The Gold Tree Infographic below visualizes above-ground stock, sources and uses of gold and pictures the different forms of gold investments – ranging from physical gold in the form of bullion gold to securities not backed by gold.

In this article I lay out precisely why the coming Crisis in Europe will be THE Crisis I’ve been forecasting for the last 24 months, why it will have dire consequences on the U.S. and why the Fed can do absolutely nothing to stop it this time round. Words: 1334

About three months ago, shortly before Greece's sovereign debt was restructured, I began to warn about Spain as the next Eurozone country to focus on. That has, indeed, turned out to be 'all the news' with reports every day on Spain's deteriorating financial condition. Given the ongoing world economic uncertainty and volatility, however, I suggest you now begin to pay very careful attention to Italy going forward, but doing so without losing sight of what is transpiring in Spain. [Let me explain why I see 'Italy' eventually surpassing Spain as 'all the news'.] Words: 485

The plight of municipalities in the U.S., and their struggles under the weight of enormous pension budget deficits, are reaching the critical phase [with] many municipalities [now]contemplating bankruptcy. [That, in turn, is causing]... municipalities [to eliminate jobs (150,000 - 175,000 in 2012) providing significant headwinds to jobs growth nationally [which, in turn, will adversely affect] economic growth...[causing even] more municipalities to declare bankruptcy and [their] states, in turn, run to the Federal government for help. Words: 567

According to the latest real-time Worldwide Consumer Confidence Index most respondents believe that their economic circumstances will improve over the next 6 months even though such confidence has declined marginally from 30 days ago. You don't feel the same way? OK, read on and actually participate in the survey to have your view of things so recorded. It is fast and easy to do. Here's how. Words: 410

It is important when your read articles on Job Reports that you understand what Structural Unemployment is, and what it means to economic growth. [This short article will attempt to do just that.] Words: 432

No matter how you break it down — whether by party/ideology, household income, age, or any other category — the majority of Americans agree on one thing.....[Here are the details.] Words: 260

The Chinese central bank's doubling of the trading band on the Yuan/U.S.$ exchange rate to 1.0% as of today has been greeted by general enthusiasm and is seen as a very significant move on China's part for a number of reasons. Let me explain. Words: 772

If you have been on the fence trying to decide if you should rent or buy, the market may be in your favor. According to Trulia's Winter 2012 Rent vs. Buy Index it is now cheaper to buy a home rather than rent in 98 of the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. How can that be? Take a look!

The infographic below on vaulted gold explains what vaulted gold is and visualizes key facts relating to investments in gold that is stored on behalf of investors in high-security vaults.