The credit risk of the 30 large global financial entities representing the most systemically worrisome firms in the world just broke an important channel. It is now at its highest level in over four months having increased 14% in just the last three weeks which is extremely fast. At current levels we are now almost twice as risky as we were prior to the financial crisis and there is increasing concern that there might be another round of insolvencies or collapse of the financial industry. [Let's take a closer look.] Words: 630

“Gold bugs” routinely solicit my prediction regarding the future gold price, assuming I must be an “educated” gold bug since my hedge fund happens to maintain large gold exposure... [but such an answer] depends on variables [such as] what time period? Next week? Month? Year? Ten years? [and] compared to what? U.S. dollars? Euros? Real estate? Gummi bears! [Let me explain.] Words: 955

Investors of all stripes must now be aware both of the bull market in gold/silver and the bear market in the U.S. dollar. Despite all of the rhetoric, however, it seems that little is actually understood about how these two phenomena are actually connected. Ultimately, this connection (or lack thereof) has serious implications for both markets. [Let's examine the situation more closely.] Words: 778

Economy watchers looking for a spark of life in the exhausted, debt-ridden American consumer are quick to latch on to any signs of a pulse and the latest came in the form of higher personal borrowing in March. The $6.02-billion (U.S.) increase marked the sixth consecutive monthly advance and was nearly three times higher than the most bearish forecasts. The best news of all, however, is that credit-card debt climbed, marking only the second such rise since the housing and credit market collapse. [Unfortunately, however,] “We’re only 20 per cent of the way there" says Stephen Roach. "The American consumer is toast - stuck with a legacy of excessive debt, inadequate saving, and facing high unemployment, higher under-employment, weak incomes and holding on to assets that are under water... [As such,] you can not rule out the chances of the world sliding back into recession.” Words: 1004

If you like to trade online, or if you already do, fundamental analysis is surely one of the best tools that you could ever acquire as a retail trader. Let me explain. Words: 730

As the advance squalls from this great financial tempest come ashore, the government could be expected to launch a variety of efforts at forestalling the hyperinflation’s landfall, but such efforts will buy little time and ultimately will fail in preventing the dollar’s collapse.

Believe it or not but I have identified 122 economists, academics, analysts and market commentators who have developed sound rationale as to why they think gold will likely go to a parabolic peak price of at least $2,500 an ounce before the bubble finally pops! Of those 122 prognosticators, 84 –yes, 84 – believe gold could reach a high of $5,000; 51 maintain that a price in excess of $5,000 is more likely, Words: 977

126 economists, academics, gold analysts and market commentators have been identified as maintaining that gold will reach a parabolic peak price of at least $2,500 a troy ounce (ozt) before the bubble finally pops! Of those 126 prognosticators 86 – yes, 86 – believe gold will reach a high of $5,000 ozt; 52 of those maintain that a price in excess of $5,000 ozt is more likely. It would seem it is still not too late to buy into this gold (and silver) bull run. Words: 820

We Americans have enjoyed an incredibly wonderful standard of living over the past three decades with most of us believing that it was because we are the world's wealthiest, most prosperous nation with economic and financial systems that are second to none - but that is not even close to accurate. [The truth of the matter is that] we are [actually] in the biggest debt bubble the world has ever seen! It has been the greatest party in the history of the world, but it is time to turn out the lights because the party is over. [Let me explain.] Words: 1518

A perfect storm of converging criteria is almost perfectly timed and aligned with the 2012 election cycle. When the moment arrives, the financial earthquake will rapidly demolish the existing highly precarious financial system. Government will stand by helpless, unable to shield itself, much less its vulnerable citizens or private financial institutions from the tsunami of debt and currency destruction. Let me explain. Words: 2055