U.S. Foreign Exchange The number of international corporations and financial professionals that follow the ever-changing ratio of U.S. dollars to Chinese Yuan has increased and expanded beyond its borders. This is an indication of just how critical the trade relationship that binds the world's two largest economies has become. Although the relationship between the United States, Canada and Mexico continues to be even more robust than the Sino-American arrangement, the consumer economy of the United States is heavily dependent upon smooth flows of goods from the workshops of China to the Pacific ports of California and Washington State. In many ways, the continued harmonious economic … [Read more...]
Australian Banks Rated As Low Risk
Australian Banks and Economic Environment Positive In a world analysis Australian banks have been found to pose a low degree of risk to the global financial system. According to Dr Robert Engle, the 2003 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics and a professor of finance at Stern School of Business at New York University, the Australian banking system is robust and capitalized enough to endure another financial crisis. He said the economic environment was positive from an Australian perspective and that the liquidity measures that had been implemented were proving to be effective. The comments were made as part of Dr Engle’s presentation on systemic risk within the worldwide financial … [Read more...]
What are “Foreign Exchange Reserves”?
Will the U.S. Dollar Be Replaced as the World's Reserve Currency? Foreign Exchange Reserves are foreign money held by International banks for use in international trade and in an effort to diversify their holdings and hedge against the inflation of their own currency. The most common items bought and sold with their foreign exchange reserves are oil and gold. Up until 1944 the asset of choice was gold and it was used as the medium of exchange between countries to settle their debts. But in July 1944, delegates from the 44 Allied nations gathered in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire., and made the U.S. dollar the reserve currency of the world. At that time, the dollar was pegged at $35 per ounce … [Read more...]
Worried About Inflation – Consider Inflation Indexed Bonds
Inflation-Indexed Bonds (aka i-Bond)- Although inflation is currently low it is still a key concern for investors, because with interest rates at record lows and the FED promising to keep them there for the foreseeable future even a small uptick in inflation can prevent an investor from achieving a real return on investment, as returns on investment fail to beat inflation rates. If a return on investment fails to beat inflation, then in real terms you have not earned any money. You may have a larger figure for your total net worth, but in terms of purchasing power this will earn you less as the costs of living increased at a higher rate. On target Inflation is currently tracking at … [Read more...]
Selling Your Scrap Gold During The Economic Downturn
Selling Your Scrap Gold Economic downturns are a fact of life and you never know when you might be caught up in events outside your control. That is why you always have to be prepared for the circumstances life might throw at you. If during good times you have accumulated some gold either as jewelry or coins, then selling your scrap gold is one such step that you can take when times are rough. There are many advantages of having some gold as an insurance policy against tough times. What is "Scrap Gold"? In its simplest terms, scrap gold is any gold that is sent back to the refiner for recycling. Mostly it is broken jewelry that is no longer needed. Gold coins are rarely melted down … [Read more...]
Why Gold is a Good Investment for Inflationary Times
The Impact of Inflation on Savings If you keep your money in the bank or in money market funds, inflation can eat away at their value. Inflation can be deceiving because your account balances won’t go down. However, when you take your money out to buy something, you might notice that you won’t be able to buy as much as you used to. Therefore, if you don’t put your money into something that keeps up with inflation, you’ll soon find your savings won't buy as much. As an investor, you need to be prepared for the risk of inflation. It happens when there is too much money chasing too few goods, so prices have to go up (because of an increase in the money supply). When the economy is facing … [Read more...]
US Savings Bonds Are Still A Safe Investment
With interest rates still at record lows, many people are looking for alternatives to savings accounts. US Savings Bonds are a safe and smart investment choice. No other investment carries the full weight of the U.S. government. The U.S. Treasury Department guarantees investors will receive their full principle plus interest. Consider why purchasing savings bonds is an investment that can be made with confidence. US Savings Bonds: Conservative, but Smart Although savings bonds do not yield as much return as higher-risk investments, investors can rest easy knowing they will not loose their money. The financial downturn of the last few years has resulted in many Americans loosing large … [Read more...]
Gold and the Federal Reserve
Gold-US Dollar Link by Chris Vermeulen The $1800 per ounce level continues to be a major technical resistance area for gold. After hovering near $1800 recently, gold moved sharply away from that level last week to close at $1735 an ounce. Despite that, more fund managers and analysts continue to point to a bright long-term future for gold prices. John Hathaway of the Tocqueville Gold Fund says gold will reach new highs within a year. He based his forecast, like many others, on the fact that negative real interest rates look likely to persist as Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve continue to print money. Believe it or not, some mainstream analysts are also touting gold’s … [Read more...]
Civil Liberties Rest Upon Sound Money
Sound Money = Freedom Over the years I have written many times about the necessity of sound money to base our economy on and the results of wanton reckless money creation that will alway result in inflation and a worthless currency either sooner or later. I've told you about how inflation affects you, and how the Money Supply affects Inflation and Who Inflation Hurts the Most. I also spoken at length about the value of gold as the Timeless Inflation Hedge and how Gold is Still Money. Today, Wendy McElroy, author of The Art of Being Free shares a deep and fascinating research on all the main issues we face: the loss of security in the name of security, the state's role in strangling … [Read more...]
Will Greece Follow Iceland or Weimar Germany?
In Iceland the bankers were told to stuff it. In Weimar Germany they resorted to the printing press. Which model will modern day Greece follow?It seems that the words Weimar Germany and Hyperinflation are almost synonymous. The Weimar Republic (Das Weimarer Republik in German) is the name of the democratic government which was established in 1919 when Germany was defeated in WWI and Emperor Wilhelm II abdicated the throne. The problem came from the War repairations that were foisted upon Germany by the winners and the growing internal unrest which was allowing the Nazi's to gain a foothold. In an effort to pay their debts, promote full employment, and fight back against growing competitive … [Read more...]
