[One look at the P/E ratio of the S&P 500 these days clearly suggests that] the market is overly worried about the future. Put it this way: [were one to] apply the S&P 500 average earnings multiple of 16.94 from 2004 through 2007 to Wall Street’s earnings forecast for 2012 would give us an S&P 500 of 1,891! Words: 400

A market is not built solely on fundamental realities, but how broadly those realities are expected by investors. So it goes without saying that it can be very insightful to compare market expectations to reality. When expectations are high there is the likelihood for disappointment. When expectations are low there is a potential for upside surprise. There is actually an index that measures the relationship between economic reality and crowd expectations. It is the Citigroup Economic Surprise Index (CESI). [Let's take a look at what it is saying these days.] Words: 773

I heard some disturbing reports about the silver supply last month that I felt every investor should know [about] and while precious metals are currently in correction mode, the long-term concerns with supply won’t disappear anytime soon. In an attempt to get a handle on the bullion market, I spoke to Andy Schectman of Miles Franklin, who has contacts that run deep in the industry. What he sees everyday might just compel you to count how many ounces you own. Words: 2020

If you are an average person - intelligent and capable - who makes decisions with confidence and without emotion and have more than a few years in your investment time horizon before retirement then this article is for you. If you don't have them, then this article is really for you. Words: 795

Knowing where we are within the business cycle can help investors better position themselves for superior returns [because, as we all know,] during economic expansions equities typically outperform fixed income investments while the converse is typically the case during economic downturns. Current analysis of the business cycle suggests a period of slower growth ahead, not just in the U.S., but also globally, [but no signs of an impending recession. Let me explain.] Words: 834

Relative to gold, gold stocks are now +30% cheaper than they were at the bottom of [the previous] 20 year long bear market [and that, in addition to the current negative sentiment for the PM sector, suggests that now might be an ideal time to get your fair share of PM stocks and/or their associated warrants. Let's take a look at some charts that support my point of view]. Words: 908

Most economists see the latest Q1 GDP stumble as a blip, something we shouldn't worry about because the economy is still on track for recovery...[but] another way to look at it is that the economy is being harmed by monetary inflation and we are seeing massive distortions in the economy as a result of this intentional Fed policy - economic growth is stalling and industrial production, manufacturing, non-manufacturing, durable goods production, retail sales and employment is flattening-to-declining... I think this is the correct way of looking at things and, [as such,] Q1 is not a temporary blip on the road to recovery... [but another mile down the road to economic stagflation, price inflation, lower real estate prices, continuing high unemployment, a weaker dollar, higher taxes and more - much more! Let me explain.] Words: 2997

The economy can't be fixed...the old regime of general economic stability and rising standards of living fueled by excessive credit are a thing of the past... The sooner we can accept that idea and make other plans the better... [Let me explain.] Words: 1898

The precious metals correction is here. Gold and silver are down... and gold and silver stocks, as should be expected, are down even more but...have been hit much harder than they should have been. As a result, right NOW is the best time [we have seen] to buy gold stocks in more than two years and they’re poised to make another run of 30% in the next few months. Here’s why. Words: 767

[A look below at the trend in the U.S.'s share] of world GDP (data here) from 1969 to 2010... [shows an] amazingly stable share of world output which has remained [constant at 26.3%] for more than forty years...[and] is a testament to how America's dynamism, resiliency, and culture of innovation and entrepreneurship have enabled us to be productive in a tough world. [Let me expand on this further.] Words: 730