Out of control spending by a government is always the cause of hyperinflation. The debt ceiling had been the last remaining roadblock to unlimited federal government spending. By suspending the debt ceiling, the U.S. government has given itself a blank cheque, taking one giant leap down the road leading to the hyperinflation of the US dollar. Words: 632

Year-to-date, the dollar index, a trade weighted index comparing the U.S. dollar to a basket of six major currencies (Euro @ 57.6% weight, Japanese yen 13.6%, Pound sterling 11.9%, Canadian dollar 9.1%, Swedish krona 4.2% and Swiss franc 3.6%) is up 2.95% as of April 29, 2013 - but the U.S. Dollar Index is not the U.S. Dollar. To ascertain what may happen to the U.S. dollar, let’s look at the greenback from a couple of different angles

The recent panic selling in gold bullion caused those who were speculating to get out as their losses added up...[but] retail investors and central banks seem to be rushing to buy more. [Why is that? Let me explain.] Words: 260; Charts: 1

While falling commodity prices are beneficial to countries that are net energy and commodity importers they actually may be signals of weaknesses in the growth of the global economy and economic weakness across the globe.

It would appear that the price of gold has fallen enough to qualify as a "bear market," and we've begun hearing about what a terrible investment gold is now… and throughout recorded history. Below are the 12 most commonly-spread myths about gold as an investment.

Volatility in the gold market often results in extremely bullish and bearish views. Below are 4 facts to remember about gold that should help neutralize such views and allow you to take a more balanced and thoughtful approach to the yellow metal.

Much has been written about the collapse in the prices of precious metals over the past week. Below are introductions to 9 articles that present different points of view as to what has happened, probably is still continuing and may continue to unfold in the weeks to come.

I have no problem with corrections in general, as they are a healthy part of any bull market and provide a platform from the which the next upleg can spring but something is not quite right about the recent price action in precious metals as the markets have become increasingly divorced from reality over the past few months. Let’s look at some of the glaring contradictions and then discuss the implications.

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.

The funds you have placed on deposit and the property you thought was secured in your safe deposit box may not be safe under certain circumstances. They may, in fact, all end up belonging to the bank and not to you.