
Although the stock market is the first place in which many people think to invest, the U.S. Treasury bond markets arguably have the greatest impact on the economy and are watched the world over. Unfortunately, just because they are influential, doesn’t make them any easier to understand, and they can be downright bewildering to the uninitiated. [This article provides you with an excellent understanding of what bonds are, the advantages of owning them and how to go about trading them.] Words: 1325
January 6th, 2012 | Posted in Asset Allocation,Investing | Read More »

Asset allocation is one of the most crucial aspects of building a diversified and sustainable portfolio that not only preserves and grows wealth, but also weathers the twists and turns that ever-changing market conditions can throw at it. However, while the average [financial] advisor or investor spends a great deal of time carefully analyzing and picking the right stocks or sectors, the basic and primary task of asset allocation is often overlooked. [According to research by both Wainwright Economics and Ibbotson Associates and the current Dow:gold ratio, allocating a portion of one's portfolio to gold and/or silver and/or platinum is imperative to protect and grow one's financial assets. Let me explain.] Words:1060
October 14th, 2011 | Posted in Asset Allocation,Investing | Read More »

Over the past two months stock markets have crashed around the world and gold prices have soared as global investors decided that the U.S. has lost its race against time. A new recession is upon us before we even half-closed the output gap left open from the last recession. It means even larger deficits and an even weaker dollar. The price of gold and Treasury bonds is telling us that a full-blown international bond and currency crisis is approaching. There is no international policy mechanism available to stop the panic short of re-opening the gold window that the U.S. closed unilaterally and “temporarily” in 1971. [Let me explain.] Words: 3025
August 31st, 2011 | Posted in Economic Overview,Economy | Read More »
The question most often asked of gold bulls is, “At what price will you take your profits?” It is a question that betrays a lack of understanding about why anyone should own gold. Nevertheless, the simple answer must be, “When paper money stops losing its value”. This response should alert anyone who asks this question to the idea that owning fiat cash is the speculative position, not ownership of precious metals. Words: 1403
January 2nd, 2011 | Posted in Asset Allocation,Gold/Silver,Investing,Other Commodities,Stock Indices | Read More »
A major crisis is coming in the first half of 2011 and it could cause a worldwide financial disaster, global market crashes and the destruction of wealth that will make the popping of the dot-com and housing bubbles feel like a mild inconvenience! Why? Because, quite simply, America is playing a dangerous game of “chicken” with its national debt – and the ramifications are extraordinary. Words: 1475
December 6th, 2010 | Posted in Economy | Read More »
The politicians in Washington tell us the economy is recovering. Well, maybe so … as long as you don’t need a job. The problems facing this country — in debt, energy, lost jobs, unbalanced budgets and more — continue to mount. In short, I think we’re headed for a head-on collision with hard times. Are you going to be ready? Words: 1386
September 12th, 2010 | Posted in Investing | Read More »
RBS is sounding the alarm on risk assets with a call that markets are at risk of falling off the edge of the cliff – by as much as 60-70%! They refer to equity investors as the “worst cult in history….which has no basis in fact, or history, but yet seems universally accepted.” They believe the current downturn could very well “destroy” this “cult”. They’re not just bullish on treasuries –they are super bulls with a 2% target on 10 year yields. Words: 1378
September 9th, 2010 | Posted in Asset Allocation,Investing | Read More »
Most investors didn’t take warnings about the future of the economy and the financial marketplace – warnings that a ‘Category 6 Fiscal Storm’, a ‘Debt-Driven Meltdown’, a ‘Systemic Banking Crisis’, a ‘Financial Train Wreck’, a ‘God-Awful Fiscal Storm’, etc. was in store for the U.S. – seriously until it began. Perhaps this time around, before the other shoe drops, we should become more informed so we will be better positioned to survive and prosper regardless of what comes next. Words: 2128
March 3rd, 2010 | Posted in Asset Allocation,Economy,Investing | Read More »
Over the longer term, some of history’s top strategists actually say that inflation is a big reason to buy stocks – not to avoid them. Foremost among them is Warren Buffett. His inflation research goes way back. In 1977 – just before the U.S. was about to enter into one of the worst inflationary climates in history – in a column for Fortune magazine he said, “stocks are probably still the best of all the poor alternatives in an era of inflation – at least they are if you buy in at appropriate prices.” Words: 664
March 1st, 2010 | Posted in Asset Allocation,Investing | Read More »
For the decade that began in the year 2000 the gold bug hypothesis was the right one: stocks, bonds, and real estate did, net of asset price inflation and deflation, performed worse and with higher volatility than the barbarous relic. Words: 401
January 7th, 2010 | Posted in Gold/Silver | Read More »