Red-hot metals could burn investors

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Red-hot metals could burn investors Description: Despite strong fundamentals behind the rise of gold and silver, investment in these precious metals is not risk free. Source: CNNMoney.com ñ video report Date: 12/06/2010 C-T   Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation ñ Investing Strategies, Commodities Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/12/06/mkts_gold_silver_futures.cnnmoney/ <object width=”384″ height=”356″ classid=”clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000″ id=”ep”><param name=”allowfullscreen” value=”true” /><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”… Read more »

U.S. Stocks Gain as Commodities Rally Offsets Jobs Data

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: Bloomberg’s Deborah Kostroun reports on the performance of the U.S. equity market today. U.S. stocks rose, extending the biggest weekly gain in a month, as a rally in energy and metals producers after the dollar fell offset concern that slower-than-estimated growth in payrolls will hamper the economy. Bloomberg’s Pimm Fox also speaks. Source: Bloomberg.com… Read more »

Gold rush resumes with another record high

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  Gold prices jumped back above $1,400 an ounce Friday to settle at a fresh record-high as the U.S. dollar slid following a surprisingly weak report on the nation’s job market. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 12/04/2010 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/03/markets/gold/index.htm Questions for discussion: Why has gold continued to move up in price? Where is the demand coming from?… Read more »

Tiffany shows its sparkle

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis.

Description: The season of bling in full swing, as Tiffany reports a 14% surge in sales, and Signet gets a boost from record gold prices. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/24/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/11/24/mkts_tiffany_signet.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results reported? Do you believe these results suggest a positive change in consumer attitude toward… Read more »

Why Oil Could Top $100 a Barrel

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description:  The weakening dollar could trigger a steady rise in the price of crude, sending it over $100 next year. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_47/b4204020339245.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key reasons given for the possible rise of oil prices next year? Do you agree with this assessment? What would this mean for investors?… Read more »

Why gold is a bad investment

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description:  Precious metal lures susceptible buyers into a Midas crush Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-gold-is-a-bad-investment-2010-11-12 Questions for discussion: How do you explain the run up in gold prices? Do you agree with the assessment of risk presented in the report? Would you invest in gold today? Would you invest in gold mining companies?… Read more »

After China’s Rare Earth Embargo, a New Calculus

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description: When Japanese mineral traders learned in late September that China was blocking shipments of a vital commodity, the word came not from a government announcement but from dock workers in Shanghai. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: 10/29/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/business/global/30rare.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for the actions by China? How do you think this… Read more »

China prompts rare earth consumers to look elsewhere

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description: Japan and South Korea moved on Friday to reduce their dependence on China’s rare earth metals amid fears export reductions by Beijing could be the trigger for a broader trade conflict as nations joust over currencies. Source:  Reuters.com Date: 10/22/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69L27D20101022 Questions for discussion: Summarize the activities reported and their significance for investors… Read more »

Markets Hub: Maybe It Is a Currency War

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: It’s not just the Bank of Japan; central banks from Brazil to South Korea are trying to tamp down their currencies, which is driving up commodities like gold and crude, as well as stocks. Anna Raff, Mike Reid and Paul Vigna discuss. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report    Date: 10/04/2010 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/markets-hub-maybe-it-is-a-currency-war/08AD6BBE-77FC-43FD-BB72-018865ECDDDE Questions for… Read more »

Why gold, stocks and bonds are all rising

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Gold, stocks and bonds rising together reflect the barbell approach investors are taking, Wells Capital Management’s Gary Schlossberg tells Laura Mandaro. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report    Date: 09/30/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/why-gold-stocks-and-bonds-are-all-rising/87C37AA9-B47A-472E-851D-7F429D9E95CD Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented? What is your read of the current price movements in the markets? What is your economic forecast… Read more »