Base

Ever since the Federal Reserve embarked on its easy money campaign, everyone and their mother has been on a crusade for an alternative reserve currency. [The euro and China's yuan have been talked about - and dismissed - as realistic contenders and]...during the world's desperate search, the Federal Reserve has just continued printing more money. That has only intensified the desire for an alternative. Enter Bitcoin. Ultimately, however, it is all about greed - not a genuine interest in a fundamentally stronger alternative to the status quo - that's driving Bitcoin prices so forget Bitcoin being a contender as an alternative currency. At best, it's a speculative investment, and a very speculative one at that.

There's nothing to be bearish about regarding the stock market these days. I've reviewed my 9 point "Bear Market Checklist" of indicators and it is a perfect 0-for-9. Not even one indicator on the list is even close to flashing a warning sign so pop a pill and relax. There's no immediate danger threatening stocks.

The US Dollar is HOT so what gives? It rallied in 2012 and has gone nuclear in 2013. According to Morgan Stanley it's because of....

You cannot control what others do, especially those in power. You can control what you do. Just keep buying, regardless of price, because if/when the price of gold and silver were to go lower, you may not be able to buy. If/when the price of gold and silver were to go higher, it may be at such an accelerated rate that any price in the past few years seem cheap. Words: 550

Despite bulls’ assertions otherwise, the stock markets are not cheap today.  They are quite expensive and very overbought, ripe for a serious selloff. The S&P 500 stock index now has average valuations matching the ones seen in October 2007 when the last cyclical bull topped. Valuations should be around 12x or 13x now, 13 years into this 17-year secular bear.  …

This article brings you up to date as to the degree of current bearish sentiment regarding both gold and silver using 5 sentiment indicators (with 9 illustrative charts), as well as provides you with an opportunity to observe the price outcome of previous bearish extremes using these sentiment indicators.

Right now there's nothing to be bearish about. I say that with conviction, because my "Bear Market Checklist" is a perfect 0-for-9. Heck, not a single indicator on the list is even close to flashing a warning sign. We've got nothing but big whiffers! Take a look. Pop a pill and relax. There's no immediate danger threatening stocks.

The next chapter [in gold and silver] has yet to be written. One thing is likely to be certain, it will get uglier. The public will not be prepared for what could take a few more years to develop, and the potential for yet much lower prices for both gold and silver.

Precious metals - Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium and there respective mining shares - have failed to sustain any rebound despite tremendously supportive sentiment amid an extreme oversold condition. Nevertheless, we believe that the bottom is in and a rebound should begin very soon. The question though is, "What will the driving force be for a sustainable rebound which will evolve into a new cyclical bull market?" Below are several options to be considered and my assessment as to which it will be - and why.

More economic fallacies than I have ever seen in my investing career are being passed off (and accepted) as profound, and more misbehavior is being tolerated - if not encouraged. Though I don't believe an apocalypse is imminent, below are a few extenuating factors that could lead to one if they [were all to] continue along the same ominous trajectory.