Who Killed the Gold Price?

The Gold Report: On April 15, the gold price plunged about 9%the biggest one-day loss ever for the yellow metal. Many gold investors got "murdered" that day. Has your personal investigation revealed any suspects?

Ian Gordon: I suspect it was akin to what happened in 1999. The then-governor of the Bank of England, Edward George, supposedly said that "any further rise in the gold price would take down one or more trading houses." He said the rising price of gold was curtailed through the work of the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England. It appears that a bullion bank was caught offside on the short side and they had to take the price of gold down quite dramatically to allow it to cover.

I think something similar happened in April. I think it was manipulated to the downside. Goldman, Sachs Co. encouraged its clients to short sell gold two days before this occurred.

TGR: Could it have just been an error?

Continue reading "Who Killed the Gold Price?"

Oil price rises above $97 as Fed fears ease

The price of oil rose above $97 a barrel Thursday, as the latest U.S. economic data raised hopes for an increase in gasoline demand but suggested the Federal Reserve can wait to pull back on its current stimulus measures.

Meanwhile, the price of natural gas fell to nearly a 4-month low, and the cost of filling up the family car dropped again as the July Fourth holiday approaches.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell by 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 346,000 last week, evidence that the job market is still improving modestly. Steady job gains could help the economy expand later this year, and would mean more people driving to work. Continue reading "Oil price rises above $97 as Fed fears ease"

This Little-Known Fed Index May Be Signaling Recession

By: David Sterman Street Authority

Over the past year, economists have noticed an unusual pattern as they digested the series of monthly reports on housing, consumer confidence, purchasing managers, trade flows and other key economic inputs.

These reports showed consistently mixed signals, though it was clear that the U.S. economy was faring OK. And that has led to hopes of more consistently positive reports in the second half of 2013 and into 2014. By next year, many economists have come to expect a firmer backdrop, with GDP perhaps growing in the 2.5% to 3% range.

Yet it may be time to start questioning that brightening outlook. Perhaps the greatest measure of economic activity -- one ignored by most investors, unfortunately -- is flashing yellow and may soon be flashing redContinue reading "This Little-Known Fed Index May Be Signaling Recession"

U.S. economy grows at slower 1.8 pct. rate in Q1

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.8 percent in the first three months of the year, significantly slower than first thought. The steep revision occurred mostly because consumers spent less than previously estimated, a sign that higher taxes could be dampening growth.

The Commerce Department revised its estimate of economic growth for the January-March quarter down from a 2.4 percent annual rate. The revised rate was still faster than the 0.4 percent rate in the October-December quarter.

Economists had thought growth in the April-June quarter would be 2 percent or less. Analysts had also expected growth to strengthen in the second half of this year. The downgrade for the January-March quarter will likely change those estimates. Continue reading "U.S. economy grows at slower 1.8 pct. rate in Q1"

Are You Protected from Oil Price Downside?

The Energy Report: What have been the most important changes in the oil and gas markets since your last interview in February?

Chen Lin: Yes, there has been a major change: I turned bearish on China, and I warned my subscribers about that in Q1/13. I shorted copper, the Australian dollar and U.S. government bonds and I just booked a nice profit after the Fed decision. I also shorted oil as a hedge. I have short positions in both copper and oil.

TER: Where's the downside risk? Continue reading "Are You Protected from Oil Price Downside?"