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Dambisa Moyo: 'Winner Take All'
Dambisa Moyo is an economist and the award-winning author of 'Dead Aid.' Her latest work is 'Winner Take All.' She was interviewed by Dawn Nakagawa of the Berggruen Institute on Governance
Rising Tensions Over China's Monopoly on Rare Earths?
China's dominance of the global rare earths market continues to impact on the economic and strategic calculations of a host of Western consumers
Speculators are to Blame for High Oil, OPEC Says
The head of OPEC said that speculators are partly to blame for oil's high prices, not any lack of supply
How to Invest in the Globe's Booming Population
Betting on commodities by buying futures contracts directly can be very risky. So having a core position in a fund that invests broadly in commodity-related businesses with some side positions tied specifically to agriculture and energy is probably the smartest move for the retail investor
Mineral Wealth Set to Transform Mongolia into 'Minegolia'
A nation of just over 3 million, where herding and agriculture have long been the dominant features of the economy, Mongolia is on the cusp of becoming a global financial supernova. Experts estimate that the country possesses as much as $1 trillion-worth of untapped precious metals and minerals
China Launches Own Iron Ore Price Index
The world's biggest consumer of iron ore raw material, China, launched its own iron ore price index in an effort to have a greater say in global pricing
Low Interest Rates Support Higher Gold Price
Concerns about higher inflation and fears of a downturn have helped boost gold's price, but the biggest contributor has been historically low real interest rates. Here's why the price of gold has the potential to move even higher
Gold ETFs Still Shine in a Diverse Portfolio
According to some analysts, gold may hold the bulk of this run into 2012; at least three major investment banks hiked their price forecasts, though some do expect gold to pull back from what they see as current highly speculative levels. Here's a look at some of the leading gold ETFs
Gulf Markets Worry About Oil Outlook
Fear that the days of global economic recovery and rising oil prices may fast be fading has sent shivers through Gulf stock markets
Why Copper Is the Metal to Watch
In recent weeks, metals of all sorts -- precious and industrial -- have taken a beating in a major selloff in the commodities market. Experts cite a number of reasons, including speculation, increased margin requirements, and concerns that the economic recovery may not be as strong as previously thought. But experts say the losses in copper are the most troubling
Demand and Disasters Complicate Global Energy Picture
The global energy picture has become more complicated in 2011, but investors are making some sense of it. The nuclear outage in Japan and turbulence in oil-producing nations is prompting increased demand for alternative electricity sources such as natural gas and coal, though both carry some environmental concerns
What You Really Pay for at the Pump
Do you know exactly what you're paying for when you fill up? Not all of your hard-earned dollars end up in the coffers of big gasoline tycoons or Middle Eastern despots. The list of players is long, so we talked to the experts to find out where your money goes when you cash out at the pump
How Contango Affects Your Investments
Today individuals can invest in commodities through an increasing number of ETFs and mutual funds that employ sophisticated strategies. But before jumping into this sector, experts say it's important for investors to understand some of the peculiarities in the commodities market. One of the most problematic is a phenomenon called contango. Here's what you need to know
What Next for Gold? Is Gold's Latest Selloff a Turning Point?
During times of uncertainty, investors flock to gold. But times aren't as uncertain as they used to be. Granted, unemployment remains high, and there is unrest in countries in the Middle East like Egypt. But the fear of a double-dip recession has mostly subsided in the United States and the economy is expanding again. Is this is a short-term selloff or a major turning point for gold prices?
Gold's Hype May Blind Average Investors To Its Inherent Risk
Now that gold's 10-year bull run is official history, you'd think the buzz about the precious metal's promise might finally buzz off. But if you've been anywhere in shouting distance of financial news lately, you'll know that the bull calls are far from over
New ETF Holds Gold As Well As Silver, Platinum and Palladium
Gold and silver have benefited from investors worried about a currency crisis. Industrial metals like platinum and palladium have come roaring back in the midst of a slow but fairly steady global economic recovery. Until recently, it was only possible to invest in these metals separately. Now there's an ETF, Physical Precious Metal Basket Shares (symbol GLTR), that tracks all four
In Gold's Shadow: How Other Metals Fit Into Portfolios
Gold, which thrives when investors are fearful, tends to stall or sink when markets are strong or when crises settle down. Gold, however, is hardly the only precious metal out there. With that in mind, here's a guide to how three other metals -- platinum, palladium, and silver -- fit into investors' portfolios.
What Gold Can and Cannot Do For You
While the Euro has taken a hit, gold has shot up to all-time highs, above $1,200 per ounce. Investors must decide for themselves whether or not commodities like gold belong in their portfolio, but for those who want to know what all the fuss is about, here are a few things to know
Summer Gas Prices to Spike but Not to Record Highs
Global crude oil prices hit an 18-month high as the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline reached $2.85, the highest it's been since October 2008. This is both good news and bad news. The bad news is that the economic recovery could slow if gas prices rise too fast. The good news, though, is that the United States is almost certainly not headed toward another summer of $4-a-gallon gas
Some Latin Currencies May Be Too Strong
Just when Latin America had come out relatively unscathed from the world economic crisis, a new threat could endanger the region's growth: its increasingly strong currencies. On the surface, the steady appreciation of most Latin American currencies has a feel-good domestic effect. But, at the same time, strong local currencies will hurt the region's exports.
Gold Remains Volatile But Worth Modest Gleam in Portfolio
The concept 'good as gold' is polished to a fine shine from time to time by negative factors such as volatile currencies, weak financial markets, bank failures and instability due to political, economic and financial unrest. Historically considered a safe haven, gold's performance in recent years has benefitted from all those forms of global financial pestilence
Politics Behind Hugo Chavez's Currency Devaluation
A lot has been written in recent days about the economic impact of drastic devaluation of the Venezuelan currency announced by Venezuela's authoritarian-populist President Hugo Chávez. But the measure's political impact may be just as important, if not more.
The last decade has seen an extraordinary shift in expectations for the world energy system. After a long era of excess capacity prices for oil and most energy commodities have risen sharply and become more volatile. As such, a crisis is looming which will be difficult to resolve.
The last decade has seen an extraordinary shift in expectations for the world energy system. After a long era of excess capacity prices for oil and most energy commodities have risen sharply and become more volatile. As such, a crisis is looming which will be difficult to resolve.
Oil Investments Are Predictably Unpredictable
Oil companies are the elephant in the room. The wide trading range and erratic movement of oil prices has been perplexing to pundits, investors and motorists alike. You're not hearing bold prognostications or definitive explanations about either oil prices or oil-company stocks. Better to simply wait quietly for everything to play out, most rational people reason. When that will occur, however, no one knows for sure.
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Low and Behold the Price of Oil
The rapid fall and then rebound in oil prices over the past year surprised many people. But it was not unusual: commodities markets are cyclical by nature and have a history punctuated by sudden turning points. Although this generally makes it difficult to forecast prices, it is safe to say that commodities markets will remain lower over the next few years than they have been over the past five.
Biofuel Technology and Performance Issues Could Slow Acceptance
Biofuels are a conundrum. Their potential advantages are undeniable: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, lessening of our dependency on imported oil, support of domestic agriculture. And they certainly have their supporters. The Obama administration repeatedly affirmed its backing of rapid development of alternative energy sources, including biofuels. Still, the hurdles are high.
Why Price of Gold Coins Higher than Actual Price of Gold
The spot price of gold is the price of raw gold coming out of the ground.
Prices of gold coins range from 1 percent to 8 percent higher than the spot price due to a supply chain that includes a mint, wholesalers and retailers, with various manufacturing, distribution and administrative costs contributing to the markup.
The availability and demand associated with a coin can also influence price, with high demand significantly increasing premiums. General demand for gold in last year's fourth quarter boosted premiums at many dealers.
"Gold bars are the cheapest form of gold beyond the spot price, followed by the South African Krugerrand, Canadian Maple Leaf and American Gold Eagle," said
Blanchard uses a tiered pricing system based on how many gold coins a customer intends to buy. One must purchase 50 coins to receive the lowest markup.
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