No doubt “something” changed starting the second half of last year. In fact, in looking at many markets we saw change and reversals. The process took quite some time but global equity markets topped and many are now quickly into bear market (down 20% or more) territory. This is also the case in many credit markets if we exclude most sovereigns. Cross currency markets have also... read more

With gold surging and oil tumbling nearly 5 percent, today analyst Tom DeMark sounded the alarm bells regarding the recent stock market rally. A portion of today’s note from Art Cashin: DeMark Says A Stall Here Could Be A Problem – Here’s a bit from Bloomberg: The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index’s rally will give way to a full-blown retreat should the benchmark gauge lose altitude... read more

With stocks weakening, crude oil plunging, and gold surging, today a 50-year market veteran warned King World News that things are continuing to deteriorate in the real world at an alarming rate. Things Are Continuing To Deteriorate In The Real World At An Alarming RateJohn Embry: “Eric, things are continuing to deteriorate in the real world at an alarming rate… “As Jason Goep... read more

At a time of growing concern about the global financial system, it is time to remind ourselves why physical gold is so important, as well as those who might be considering what the benefits are of owning gold. This article explains the role of gold as money, and the dangers of leaving money on deposit in the banking system. In the interests of informing and educating a wider audience abo... read more

Switzerland has net imported 35.8 tonnes of gold from Venezuela in January 2016. This unusually high tonnage must be gold from the central bank of Venezuela – Banco Central de Venezuela (BCV) – that has been swapping metal with banks or simply sold it in the open market. Remarkably, after Venezuela repatriated 160 tonnes in official gold reserves from 25 November 2011 until 30 Janu... read more

Only last week, the internal affairs minister, Sanae Takaichi, sent a clear message to media organizations. Broadcasters that repeatedly failed to show “fairness” in their political coverage, despite official warnings, could be taken off the air, she told MPs. Momii caused consternation after his appointment when he suggested that NHK would toe the government line on key diplomatic issue... read more

Despite the large commercial short positions, are we about to see a massive short squeeze in silver? James Turk: “This is an option expiry week for gold and silver, Eric. The Comex options go off the board Wednesday, February 24th. Then the over-the-counter options expire later in the week… The last week of February is a particularly important one for silver. That’s because March... read more

Lost in the fog of fear over the War on Cash is the obvious alternative: gold and silver coins. Worried about the elimination of $100 bills because it makes it harder to accumulate and safe keep meaningful amounts of cash? An ounce of gold stores a lot more wealth than a $100 bill. Currently one roll of silver eagles is worth more than three $100 bills. Whatever measures the Government t... read more

One way to lose a war is to focus on preparing to fight the last war. “The last war” in 2008-09 was a battle to save heavily leveraged centralized financial institutions from default and liquidation. There won’t be a “Lehman Moment” in the 2016 meltdown… Submitted by Charles Hugh Smith, Of Two Minds: What the central banks cannot do is create productive places to i... read more