The US Recession Probabilities Index is currently at a level that has ALWAYS been followed by a recession. Interestingly, however, I don’t see recession signals in the internal indicators that I follow and which have been right for a long time now so this clearly puts that opinion in the “this time is different” category - or does it? Words: 255

Don’t let the inflation monster devour your savings and retirement. It will unless you take positive steps to protect your savings and retirement. I have the answers as to: •why inflation occurs, •why your purchasing power will decrease, •what happens if you don’t protect your purchasing power, and •how to protect your savings and retirement.

It is relatively easy to predict further commodity price inflation as a result of the massive money printing going on worldwide and that hard assets, not paper assets, will help protect purchasing power but it is much more difficult to project where else this money printing leads and to what extent a crash is inevitable. What is the endgame? Will it be another financial crash such as in 2008 or will it be a more destructive financial and economic crash that causes a severe but temporary disruption in the delivery of goods and services? Words: 1470

The U.S. economy is careening toward a fiscal cliff. Europe is stuck in a financial abyss. China is economy, a bastion of strength for the last decade, is throttling down. Given this less-than-rosy economic backdrop, how could I possibly predict that U.S. stocks are poised to rally as 2012 comes to a close? Glad you asked....Here are 10 reasons why I’m taking such a contrarian stance. (Hint: I saved the most important reasons for last). Words: 1420

I have been bearish on hard commodities for the past two years and, while prices may have dropped substantially from their peaks during this time, I don’t think the bear market is over. I think we still have a very long way to go and there are four reasons why I expect prices to drop a lot more. Words: 3978

Silver has thousands of industrial uses and is considered a store of wealth by investors. The infographic below illustrates silver's history as a currency in the past and as an essential component in industry and technology today.

The arguments for gold to rise dramatically are well known and highly publicized. The arguments for gold to remain flat or to decline are minimally discussed and generally attacked vigorously when raised. [I do just that in this article and the conclusions will not be liked by the goldbugs.] Words: 285

Could U.S. Treasuries be the best performing asset class of the next one-two years? It's quite possible. I am sure this article is bound to stir up controversy, but I'd like to spend some time analyzing several drivers that could buoy bond prices in the coming months. Words: 1053

Industrialised countries today face serious risks – for their financial sectors, for their public finances, and for their growth prospects. This column explains how, through our financial systems, we have created enormous, complex financial structures that can inflict tragic consequences with failure and yet are inherently difficult to regulate and control. It explains how this has happened and why there are more and worse crises to come. Words: 2434

QE3 looks like a desperate act to feed money to large banks, offload MBS toxic waste from their balance sheets, devalue the dollar against houses, commodities, and other currencies and create significant collateral damage in the form of consumer price inflation according to a number of respected economists and critical thinkers on the subject of QE3. [Let's take a look at what they have to say.] Words: 1661