With bullish analysts predicting the S&P 500 index will finish above 1500 this year the recent pullback may [well be] be just a blip. On the other hand, here are seven reasons U.S. indicies could lose 20% or more in the next two months. Words: 719

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

We are approaching the end of the current 8.6 year wave come June 13th, 2011. What awaits us on the other side is a change in the overall trend. [Let me explain what is developing.] Words: 420

Our government has grown too big, promised too much and waited too long to restructure. Our fiscal clock is ticking and time is not working in our favor. The Moment of Truth is rapidly approaching. We'll soon know whether Washington policymakers are up to the challenge and whether they will start focusing more of doing their job rather than just keeping their job and on focusing first on their country rather than their party. [To accomplished what is needed] the President and Congressional leaders from both political parties need to be at the table and everything must be on the table in order to achieve sustainable success. [Here's an outline of our country's predicament and how it might be resolved.] Words: 3110

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

Many lessons can be gleaned from history and, while no two periods are identically alike, there are often many similarities to learn from. The current period, for example, is often compared to the Great Depression in regards to unprecedented government action as well as with the 1970s in regards to trends in commodities and inflation. [Let's take a closer look.] Words: 1165

The National Inflation Association (NIA) has just posted an article* which makes a number of interesting arguments for the advent of hyperinflation and, while I agree with the conclusion that we could potentially face such an event, I see it as just one of a few possible outcomes. Let me comment on the specific points in the NIA article. Words: 1666

In the long run developments in the financial markets and around the world seem to conspire to whip up a perfect storm for the gold price, taking it up towards $2,000 and further. That new upleg, however, could very well start from a much lower level than now. There are quite a few developments that could easily send the gold price lower in the coming months. Is $1,200 in the cards? Words: 774

In spite of the spending cuts secured in last week's last-minute budget deal... we are headed for a 50-square-mile iceberg and have just turned the wheel an inch - probably less... [After all,] the $38 billion in cuts represent less than the $54 billion in new debt the U.S. racked up in just the previous week, less than 3% of this year's projected deficit and less than 1% of what the government has projected to spend in 2011... [In fact, such inadequate action has done nothing more than] reinforce expectations that the U.S. is headed for self-inflicted disaster. [Let me explain.] Words: 1066

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