Brandybuck

China Export Ban Could Sting Certain ETFs

The USa can and has produced all these materials in the past - we have used Chinese sources the last decade due to their cheaper nature. The "unavailble at any price" is incorrect.

FOMC Pulls Out All the Stops (Part 2)

Yes, the Fed is monetizing the debt (printing money). Left unchecked, this will result in a serious inflation. However, given the extremely low veloctiy of money we are experiencing world-wide at the moment, the inflationary effects may take a while, say 12-18 months, before they are felt. Also note the Fed can also reduce the money supply just as quickly as they create it (by selling back those T-bonds). Runaway inflation is not a sure-fire bet. Right now, we are in a Deflationary recession. Things are not going to turn on a dime. That said, some GLD in a portfolio is probably not a bad idea, but only as a hedge. Hard monetary assets don't "produce" or earn anything - they merely hold their inlfation-adjusted value. Yes, by all means protect (hedge) the value of your savings, but don't be looking for Gold at $3000 an ounce anytime soon. -LB

E*Trade Will Recover

I've been an Etrade customer since 1996 - I love the convenience of having my FDIC bank account accesible with one click! It will be a crime if the big boys manage to drive them out of business...