China continues to buy gold with both hands, keeping up all the gold they produce and importing even more! Imports were up 50% in October vs. the previous month; up 68% in November and up 74% in December. What will January bring given the continued weakness in the price of gold? Probably even more buying!

I recently explained my thesis for why gold's 12-year winning streak will come to an end in 2013...[and] nearly a month into 2013, the case for selling gold is gaining strength. [This article puts forth 5 compelling reasons why it is now time to sell gold.] Words: 690 ; Charts: 2

Gold stocks are down between 20% and 30% over the past year yet, in that same timeframe, the price of the gold has risen. As a result, sentiment toward gold stocks is pitiful. Even diehard gold bugs are tired of losing money in gold stocks and have been dumping their shares in disgust. This article discusses 4 main reasons I can think of why gold stocks might be so cheap. Words: 444

GDX is currently at approx. 42 but should it drop below the 39 & 40 levels reached last May and July our analysis shows that a good deal of sellers could come forward and push GDX a large percentage lower. That double bottom needs to hold in GDX!!! Take a look at the chart below and you will clearly see why that is the case.

16 point 7 trillion dollars. That is our current national debt. 12 point 8 trillion dollars. That is the amount households carry in mortgage and consumer debt. We are now addicted to debt to lubricate the wheels of our financial system. There is nothing wrong with debt per se, but it is safe to say that too much debt relative to how much revenue is being produced is a sign of economic problems. At the core of our current financial mess is how we use debt as a parachute for any problem. [Unfortunately,] addictions are never easily cured and we have yet to come to terms with our insatiable appetite for debt. Words: 850

Higher (lower) inflation expectations have remained closely bound with higher (lower) stock prices [of late but] this odd connection won't last forever...[but] until that changes, it's best to go with the flow....[This article explains] the new abnormal. Words: 266

As we all know, money printing always leads to inflation. It's just a matter of figuring out which assets get inflated. This time around gold is not the only beneficiary, stocks are, too, and I'm convinced that the chart below holds the key to the end of the bull market. Words: 475; Charts: 1

The infographic below summarizes changes in economic indicators, relevant news stories, commodity and financial trends, and provides technical analysis. It is VERY informative.

Given the economic outlook, there seems little reason for stock prices to be as high as they are...This market could be called a "Madoff Market" in the sense that it is a Ponzi scheme, not the classic Ponzi scheme where exponential growth of new dupes is necessary to keep the scam going...but, rather, on exponential money creation. Fantasy is fun while it lasts but reality eventually intercedes and...[and it is] those way out in fantasy land [who] are especially vulnerable to disappointment [and] so it is for those betting on the stock market and an economic recovery. Let me discuss this further. Words: 1075

[The U.S. governments attempt to prevent the rating agencies (and Standard & Poor's in particular) from following through on their threats to further downgrade the credit worthiness of U. S. government debt] smacks of absolute desperation. It seems that Washington insiders have come to the conclusion that the stability of the U.S. government and financial system is threatened by the ratings agencies. In this case, it is threatened by creditors and citizens knowing the truth about the financial condition of the government.