Zeb

High Premiums on Silver? Better to Buy Gold

The high premiums on retail silver are simply the price of the market... the black market. Also, retail coins and small bars are worth some (1/2?)of the high premium over bulky 1000 ounces bars for their easier handling and exchange. It will be an interesting tug of war between the apparent attempts of the government to manage the price versus the reported white hot investor demand. If you are a silver bull buying SLV is a lame approach for several reasons. First, it is actively short sold itself. Second, it may not really be there in a panic. Third, it would be sooo easy for the government to cash out (confiscate) that silver. Fourth, taking physical possession takes silver off the market.

Panic Investors: Gold or Silver?

Palin offers no solutions, but in a pinch maybe Jesus will help her.

Oil at New Highs: Heading to the Exit Lane

Hey Fred,
Best regards and interesting article! Indeed the exit lane concept weighs heavily on me as well. For now, I am hanging on to my USO and also physical gold. I know, one of "those" people. Nothing in the linked article about commercial air disruptions, but there will be a blood bath there too...

In Which Direction is the Price of Oil Headed?

I think that the price of oil will rise relentlessly due to supply constraints. Most of the giant oil fields are in depletion worldwide. To maintain production at the present level of approximately 85 million barrels per day, 5 million barrels per day of new oil has to come on line every year. This is with CERA's optimistic depletion rates. Investing in oil is as close to a sure thing as exists. I don't expect that the game will ever change, because modern affluent people love to use this form of energy. Demand destruction will start with the poor and relentlessly work up the food chain to the rich (or the newly poor). In the end, only the politicians and military will be able to afford to drive and jet around....