[The European Union] will collapse before the end of the year and very likely before the end of the summer. When this crisis hits it will be worse than 2008 and the world Central Banks will not be able to control the damage. What makes this time different are several items: [Let me explain]. Words: 1400

My 3 favorite barometers for gauging investor sentiment in order to predict market outlook...are SPY as a proxy for U.S. stock markets...GLD as a proxy for commodities and TLT as a proxy for U.S. bonds, and when these 3 markets make big moves, it´s time to pay attention to what they´re saying. [Let's review] how these 3 markets reacted during the crisis of 2009-2009 and then compare them to current market conditions. [Doing so] can give you an edge to be better positioned for the rest of this year. Words: 972

The latest CFTC report shows an extraordinarily high net long US dollar open interest in the futures markets...[which] is starting to increasingly look like a "crowded trade". That makes the dollar quite vulnerable to a downside correction. [As such,] any hint of incremental monetary easing by the Fed that involves balance sheet expansion could force a violent reversal....Words: 410

A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers has revealed that the majority of paid interns receive a job offer and the majority who accept such offers (the majority) stay with their new employer for more than 5 years. Conclusion: internships are a "win-win" for students and employers alike.

We are currently seeing bullish indicators regarding housing demand coupled with bearish indicators regarding housing prices. Let's take a look at the past relationship between house demand and house prices and see what it suggests for the future in real estate prices. Words: 450

This article is probably going to draw a lot of heat. Regardless, I feel it is only fair to present both sides of the argument when it comes to owning physical gold vs. owning gold ETFs. [Here they are.] Words: 497

[While] it is true that the US economy is doing much better than Europe’s, and especially southern Europe’s, from my perspective, the trajectory of the U.S. economy and the U.S. stock market are very much tied to eurozone events. Here are four reasons why U.S. investors should not underestimate the potential impact of events in Europe. Words: 450

The spectacular rally in the gold price over recent years [has] many observers asking if the precious metal has not moved ahead of its fundamentals...[and if it] has not entered speculative bubble territory. [To address that concern] I have calculated the purchasing-power-protection price of gold for the 43 years from 1970 to 2012 and compared it to the average market price for gold in every year [along with some background of events unfolding over each decade during that time period which should prove] useful as a framework for how to think about the [current] dollar-price of gold. [I think you will find it most enlightening. Take a look.] Words: 3973

Why are both debtors and creditors willing to build a status quo of massive unprecedented debt? [After all, the delusions of] creditors that debt is wealth and should never be liquidated, and of debtors that debt is an easy or free lunch have been smashed by the juggernaut of history many times before...[and] I think they will soon be smashed again. [Let me explain.] Words: 1150

There is some discussion in the blogosphere that the recent spike in gold reflects increased inflation expectations (possibly due to higher potential for Fed's QE3). That may be true, but that assumption is completely inconsistent with inflation expectations implied by TIPS.