A Barclays Capital research [report] notes that gold prices are vulnerable to a recession - more so than some of the other commodities. In the last recession of 2008, gold prices appreciated the least among precious metals. Below is a table that ranks 30 different commodities. Words: 571

Whilst it is true, more often than not, that mining stocks move in the same direction as gold [and historically outperform that of the physical metal based on their better beta statistics] there are periods where this relationship does not hold. That is one of the reasons we currently have no interest in trading or investing in mining stocks. Why form a bullish view on gold and buy mining stocks based on this view, only to see gold rise and mining stocks fall? [Instead,]... our preferred strategy to optimize and maximize potential profits... is using options that are directed based on the price of gold with no other factors influencing their performance. [Let us explain why.] Words: 1235

Natural gas is increasingly becoming an important fuel in meeting the global energy needs. Let's take a quick look at the largest natural gas fields in the world. Words: 300

Imagine that you could pay for a service online without accruing a mountain of fees. Imagine being a retailer and having the ability to take your customer’s money – and keep all of it. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Well, now it’s not. Introducing Dwolla [- a better alternative to credit cards and Pay Pal for everyone involved, except the banks. Let me explain.] Words: 615

You’d be in the top 1 percent of U.S. households if your income in 2010 was at least $516,633; your net worth in 2007 was $8,232,000 or more, and your average income this year is $1,530,773. Where did the top 1 percent make its money? [Take a look at the following charts for the answers.] Words: 1048

If sales for November and December match the levels of 2010, total sales of American Silver Eagle coins for 2011 should... [be] more than 20% above the record breaking sales level of 2010. [Not only that but] with physical demand remaining robust and investors seeking safe-haven investments in the face of the Eurozone debt crisis, I believe we could still see silver break above $50 by year-end or during Q1 of 2012 at the very latest. [Let me explain.] Words: 402

In 1956 Hubbert predicted that US oil peak [production] would be sometime between 1969 and 1971 for [which] he was ridiculed...[but it did precisely that - ] in 1970... Then, in 1974, he predicted [that] the world ] production of crude] oil [would] peak [around] 1998 [qualifying that projection by saying] that if OPEC were to restrict the supply, then the peak would be delayed by 10-15 years which would put it at 2008-2013, or exactly right. OK, now is anyone willing to make a bet that Hubbert's THIRD prophecy about the cultural crisis he expected is wrong? Didn't think so. Here it is [- and I include in the article several suggestions on how Hubbert's 3rd forecast might actually be averted were the powers to be agree to take drastic action, which is unlikely]. Words: 1369

We now believe that there is at least a 50% probability of Israeli airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites... Iran has multiple retaliatory options at its disposal...[and it begs the question:] Which options would most adversely affect the price of oil? [Let's take a look at what those options would be.] Words: 544

About two years ago, I looked through a BHP Billiton presentation which listed the number of years remaining for particular commodities. It was not an analysis of “peak” commodities as such, just a report on when various commodities would be completely, 100% depleted based on current usage rates and reserve assumptions. Copper in that report was determined to be scarcer than oil! [What does that mean for the future well-being of the U.S. - and the world?] Words: 1380

The unemployment rate declined [slightly in October] from 9.1% to 9.0%...[but a close look, in chart form, at the pattern of unemployment compared to the S&P 500, the extent of unemployment over 27 weeks duration, the ratio of employed people to those aged 16 and over, the average length of unemployment and how extensive unemployment has been in this most recent recession compared to each of the others over the past 60+ years, is very revealing as to how serious the situation is. It is very depressing, indeed.] Words: 601