Venezuela Nationalizes Gold Mining; Meanwhile, Gold Prices Drop

According to reports from The Associated Press, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez formalized the nationalization of the South American country’s gold mining industry early this week in response to rising concerns about the value of the U.S. dollar.

Why The Run-Up In Gold Is Not A “Bubble”

As the price of gold continues to rise (gold topped $1,900 per ounce on Tuesday), there has been a lot more noise on the Internet and occasionally in other media warning about the run-up in gold prices being a financial “bubble.” This couldn’t be more wrongheaded.

Why The Run-Up In Gold Is Not A "Bubble"

As the price of gold continues to rise (gold topped $1,900 per ounce on Tuesday), there has been a lot more noise on the Internet and occasionally in other media warning about the run-up in gold prices being a financial “bubble.” This couldn’t be more wrongheaded.

Swiss Struggle With Strong Franc

The Swiss government took steps Wednesday to weaken the Swiss franc, which has enjoyed record-high strength recently. According to CNBC, the government announced that it wants to inject 2 billion Swiss francs into the economy, in order to combat overvaluation of the currency.

Gold Rush

Gold’s explosive move to new nominal heights reflects more than an expansion of the European sovereign debt crisis and Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt. It also reflects the expectation of massive liquidity injections — in the U.S., in Europe and around the world — to pay off the massive debts that have been accumulated.

Gold Prices Continue Climb To Record Heights

The price of gold topped $1,700 an ounce Monday, as investors continue to place their confidence in metals over currencies. The European Central Bank had attempted to allay fears by widening its bond-buying programs to include Spain and Italy, but traders remain nervous.

Wild Horses And Black Swans

What really worries me about our future is the unknown that might jump up and bite us. Things that are not only unpredictable but are counter to anything we might expect. Essayist and practitioner of mathematical finance Nassim Nicholas Taleb has a term for unpredictable events: “Black Swans.”

OPEC Takes Aim At America

Only once have I looked down the barrel of a gun. I can tell you it was damn disconcerting. It happened 25 years ago. The automatic rifles that were drawn on me then are pointed at America today. Yet President Barack Obama refuses to acknowledge that America is facing Middle Eastern guns.

Should We Buy Gold, Silver?

Dear Bob,

With gold and silver hitting new highs, should we continue to buy?
 

Switzerland To Introduce Gold Coins Again?

Switzerland has always been among the countries with the highest gold reserves. Despite reducing its reserves in the past two decades, Switzerland still has the highest gold holdings per capita and its currency, the Swiss franc, has been among the top-performing currencies in recent years.