Measuring market data using fiat currencies can be misleading. Even though an asset may rise in dollars, it may be because of declining currency value rather than true economic process. With central banks devaluing currency at record rates, gold’s steady purchasing power makes it an ideal alternative pricing mechanism.
Read More »A Look at Copper, Commodity Trends, Economic Indicators & the S&P 500 (+3K Views)
Changes in economic indicators, copper and other commodity prices and stock market trends are covered in this month's market intelligence infographic.
Read More »Water Scarcity a Looming Threat to World Economy (+2K Views)
Water resources face many pressures, including: population growth, increased urbanization and overconsumption, lack of proper management, and the looming threat of climate change. [This article looks at each area of water stress and offers suggestions on how they can be alleviated to a certain degree.] Words: 917; Charts: 4
Read More »Fed Financial Stress Indexes All Agree That…. (+2K Views)
Three indexes of the Federal Reserve...calculate and report statistical measures of financial stress in the U.S. economy on a regular basis...[and] all three have returned to their pre-recession levels last seen in May 2007. [What does that mean for stock market valuations? Let's take a look.]
Read More »Food Stamps Mania – State By State (+2K Views)
In 1975, 8% of all Americans were on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). That percentage is 15% today. Enrollment soared to 47.8 million participants in recent months, an increase of 70%. Below is an interactive graphic showing the number of SNAP recipients in each of the 50 U.S. states.
Read More »What Are P2P Currencies (Bitcoin & Litecoin)? Should We Get Some? (+4K Views)
Bitcoin is the first peer-to-peer (P2P) digital currency and payment system to gain significant interest. This month its marketcap surpassed $1 billion. [Below is a description of what Bitcoin is, and isn't, and why it has caught on to the extent it has.]
Read More »Do You Actually Own “Your” Gold Given What’s Happened in Cyprus & Proposed In Canada/E.U.? (+7K Views)
To believe that governments...[won't confiscate your] gold to help support their national finances... would be naïve, especially in light of past and recent events. That's why it is now incumbent on all investors to look at the meaning of ownership in investing and investors' vulnerability to government confiscation as well as vulnerability to exchange and capital controls. We do this below.
Read More »Is Popularity of Bitcoins Adversely Affecting Price of Gold? (+3K Views)
It is possible that Bitcoins are starting to steal some of gold's historic role as a safe haven asset, and if that comes to pass it will be a headwind for the metal and the miners of it going forward....
Read More »Freedom Index Ranks New York State Last – Where Does Your State Rank?
Freedom is a relative concept. Compared to other states in the U.S., how does your state rank in terms of these 40 aspects of freedom?
Read More »Portfolio Up? Here’s a Powerful Strategy to Protect Your Gains
Use a portion of your portfolio in the form of credit spreads to protect and drive income over the next nine months. It's an extremely simple strategy to learn and arguably the most powerful strategy in the professional options traders' tool belt
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