When will Gold Reach a New High?
Friday, the 20th of January 2012
Some investors are frustrated and a few are worried that gold seems stuck in a rut. This stall in price has happened before, of course, but since 2001, it's always eventually powered to a new high. Unless one thinks the gold bull market is over, it's natural to wonder how long might we have to wait before seeing another new high.
The Rise of the Praetorian Class
Thursday, the 19th of January 2012
Much attention has been paid to the "disappearing middle class" and the "vanishing American Dream." While the observations are laregely accurate, they are also misleading.
The U.S. Government is Bankrupt
Saturday, the 14th of January 2012
Everyone knows that the U.S. government is bankrupt and has been for many years. But I thought it might be instructive to see what its current cash-flow situation actually is.
2012 Forecasts
Friday, the 30th of December 2011
A new wave of foreclosures is on its way. This is...
Suspend Habeas Corpus and Enact Martial Law?
Monday, the 12th of December 2011
Americans seem ready to forfeit their most basic civil liberty--actually, all their civil liberties--without a whimper.
Lamenting Bailouts
Tuesday, the 29th of November 2011
Some people are lamenting the bailouts the Fed has been making because the bailouts are ultimately falling on taxpayers, but...
Governmental Influence
Friday, the 30th of September 2011
As inflation grows, so does government’s influence. Why?
Secrets of QE, Gold & Currency Wars
Tuesday, the 20th of September 2011
Along with volatility in stocks and historically low yields in bonds, investor attention has recently been drawn to currencies. This is due to the currency wars that broke out in 2010 and have expanded lately. The recent Brazilian decision to cut interest rates to halt the appreciation of the real and the Swiss decision...
The Center of Gravity Shifts Slowly
Friday, the 2nd of September 2011
To an extent not fully appreciated by the investing public, financial markets are influenced by human emotion just as much as they are by economic data, corporate earnings, and dividend yields. Of all human motivations, fear is perhaps the most powerful. When people get scared, the "fight or flight" instinct forces us to take action.
Market Demand vs. Government Demand
Monday, the 29th of August 2011
How much difference can there be?
Beyond the Tipping-point
Sunday, the 14th of August 2011
The first thing we must understand is that the economic policies of the Keynesians and central bankers are not pure economics. Rather, they are the pursuit of social objectives by economic means.
The Real Banking Crisis
Tuesday, the 9th of August 2011
If you're a wealthy European depositor today, what do you do with your money? Do you really continue to keep cash in a Greek or Italian bank account?
The U.S. Government's Fight against Money
Tuesday, the 26th of July 2011
To follow the travails of a $20 gold coin from 1913 to the present...
Traditionally Hyperinflations Were a Local Phenomenon
Wednesday, the 29th of June 2011
Ever wonder why the hyperinflation in Germany during the 1920s was limited to Germany, or the hyperinflation in Zimbabwe a few years ago was limited to Zimbabwe?
Hedgers vs. Speculators
Monday, the 30th of May 2011
Hedgers have a very different mind-set (and purpose) from speculators. Hedgers want to transfer the risk of price change away from themselves. They do not cherish the perpetual fluctuations in prices that stem from changes in supply and demand. They prefer to transfer that risk of price change to others who are willing to assume such a risk.
New Zimbabwe.Com: The Zimbabwe News You Trust
Tuesday, the 17th of May 2011
On April 13, 2009, our article When Government Money Monopolies Fail wondered whether Zimbabwe might show the world the way to sound money. The latest news from Zimbabwe is a warning from the Zimbabwe central bank, which says...
Some Long-Term Consequences of Inflationomics
Saturday, the 30th of April 2011
By promoting inflationomics, central banks around the world have succeeded in raising prices and diminishing the purchasing power of their respective currencies. Some of the long-term consequences of this policy have been:
Debunking Anti-Gold Propaganda
Thursday, the 21st of April 2011
A meme is now circulating that gold is in a bubble and that it's time for the wise investor to sell. To me, that's a ridiculous notion. Certainly a premature one.
Follow the Money
Wednesday, the 20th of April 2011
You know silver's doing well when the commentators start giving it the "gold" treatment. Silver's recent rise has been so spectacular...
Will Precious Metals Survive the Double Dip?
Thursday, the 14th of April 2011
It is rare in recent history for precious metals to appreciate in parallel with the broader stock market. Yet, this has been the case in the two years since the stock market began crawling out of the wreckage of the 2008 financial crisis. Although metals have vastly outperformed U.S. equities over that time frame, it is noteworthy that...
A Tale of Two Brothers
Wednesday, the 30th of March 2011
How do you prepare for hyperinflation? Warren Buffett bought a railroad. Let me tell you a story…a tale of two brothers and how they faced hyperinflation. It was 1919, just after WWI in Germany when two brothers inherited...