yourself. [May I offer the following investment ideas.] Words: 1648

When someone points to the Fed, the U.S. government and its “central planning” or “money printing” as the primary cause of the surge in the price of gold and justification of their USA hyperinflation theory, you might do them a favor and let them know that they’re right about the flaws of central planning and excessive money printing [but] that they’re focusing on the wrong central bank. [Let me explain why that is the case and who the real "culprit" is.] Words: 856

With gold’s ever increasing price and all of the bullishness out there today [I have identified] 5 different situations that would cause the gold trade to unwind. Two are more of the short-term correction variety, while three are more of the long-term new bear market type. [Let me explain.] Words: 831