Gold

The gold-to-silver ratio indicates whether gold or silver is undervalued or overvalued relative to each other. Many people believe the ratio should be roughly 16:1, since it was the level observed [over the] centuries, but this is nonsensical reasoning. Let me explain.

When the price of gold is mentioned as costing “x dollars per troy ounce” do you fully appreciate the signifance of the term "troy"? When looking to buy gold jewellery do you fully understand what the difference is between an item that is 10 "karat" gold and another item stamped 18 "karat" gold (other than that it is much more expensive)? Let me explain. Words: 587

One of gold's allures is its use as a hedge against negative economic outcomes: inflation, deflation, general economic collapse and even war [with] investors and speculators enter[ing] the market based on their guesstimate of how bad things might get. [An analysis of] how gold performs during inflation and deflation [suggests, however, that there has to be some another] market force - some secret force - that has driven gold prices by +370% over the last 10 years. Words: 734

This article defines the term "goldbug", identifies the real purpose of holding gold and provides 9 reasons why we should own some physical gold.

As all the bubble markets in stocks, bonds, property and other financial assets implode, together with the debt that has fuelled it all, 100s of trillions of dollars will just vanish and never return. The consequences will be both shocking and devastating for most people.

It seems that more and more people justify investing in crypto-currencies — even at current record prices — by claiming that they’re an effective hedge against the instability of fiat currencies but is that true?

Most investors will hold on to their bubble assets until they have declined by 85-100%. They will again believe that central banks will save them but this time it will really be different although nobody will see that - until it is too late.

Despite all the negative press it sometimes gets gold has historically been a wise investment because it has a negative correlation with the market and has helped investors diversify their portfolios and improve their risk-adjusted returns.

World Bank president Robert Zoellick has stirred up a hornet's nest with his recent call for a return to a gold anchor in the global financial system. The usual suspects immediately denounced him - Keynesian Brad DeLong has [gone so far as to] anoint Zoellick the "Stupidest Man Alive" - [and I would like to add my voice to the chorus by explaining] the dangers of Zoellick's gold proposal, and why fans of the classical gold standard should be wary. Words: 1708

Just how long can the Continuum continue before inflation gets out of control and decades of inflated chickens come home to roost?