ScotiaMocatta, the Canadian commodities trader and subsidiary of the Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE: BNS), has asked regulators to approve plans for a fund that would take physical positions in copper.Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE ADR: CS) is working with Glencore International AG, the world's largest trading house, on an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will be backed by actual aluminum supplies.And ETF...Read More
The dollar is out as the world's predominant reserve currency.Central banks around the world increased their foreign currency holdings by $413 billion in the second quarter, the most since at least 2003, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News. But 63% of that new cash was put into currencies other than the dollar. That's a record-high percentage for any quarter with more than an $80 billion...Read More
Keith Fitz-GeraldTwo distinct groups of investors have emerged since the U.S. stock market rally began in early March. Initially overly cautious and smug in their desire to protect themselves, the first group of investors were convinced the rally was going to sputter and stall. It hasn't, and 57% later these investors now believe they're getting left behind, so they're piling into the key indices...Read More
New fears over the U.S. dollar's vulnerability - warranted or not - have been a boon not only to gold prices, but its more affordable inflationary hedge silver.The white metal is up roughly 10% since Money Morning's Sept. 28 analysis of silver with futures trading as high as $17.71 this morning on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).While gold rightly gets ample amounts of mainstream media co...Read More
In what is being viewed as a last-ditch effort to avoidfiling for protection from its creditors, commercial lender CIT Group Inc.(NYSE: CIT) isoffering bondholders a debt exchange, while still preparing for a likelychapter 11 bankruptcy filing.CIT in July raised $3 billionfrom bondholders to keep afloat after it was denied more fundsfrom the U.S. government under the Troubled Asset Relief Program...Read More
There canbe little doubt that 2008 was a nightmare for investors of all outlooks. In themidst of the carnage, it seemed to make little difference whether yourportfolio rested on the bedrock of sound economic principles or if it was basedon nothing but hot air.However,as I pointed out at the time, the mad scramble of last fall was perhaps thelargest head fake in market history. In a bizarre outcome...Read More
China's trade with Africa has increased ten-fold over thepast decade, as the rising Asian power has rapidly matured into a political andeconomic powerhouse. And with China still in the thralls of an epic growthspurt, its designs on Africa's resources are beginning to conflict with thoseof the West.Indeed, Africa - with its abundance of natural resources -is shaping up tot be the most hotly contest...Read More
When Xerox Corp. (NYSE: XRX) yesterday (Monday) unveiled plans to pay $6.4 billion for outsourcing specialist Affiliated Computer Services Inc. (NYSE: ACS), it was just one of four major financing deals with an aggregate value of more than $14 billion announced on the day.And that wasn't all. Newegg Inc., a well-known computer and electronics e-tailer, announced plans to raise $175 million via an...Read More
While prices of gold don't necessarily affect silver prices or vice versa, history has demonstrated that when gold rises or falls, silver usually follows suit.This time around, silver has failed to match the gains that gold posted in recent months, spawning a widespread believe that silver is poised for a bull run. Such factors as a decline in supply and a weakening U.S. dollar have buttressed tha...Read More
In their official statement Wednesday, U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers said they "continue to anticipate that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the Federal Funds Rate for an extended period."That means interest rates will remain at artificially low levels for some time to come.And it also means the central bank's policymaking arm, the Federal Open Market Commi...Read More
With prices testing their record high of $1,033 an ounce setlast year gold has again become the hot topic of conversation.But while many analysts are focusing on threat of inflation- which could be a byproduct of the U.S. Federal Reserve's reluctance towithdraw monetary stimulus - investors should really be watching China."In the post-financial crisis global economy, China isquickly becoming the p...Read More
Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said it was impossible to tell a bubble while you were in it. Well Alan, I've got news for you: We're in one now.The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is up 58% from its March lows, gold has finally broken through the $1,000-an-ounce level - and may go higher - and bond yields have fallen substantially in spite of the huge U.S. budget deficit.It's real...Read More
Shares in Noront Resources (NOT-V) tumbled $0.22 or almost 10% to $2.04 after publishing some much anticipated assay results from nine holes drilled almost 1,000 metres under the junior's flagship Eagle One nickel-copper-PGM deposit in the McFauld's Lake area of far northern Ontario.Noront's new management has renamed the project the Eagle's Nest, with Eagle One now known as Eagle 1A.The newly dis...Read More
Gold bugs pushed the gold prices to an18-month high today(Wednesday), as rattled investors focused on renewed weakness in the U.S.dollar and the looming potential for runaway inflation.Those factors combined to push gold as high as $1,023.30 an ounce, theloftiest level since late March 2008.The case for inflation was bolstered by several stronger-than-forecast economic reports that followed a stat...Read More
Peter KrauthAs gold once again breaks the psychologically important barrier of $1,000 an ounce, all the pundits are wondering if it will last.I have to confess that - deep down - this makes me smile. The reason: I know that the real question to ask is "When will gold go on to set new highs?"So let me cut right to the chase. This breakout run in gold prices will last.The "Golden Staircase" tells us...Read More
With our investment news briefs, Money Morning provides investors with a quick overview of the most important investing news stories from all around the world.Gov't Spending Spurs China Manufacturing; "Clunkers" Program Fuels Auto Sales; Existing U.S. Home Sales Rise Again; EBay Selling Skype to Private Investors; India's Exports Fall for 10th Month; Eurozone Unemployment Hits 10-Year High; Austra...Read More
Money Morning Special InvestmentReportIf you want to succeed as aninvestor in today's whipsaw markets, you have to be a real bulldog.An "Alpha Bulldog," that is.Money Morning Contributing Editor Martin Hutchinson - a27-year investing veteran of the global financial markets - has these daysbecome well known for his timely market calls. Slate magazine early this yearlauded Hutchinson's prescience fo...Read More
With the very real possibility that the stock marketrecovery has outrun the global economic rebound, investors need to considerdefensive investments that will provide protection and even some profits shouldsome of the world's top stock markets take it on the chin.To be sure, stock prices in many of the markets around theworld have come a long way since March. Investors who stood and watched asthei...Read More
Peter KrauthAfter earning hefty profits on its commodities trading for nearly 18 years, heavyweight trader Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) now finds itself on the hot seat, defending this crucial source of revenue.And while that may not be good for Goldman, it's also bad for investors. Let me explain...It all started back in 1991, when J. Aron & Co., Goldman's commodities-trading division, re...Read More
Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s (NYSE: GS) initial publicofferings (IPO) guru Tom Tuft has joined Bruce Wasserstein's Lazard Ltd. (NYSE: LAZ) as chairman ofGlobal Capital Markets Advisory and vice-chairman of its U.S. investmentbanking, in what could be a sign that the market for IPOs is thawing.Tuft, a 33-year Goldman vet who co-founded its equitycapital markets business in 1985 and became its chairma...Read More