Investing

Gold is not a solution to investing problems. It is an insurance policy against an inflationary explosion. The higher the probabilities of inflation, the more gold I hold. [Let me explain.] "Monty Perelin" - www.economicnoise.com

Global consumption of natural graphite has doubled in the last 10 years and will increase even more so in the next decade due to a) the continuing modernization of China, India and other emerging economies given the strong demand from traditional end uses such as the steel and automotive industries and b) the advent of new applications for graphite such as lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and nuclear and solar power. As a result of such increased demand prices for large flake, high purity graphite (+80 mesh, 94-97%C) have more than doubled making the mining of such a minerals increasingly profitable. Learn even more by viewing the infographic below.

Tens of billions of dollars per year are being spent worldwide on graphene research. Why? Because graphene could have a dramatic impact on our future by changing the fields of computing, energy, materials and optics. How? By making everything smaller, stronger and more ecologically sustainable. Below is an infographic that provides all the details.

"Even with the prospect of no QE, if you believe the Fed, gold has not made a new low [since December] so, in my opinion, the absence of QE is priced into gold. On the other hand, if market conditions hit emergency levels, the central banks will be forced to their knees and they will be doing QE by whatever name it’s called. I think at that stage you are going to see gold go ballistic because it will be an admission of failure on the part of policymakers....If investors don’t do something now and take advantage of this funky period we are in, this daily grind of back and forth, they are going to be paralyzed. They will just be bystanders when gold finally takes off.”

If you invest or trade in the equity markets, this is an article you ought to take the time to read and think about. It presents the perceived strengths and weaknesses of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, seven other Asian countries, and Australia in an informative interactive graphic.

Buying bonds that insure against the extremely unlikely possibility of a specific catastrophic financial event can prove to be a very profitable investment and an ideal portfolio diversification move. I'm talking about cat bonds. Here is probably the first article you have ever read on the subject. Enjoy! Words: 821

Being a true contrarian investor isn’t just about investing in unloved sectors of the market or specific stocks. It’s also about conducting research and discovering indicators that the crowd doesn’t follow — indicators that can help give clues as to the next probable direction of risk assets. I’m always on the lookout for such indicators, and have compiled many of them over my years of trading and investing. [Here's just one that bares scrutiny. Take a look.] Words: 610

Goldman Sachs recommends “stepping back into the markets” in its latest Commodity Watch. Goldman is anticipating a 29% return for the S&P GSCI Enhanced Commodity Index over the next 12 months and suggests investors might want to increase their position in commodities. Here's why. Words: 755

I love gold but I've turned bearish. [While I admit] if the Greeks were to quit the euro that gold could face a short-term bull wave I believe gold's fundamentals are [too] weak to support the current price. [Here are 8 solid reasons why.] Words: 685

One moment stock prices rejoice on bailout news for the eurozone… the next moment they collapse....but steering clear of European stocks and bonds doesn't mean you're completely safe. In fact, your portfolio could be loaded with ticking time bombs, set to detonate once second-quarter earnings reporting season begins. Here's why. Words: 611