What is the likely market return in the coming new year? This articles tries to answer that question by presenting technical and fundamental market factors that are influencing the market in the coming year. Some of these factors point to a positive market return this year while others point to negative influences. Let's take a look.

Does the fast-fading world reserve currency [the USD] look like it is collapsing? A look at the performance of the U.S. Dollar Index does not suggest that it is, weak as it is. If the fiat dollar is not in danger of imminent “collapse,” or even breaking down, then gold does not have this event as an impetus for rallying higher. [Frankly speaking,] until that changes, gold ain’t going higher, at least in the short term.

Here’s some perspective on the potential value of the U.S. equity market using Warren Buffett's favorite valuation metric - total stock market capitalization relative to GDP.

The demand for silver has grown exponentially in the past few years (record sales for American Eagle coins, record buying in India), but supply, on the other hand, keeps diminishing...Whenever there is a situation where demand rises sharply, while supply commensurately declines, it is a recipe for higher prices, and usually, much higher prices. This is true, unless one is talking about the silver market...[which] is at its lowest levels in the past three years. With talk of silver going anywhere from $150 to $500 higher, it currently struggles to hold $20. Why is this so?

The inevitable end for central bank control...is certain: the end is near, and fiat currencies are likely to implode and cause enormous financial ruin for those unprepared. It is crucial, now more than ever to be buying physical silver. Let me explain more fully and update you on just what the charts are saying today.

Don't you just hate that gloating expression "I told you so!" Well, unfortunately some analysts had the foresight to forecast prices of $1,200 per troy ounce (or less!) and $19 silver several months ago.

Markets around the globe are all facing key resistance levels at the same time. Can they pull a “Great Escape” and bust through? Yes they can and if they do, it would be very bullish for equity markets around the world [and if they don't, then watch out below!].

It now seems like the U.S. might be getting closer to acknowledging that it has a serious fiscal problem; or at least this is what one might infer from the strong support from Congressmen and Senators from both sides of the aisle, thousands of business leaders and economists from all stripes, as well as from fifteen Nobel Laureates in Economics, for a new bill called the Intergenerational Financial Obligations Reform Act or “Inform Act” - in spite of the fact that the proposal is being totally ignored by the mainstream media and, as evidenced by the case of Detroit, the longer we wait, the worse it gets.

The unelected central planners at the Federal Reserve have decided that the time has come to slightly taper the amount of quantitative easing that it has been doing....The monthly purchases of U.S. Treasury bonds will be reduced from $45 billion to $40 billion, and monthly purchases of mortgage-backed securities will be reduced from $35 billion to $30 billion. Below are 8 ways "the taper" is going to adversely affect you and your family.

An inevitable economic collapse has been warned about since this website began over four years ago.based on the following 3 key economic points that have been consistent since its beginning. Here they are: