January 17, 2017 |

Is The Trump Trade Being Unwound?

Rally

Not to beat a dead horse, but recent price action in key markets begs the question of whether or not the Trump trade has finally run its course. Since Trump’s Presidential election victory in early November, many markets have done the exact opposite of what many analysts were calling for. Stocks have rocketed higher while bonds have been pummeled. The dollar index has also risen sharply in the last several weeks as rates have been on the rise. Optimism over possible tax cuts and a... Continue Reading

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January 13, 2017 |

Are Gold Investors Watching the Right Market?

Bond Market

The stock market is frequently mentioned when gold is discussed in the financial media. This makes perfect sense, given the fact that gold is often bought during times of market duress and may underperform when equity markets are headed higher. Although stocks remain not far from recent all-time highs, there could be something even more critical to financial markets in the near-term. The yield on the 10 year note is not far from crossing an important line. World renowned money manager Bill Gross believes that... Continue Reading

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January 11, 2017 |

Latest Fed Minutes Most Hawkish In Years-Or Are They?

hawk

Last week, investors got the latest release of the FOMC meeting minutes. Although at first glance the minutes appeared to be considerably more hawkish, the central bank did also cite some risk it sees in the New Year. While it can also be a matter of interpretation to a degree, upon a closer examination of the minutes the Fed still seems rather cautious. The central bank voted to raise rates last month for just the second time in a decade, and while the Fed now... Continue Reading

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January 9, 2017 |

Could Stocks Top on January 20th?

inauguration

It’s no secret that stocks have been on a ferocious run to the upside since the Presidential election victory by Donald Trump. The notion of looser regulation, tax cuts and massive fiscal stimulus has sent stocks sharply higher, especially banks’. Could the rally over the last several weeks prove to be a case of buy the rumor sell the fact? Some analysts appear to think so… In a recent article from Marketwatch.com, analysts from Morgan Stanley voiced some concerns that the rally in equities has... Continue Reading

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January 5, 2017 |

Better Times Ahead For Gold?

to remain

In spite of the declines seen in recent weeks following Donald Trump’s Presidential election victory, gold and silver still managed to put together a solid year of gains. Although these key precious metals remain vulnerable to further selling pressure, long-term buyers and bargain hunters may step in at or around current price levels, helping the metals find what may be a long-term bottom. Numerous issues have been cited for gold’s recent weakness, including stronger stocks, rising interest rates, a higher dollar index and economic optimism.... Continue Reading

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January 2, 2017 |

Will The Fed Deliver in 2017?

Economic Indicators

The Fed finally raised interest rates this past month for the first time in a year. Although this rate hike did not come as any surprise to global markets, what did perhaps catch markets slightly off-guard was changes made to the central bank’s dot-plot for 2017. The central bank is now forecasting three interest rate hikes in 2017 rather than just two. With Donald Trump taking office next month, things appear to be a lot more hawkish now than they did just a few short... Continue Reading

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December 29, 2016 |

Are Investors Putting the Cart Before the Horse?

House of Cards

The year is quickly winding down, and gold may end 2016 on a bit of a sour note. The recent decline in gold prices, with a strong rise in stocks, interest rates and the dollar goes to show just how quickly things can and do change in modern financial markets. Although gold could potentially remain on the defensive for the next several weeks or even months, we believe it is important to keep the recent sell off in perspective. Equity markets have been moving sharply... Continue Reading

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December 27, 2016 |

Gold Will Shine Again

As the year winds down, and as trading volumes decline, many key markets are likely right at or near levels where they will finish out 2016. Although stocks have had a great several weeks, other asset classes, such as gold and silver, have not performed as well. Although risk assets have been moving higher on the notion of increased spending and tax cuts, much remains to be seen that could determine how markets might perform in the New Year. We believe that gold and silver... Continue Reading

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December 23, 2016 |

There’s Still the Debt…

rapid inflation

The rally in stocks and the dollar seen over the last six weeks since the U.S. Presidential election has been the center of financial media focus. Given the amount of ground these markets have covered in a relatively short period of time, you might be asking yourself just how much more room stocks and the greenback have to run to the upside. Although no one can say for sure, the answer is probably a lot. The rally may very well continue into the first several... Continue Reading

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December 21, 2016 |

Don’t Get Distracted by all of the Noise

Ignore

Last week marked the first time the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates in a year, and only the second time it has done so in a decade. Although the Fed did not surprise markets at all implementing a rate hike of 25bps, the central bank did appear to sound considerably more hawkish than markets had expected. Given the fact that a quarter point rate hike by the Fed was pretty much a foregone conclusion, investors turned their attention to the central bank’s plans for... Continue Reading

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