The International Monetary Fund has just released its 2012 World Economic Outlook, sub-titled 'Growth Resuming, Dangers Remain'. I have read it in full and present a brief synopsis of it below which will save you more than 1 hour of your time doing so. I have also commented on some of their statements to provide greater clarity and understanding of what the report conveys. Words: 674

Investors are being told that the worsening sovereign debt crisis in Europe will leave the U.S. economy unscathed....[because,] since we don’t make many things to export to Europe, our GDP won’t suffer a significant decline at all.... What [has been] conveniently overlooked, [however'] is the fact that 40% of S&P 500 earnings are derived from foreign economies and the seventeen countries that make up the Eurozone have collapsed into recession. [Let me explain what effect that will have on the performance of the S&P 500 this summer.] Words: 325

Investors should look for protection from this global storm by owning physical gold or even gold mining stocks for that matter because they are so undervalued vis-a-vis bullion. I have no appetite for bonds or cash because every central bank is debasing their own currency and cash yields nothing.

Economist Gary Shilling, excellent forecaster of past recessions and chief pooh-pooher of today’s market enthusiasm, thinks consumers are in worse shape than they’re letting on ...[and,] while his general pessimism puts him very much at odds with the market for the first few months of the year, it looks like he’s gaining some followers. [Take a look at his] point-by-point explanations of his opinions, [supported by charts , and see if you, too, come to the same conclusions.] Words: 740

Auto sales, consumer confidence, manufacturing, retail sales, exports - you name it - over the last six months, nearly every facet of the U.S. economy has shown improvement and the real estate market is no exception. [Here are 11 irrefutable signs that such is the case.] Words: 800

Frustrated with what they viewed as being ignored by the West and not having a prominent role in institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (also known as the BRICS countries) have held their second summit...[and declared war on the U.S. dollar. Let me explain.] Words: 572

Politicians always appear to consider the cost of acting versus the cost of inaction. As long as more money is lined up: be that from the central government for the regions; be that from a European stability fund for the government; or be it from the IMF, incentives for reforms are taken away. [Spain is a prime example of what is wrong with Europe - and much of the world. Let me explain why that is the case and how to benefit from the overall situation.] Words: 1174

I continue to see articles in the media claiming that Europe's problems are solved. Either the folks writing these articles can't do simple math, or they don't bother actually reading any of the political news coming out of Europe [so let me present 3 data points that guarantee Europe will collapse at some point in the near future]. Words: 722

Spain is an absolute disaster on a level that [it seems] few, if any, analysts can even grasp. [Let me try to.] Words: 428

People get confused about the nature of mass inflation, hyperinflation, and what causes both. [Let me clarify the nature and causes of each.] Words: 930