For 1000s of years much of the Middle East has held some of the world’s greatest concentrations of wealth. To outsiders it’s one big desert. To the insiders, it’s the ultimate gold - black gold!

Should the Fed raise interest rates at some point in the future, as is widely expected, such higher interest rates might bring far worse consequences than can be achieved by simply staying the course. While some small, even token, rate hike would be tolerable, a return to historical norms could reap consequences in the general economy far beyond the direct effect on the federal government’s fiscal status. The fact is that the federal government is ensnared in a debt and interest rate trap of its own making from which it will be difficult to extricate itself.

Though the stock, bond and currency markets, at the moment, are preoccupied with the question of when the first interest-rate increase will happen, the real story lies in where interest rates are ultimately headed because that answer defines where stock, bond and currency prices are ultimately headed and the reality, dear reader, is that the Fed simply cannot — and will not — allow interest rates to crawl very high. Why is that you ask? Read on!

Eventually, all markets correct excesses. The global economy is near a tipping point, and we must prepare our portfolios now, ahead of that chaos, for a big payday which means owning a meaningful amount of physical silver in addition to gold. Let me offer 7 reasons why that is the case. Words: 1588

You’ve almost certainly seen the chart below over the years – it shows the purchasing power of the US Dollar over time - and it looks terrifying. I call it the "stupid" chart, though, because it is a total misrepresentation of the facts because it isn't telling the full story. Here's why.

For those who can exercise even a minimal amount of foresight, taking self- direction has never been more important. That means buying physical gold and silver at any price.

The stock market is presently a roulette wheel with dimes on black and dynamite on red. We continue to have extreme concerns about the extent of potential market losses over the completion of the present market cycle.

To understand how the stock market behaves it is imperative to realize that the stock market is overwhelmingly influenced by interest rates. It’s difficult to overstate this key fact. Interest rates are the bone and marrow of the stock market. More specifically, the stock market is ruled by long-term and short-term interest rates creating an overriding framework for what drives the market in which different sectors do better or worse at different points in the economic cycle. This article explains the behavior more fully.

Investors often steer clear of investing in companies operating in the Alberta oil sands because of past infrastructure restraints— that is, until now. As such, we see the best of these companies having a great run for at least the next 12 months. Below we put forth 5 reasons why.

Have you ever wondered how dollar bills are made, why currency is too hard to replicate? Check out the infographic below to learn about the process that goes into printing U.S. paper currency.