Barry Robbins

Largest Gold Reserves by Country

Which of these numbers are actually audited? When were the U.S. gold holdings ever audited? Has GLD been audited? If so, then please provide a link. Many people have raised doubts about GLD, and whether they really just have "paper" gold. If anyone has any "official" response, please post here.

Time to Take Profits in Gold Miners?

Thanks for the writeup on AUY. I also own a couple of silver miners (HL & SVM), and NovaGold (NG). Do you have any opinion on these? Silvercorp, SVM, a very well capitalized silver miner in China, seems very promising. Thanks.

Silver Trending Towards Backwardation Again

In this case, I am not concerned with backwardation. People want to hold the physical metal - now - not in a month's time. I have read numerous articles as well saying that futures contracts could be settled in shares of GLD or SLV. Many people are expressing doubts over these ETFs, because of the twisted language some see in their prospectuses. The overall picture is pretty simple - the market has come a long way - it now has a very lofty PE - and the US Govt is incurring massive new debts. All of those things push people like me into physical gold, silver, and miners of these metals.

Who Will Claim Victory with Gold and Silver?

Although this particular gold/silver rally is a bit long in the tooth, it is clear what the long-term direction is: UP. Maybe we get some consolidating pull-backs - I hope so, because those are the buying opportunities. Everywhere you look, governments are trying to weaken their currencies. It is pretty simple - as long as foreigners continue to loan the US Gov't money - the US Gov't will never have a balanced budget, and the USD will continually weaken.

Jaguar Mining's Unexplored Territory

The problem with shorting is that stocks could lose "real" value, but because of currency inflation stocks still go up. If you look at the Dow since 2001, it has always been going down, when priced in terms of gold (which, along with silver, is our only real money).

The Gold / Silver Ratio: From 1300 to 1900... And Now

I own silver through CEF (fund owns real gold and silver, audited). I also own HL, which has incredibly cheap book value of 0.87. Find me another growing silver/gold company that can beat that book value.

Rise of the Silver Surfer and Mortgage Insurance Wasteland

CEF and GTU are 2 easy ways to own gold and silver. Their physical metals are stored and audited. The founders of these companies will soon come out with a fund dedicated to silver, exclusively. Real silver - none of the phony stuff!

Why I'm Keeping an Eye on Corporate Defaults

If you are interested in investing in Gold, you might want to look at CEF or GTU, which both hold physical gold. Some of the Gold investors I have read recently have expressed doubts about GLD, and whether GLD actually has the assets it claims, or just claims on those assets.

Canada's Loonie Assassin Strikes Again!

This is another example of why it is better to own gold and silver over currencies. Governments across the world seem dedicated on destroying the value of their currencies. The only currency I currently own is the Australian dollar, through FXA. The Swiss Franc and Singapore dollar are the only other "safe" currencies out there.

U.S. Banks Putting 'Lipstick on a Pig'

At this point, after a big run-up in financial stocks, I can't see why you would buy C or BAC. Is there still more upside ahead? Also, you didn't mention the huge "trading" gains most big banks made on the AIG govt-sponsored CDS payoffs. Obviously, now is a "sit on the sidelines" time for the stock investor. The only remaining decision is whether inflation or deflation will result. Weiss mentioned in the Bloomberg article sees deflation. Others like Schiff, see inflation. In the short term, I see inflation, so I am putting a lot in Gold and Silver (CEF and GTU).

Will a 'Silver Bullet' Finally Kill the Metal Manipulators?

Do you have an opinion on CEF and GTU?

China Infrastructure Smallcaps Worth a Long Look

The thing I don't understand about these stocks (and I own similar ones, like CWSI.ob) is - why isn't there more insider buying? why do I not see hedge fund buying, if the fundamentals are so amazing? why is there so little disclosure? and why are so many of them listed as .ob? If a company has solid earnings and a pe of 5, why not get a regular nasdaq listing?

Let Satyam Go Bankrupt

I am not sure why a company with minimal debt & big profit margins should go bankrupt. Saytam's only problem is perception - the business itself is solid. Considering the company currently has a PE of around 1, I am willing to take a chance on this one.

Looks Like It's Time to Buy Oil

If you think oil is moving up from here, DXO is a double-long oil ETF. ERY is a 3x Energy Bear ETF.

Mexico's Hedge Signals Bottom of Oil Price Drop

I think the decline of Mexico's major oil field, Cantarell, will have a much bigger effect on raising the price of oil. Cantarell's decline will also push down the value of the peso, since the field is a major source of revenue for the Mexican government. I think the puts are a way for the Mexican government to guarantee their revenue stream - if oil goes down, they make money on the puts. if it goes up they make money selling oil. They minimize their gains and losses.