News Commentary

Peter Schiff: Gold in the Crosshairs

"While the vast majority of economists see gold as the 'barbarous relic' described by Keynes, the sentiment has not stopped many central bankers from holding huge quantities as currency reserves. It is a curious phenomenon that the countries with the most daunting debt problems have the highest percentage of gold in their foreign exchange reserves. Many of these countries were formerly prosperous, and at various points in their histories had gold-backed currencies that required large reserves. These legacy assets now account for the bulk of their reserve wealth." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPeter Schiff: Gold in the Crosshairs

Bill Bonner: Gold versus paper cash

"Maybe there really is a recovery...however weak. Maybe the feds really do have the situation under control. Maybe the central banks are right to print money. Maybe it will be clear sailing from now until Kingdom Come. And we'll be fools not to be on the boat along with all the other stockbuyers and gold-dumpers. One day, however...and we won't say 'when'...people will stop worrying about the quantity of the paper and begin worrying about the quality of it. They will find that they have plenty of paper...and that more is coming all the time. They will look in their vaults and wonder what they will do with all this paper money." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBill Bonner: Gold versus paper cash

A Silver Lining That Could Double Your Money

"Coming off the gold standard in 1971 ensured a new volatile rise in commodity prices would continue. That means that savvy investors should own assets that rise along with inflation. Precious metals are a good option – and given its current position, my choice would be silver. Silver’s drivers are still in place, and because no one wants silver right now, it’s a great contrarian play. I believe silver offers great risk-reward right now, which is the final reason it’s a buy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Silver Lining That Could Double Your Money

North Korea Is Like a Misbehaving Child—Ignore It

"Although at the official level, ignoring North Korean blustering, while taking adequate measures to defend the United States—not South Korea—from the future limited threat that North Korea might pose, the U.S. government should not discourage or have disdain for visits by private citizens, such as Dennis Rodman. These private visits help break the isolation that the Kim regime needs to survive and that U.S. government regularly haplessly provides with economic sanctions and counter bluster. Let’s show the publicity-hungry Kim Jong-un that his words and actions are a lot less important to the United States than he thinks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNorth Korea Is Like a Misbehaving Child—Ignore It

Gold: Fear vs. Greed – and Taxes [Bullish]

"I've yet to be convinced that the Keynesians are right, governments of the world have cured what ails the global economy with their virtual printing presses, and the next boom is a done deal. That doesn't mean gold can't or won't go lower – just that if it does, the fundamentals say it's a buying opportunity. I know that some analysts are saying that having retreated more than 20%, gold has entered 'official' bear market territory, and that signals a long wait for recovery, but experience has shown that when gold sells off for the wrong reasons, it usually bounces back. Strongly. Remember the second half of the 1970s gold bull market." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGold: Fear vs. Greed – and Taxes [Bullish]

Historic Gold Crash. What To Expect Next [Bearish]

"First, central bank money-printing has lost its impact on the markets. Second, austerity measures in Europe and the United States are also overpowering the inflationary impact of money-printing. Third, and most importantly in my view, the Cyprus confiscation of uninsured depositor money has completely turned the world upside down. Money is no longer safe in a bank in Europe. That, in turn, is causing hundreds of billions of dollars to essentially go into hiding. But not in gold, which is subject to confiscation, real or imagined. Fourth, Japan’s new aggressive policy to devalue its currency is also not bullish for gold." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHistoric Gold Crash. What To Expect Next [Bearish]

Bill Bonner: Is this the end for the bull market in gold?

"Is this the end for the bull market in gold? Everybody says so. And this was before gold tumbled on Friday. The fact is, the masses never got anywhere near gold. Not even close. Most people have never seen a gold coin....and few are as reckless as the aforementioned Mr. Norstog. Most are even more reckless! They'll wait gold to hit $2,000...or $3,000 before they buy. Which is why we're nowhere close to the top. Wall Street never marketed gold, deftly...or any other way. Not even in its usual greedy, heavy handed fashion. And the masses never bought it. Just the opposite. As the price of gold rose we saw ads in the paper soliciting people to SELL gold." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBill Bonner: Is this the end for the bull market in gold?

Bill Bonner: $10,000 each in two suitcases

"Price controls didn't work for the Romans. They didn't work for the Germans. They didn't work for the Zimbabweans or any of the other hundreds of governments that have tried them. But who knows? Maybe they'll work for the Argentinians. But inflation is just getting started here. The rate is officially about 10%. Unofficially, it's 30%. Officially, you can trade a dollar for 5.4 pesos. Unofficially, you'd be a fool to do so. The black market rate is eight to the dollar – and more. So what do we do? Every time we come to Argentina we bring the maximum - $10,000 each – in $100 bills. Then, when we need to buy things, we trade our dollars on the black market." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBill Bonner: $10,000 each in two suitcases

Jim Rogers: ‘I Suspect They’ll Take the Pension Plans Next; I’m Taking Preparations’

"I was able to reconnect for an interview with legendary Quantum Fund manager and commodities bull, Jim Rogers. This was an especially groundbreaking interview, as Jim shared thoughts on what governments around the world will be taking next, and what he’s doing right now to protect his personal bank accounts following the Cyprus collapse. With respect to which assets governments will likely be coming for next, Jim said, '401k plans, IRA’s, and pensions plans which the government knows about [may be next]…They’re rationale would be, ‘Well most people haven’t been doing well in their IRAs and pension plans for the past several years, so we’re going to help you.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJim Rogers: ‘I Suspect They’ll Take the Pension Plans Next; I’m Taking Preparations’

Detlev Schlichter: Global economic policy now firmly in the hands of money cranks

"During the early honeymoon between ‘Abenomics’ and financial reality, the idea of printing yourself to prosperity is likely to have imitators, with the UK being a prime candidate. In terms of total indebtedness, the UK is the one industrialized country that can compete with Japan, meaning it is in the same supersized debt-pickle. Over at Threadneedle Street, the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Paul Tucker, openly fantasized about negative interest rates recently, outgoing Governor Mervyn King voted for more QE (overruled), and Governor-elect Mark Carney promises to be, well, – flexible. Bottom line: desperation is spreading. Watch this place!" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDetlev Schlichter: Global economic policy now firmly in the hands of money cranks