The dollar drops - your money grows! If...
Written by Brian HicksPosted August 22, 2006The image is comical until you realize what it means. In an ad I saw yesterday for an Israeli foreign currency exchange service, Uncle Sam dangles from a parachute down your computer screen. "Wake up," the Hebrew letters read, "The dollar is falling!"
A World in Chaos...Buy Gold
Written by Brian HicksPosted August 18, 2006As we look around us, the world is becoming an increasing dangerous place. Whether it is a war, a rumor of a war, terrorism, corrupt government action, insane financial risk, fiat currencies, trade imbalances, or just man's inhumanity to man, the world is becoming increasing unstable, and less likely to sustain life as we have enjoyed it here in the western world for so long.
Paying for War
Written by Brian HicksPosted August 15, 2006After days turned into weeks, we have now come to the close of a full month of high-intensity conflict between Israel and Lebanese militia Hizbullah. As the armies cautiously tiptoe back to previously held positions, residents and businesses in two countries must start the financial tally of reassembly.
Housing's Ill-gotten Gains
Written by Brian HicksPosted August 14, 2006Honesty is the best policy. Twain knew this well. But unfortunately in the housing market the truth is often the first casualty of the bidding war.
The Game Has Changed
Written by Brian HicksPosted August 9, 2006Baltimore, MD- Where once there were fortunes made only the weeds now grow. But it's not the weeds here that are so noticeable as it is the silence.
Chile Copper Export
Written by Luke BurgessPosted August 8, 2006While the rest if the commodity world is focused on the 400,000 barrel per day oil shut-in at Prudhoe Bay, I'm looking over 7,000 miles away to the northern Atacama Desert of Chile where their copper exports are being threatened.
Where There's Water, There's Fire
Written by Brian HicksPosted August 8, 2006The last time I headed to the Middle East during the summer, my ever-cautious mother asked me if I packed my raincoat. No, I answered, It doesnt rain there in summertime. No one knows this better than the residents of Southern Lebanon, whose precious Litani River is about to resume its longtime role as a territorial boundary and resource rope in a regional tug-o-war.
World Trade on the Ropes
Written by Brian HicksPosted August 4, 2006In the boxing match of global commerce, the World Trade Organization is in a position to award championship belts. Unfortunately, though, the fighters too often walk away from the ring.
Ho...Ho ...Ho...These Homes have Got to Go
Written by Brian HicksPosted July 31, 2006Throw another Yule log on the fire, grab yourself another eggnog, and call the kids down to unwrap their presents. Sure it is a little hot outside, but it's never too early to be thinking about gifts.....lots and lots of gifts.
The Iceberg Looms
Written by Brian HicksPosted July 26, 2006In his Congressional testimony last week, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke set to the task of dutifully rearranging the deck furniture. Calm as ever he made no move whatsoever to the lifeboats and coolly turned aside all talk of icebergs.
The Oil War No One Sees Coming
Written by Brian HicksPosted July 25, 2006There is an oil crisis in the making in the Near East. Ethnic divisions and the international War on Terror are at play, and escalation means jeopardy to major supply routes. This is not Lebanon. This is Georgia.
Waiting for the Next Wave
Written by Brian HicksPosted July 21, 2006The current situation in junior mining stocks reminds me of times when I enjoyed surfing as a young man. While there were moments of shear exhilaration as the waves would suddenly come alive, there were also moments of monotonous boredom waiting for the next big set of waves to arrive. In the process, the number of surfers in the water would dramatically change with the circumstances.
Manifest Destiny: The Boots that Change the Landscape
Written by Brian HicksPosted July 19, 2006If the current mess in the Middle East leads to full scale regional war, Gilad Shalits brush with destiny will be remembered as the occurrence that started it all.
Looking at Long-Term Gold
Written by Luke BurgessPosted July 18, 2006Gold dips nearly $40 an ounce in two days! But are we concerned? Not a chance pal. Gold's long-term fundamentals are positive and we remain as bullish as ever.
Beirut Burns, Oil Boils
Written by Brian HicksPosted July 18, 2006It's stifling here in Baltimore. Across the United States and throughout much of the world, summertime is making its full force felt and inspiring us to withdraw into the shade.