[I have identified] five "Great Deceptions" lurking out there that, individually and collectively, have the potential to wreck your portfolio. [That being said,] I also have five protective strategies to help you avoid getting slammed. Words: 998

Do not expect the gold mining sector to go up as a whole. Do not expect gold miners to leverage the gold price. The stock price appreciation will all depend upon the individual stock's prospects and management competence, as in how the general market rates other investment vehicles as a whole. [Let me explain.] Words: 687

[Although] investing in natural gas is an incredibly popular and active sector of the commodity world given its robust growth predictions,...it tends to exhibit violent daily swings with high and liquid volumes. While this can lead to significant losses, for those who play their cards right, trading natural gas can make for a nice short term reward. [That being said,] for the more traditional “buy and hold” investor there are still a number of options that, [while they] may not directly invest in the commodity, offer significant exposure under a safer structure. [In this article I have identified 25 ways to invest in natural gas to help investors pick the correct security for their portfolio]. Words: 1800

I have a personal friend who spends months every year developing business opportunities in China and I find his ground level perspective unlike anything written elsewhere. If you really want to know what is transpiring there go no further than to read this insightful email on the "China condition" particularly as it compares with that of the U.S. and Europe. Words: 1320

Commodities have obvious appeal to active investors looking to generate profits from short-term price movements [but while] the volatility of this asset class is ideal for risk-tolerant individuals who actively monitor their positions...commodities may also have appeal to the long-term, buy-and-hold crowd...These potentially appealing attributes come with plenty of risk, [however, as] the path to commodity exposure is full of potential obstacles and pitfalls that can erode returns and lead to a less-than-optimal investing experience. Here are ten rules of thumb that will help you achieve a more successful experience investing in commodity markets. Words: 2871

Gold and silver continue to receive the lion's share of press headlines and investment writers' attention. [While] our team believes this theme will continue, there are other assets which benefit from a weak dollar, especially if a weak dollar is combined with some decent economic activity. [One such asset] is copper, a base metal that, like gold and silver, [that will] appreciate with inflation and has tremendous potential for increased demand given the theme of 2012 - economic growth. [Let me explain in some detail why we think that is the case.] Words: 1150

This post initiates what I hope will become a multi-year tradition of listing what, according to munKNEE.com readers, were the most read articles in 2011 on how best to invest in the stock market from a broad, and therefore timeless, perspective. Introductory paragraphs and links to each article are provided in descending order of popularity. Enjoy!

Early this year we suggested a 50% rise in Gold to $1860 - $1,920 into mid-year. Now, we see the Gold tsunami realizing an approximate 100% rise that will crest at $3,000+ into the middle of 2012, drowning any doubters in its wake. Below are a number of factors that support that view. Words: 1250

Record lease rates are a primary driver for the near historic sell-off we have experienced but, when negative gold lease rates drop like they are now doing, the underlying tension in the supply and demand for gold as a source of liquidity collapses suggesting that the gold sell- off is likely coming to an end. That said, the next time we approach the previous thresholds..it will likely indicate that another gold-derived liquidity rubberband "breach" is imminent. [Let me explain further so you won't be "had" next time.] Words: 1054

History has shown that investors who stick to disciplined, fundamental-focused strategies give themselves a good chance of beating the market over the long haul and James O’Shaughnessy has compiled data that stretches back to before the Great Depression...back-tested numerous strategies, and has come to some very intriguing conclusions. [Let me share some of them with you.] Words: 1325