Investing

Of the 1040.6 million troy oz of silver produced in 2011, 84% was used in over 10,000 modern industrial applications (16% used as an investment) of which approx. 33% was used in the traditional forms of fabrication such as jewelry, coins, medals, and silverware with the remaining 66% actually being consumed. While the actual amount is unknown, some experts believe as much as 90-95% of all the silver ever mined has been ‘lost’ to landfills. For this reason, there is likely less silver available above ground than gold (98% of all gold is accounted for today). For more interesting information regarding the supply of, and demand for, silver please refer to the infographic below.

Gold is one of the rarest minerals on earth. To put that into perspective, more sheet metals is pored each hour than the entire amount of gold poured throughout history. That being said, the USCS estimates that silver in the earth's crust will be depleted by 2020 at the current rate of consumption. For more interesting facts about gold and silver check out the infographic below and the links to many other such gems of information.

The movements and potential movements of the yellow precious metal often grab the spotlight, even if there are other assets outperforming it. It is always important for investors to look beyond the major headlines to get a better perspective of the trends impacting the overall commodity world. [This article does just that and also identifies 3 ETFs to possibly take advantage of these trends.] Words: 440

If you believe (as I do) that gold is a solid way to “price” other assets because of its characteristics of being rare and stable in quantity – then the simplest way to profit from this trend is to wait for it to reverse - and when it turns around, sell gold and buy stocks. [Let me explain further.] Words: 431

The biggest danger to our society will be food prices and food costs....Productivity of grains has fallen to 1.2% per year which matches population growth exactly leaving society with no safety margin. [In addition,] there is a coming shortage of two fertilizers which occur exclusively in nature...so once the supply is gone, it’s gone forever - and this can only mean that commodity prices are going higher - much higher. Words: 585

George Soros’ hedge fund, Soros Fund Management LLC, states in its Nov. 14th 13-f filing that, among other major moves related to gold, the fund has added a $9 million call option position on the GDX which means that management of the fund believes that gold mining equities are extremely undervalued on a short term basis and that major money to be made over the next 6-12 months, via a sharp move higher in the GDX. Words: 405

Hedge fund manager Hugh Hendry has stated, "There is no rationale for owning gold mining equities. It is as close as you get to insanity. The risk premium goes up when the gold price goes up." Indeed, the notion that adding gold and other commodities to one's portfolio produces a higher expected return with lower risk failure has failed of late and can be illustrated through the following charts. Words: 808

We are undergoing a Paradigm Shift in the price trend of virtually all commodities – perhaps the most important economic event since the Industrial Revolution. [Let me explain why that is the case.] Words: 765

For those looking at an alternative, or complement to their gold holdings, below we outline 4 silver companies (3 producers, 1 streamer) that currently pay a dividend and, as such, provide some yield during low interest rate times, and provide a hedge against inflation should it arise. Words: 1612

Our subscription service provides detailed technical analysis of where the price of gold, silver and precious metal stocks are going short term (in the next week or two), intermediate term (within the next 3-6 months) and long term (the ultimate top) in each stage of their respective bull runs. This service comes with detailed charting based on conventional technical analysis and our proprietary fractal analysis based on the '70s. Below are some of our latest comments and rationale for expected price movements in gold without illustative charts which are only available to subscribers. Words: 1000