Friday, June 11, 2010

Some economists wary of Chinese economic trends

- By John March
Some investors have been optimistically looking to emerging nations like China and India to help the global recovery gain momentum in the coming months.

This is because both countries have seen their gross domestic product continue to expand in recent quarters, even as the recession held back growth in much of the rest of the world. An emerging middle class in both nations is seen as having the potential to provide new consumer spending markets for corporations.

Also, manufacturing activity, particularly in China, could help sustain the price of some commodities and strategic metals as economic conditions improve.

However, some economists are warning against becoming overly optimistic about this scenario. In fact, recent months have seen increased concern that China's economy could turn out to be a bubble, citing real estate prices in Beijing and heavy lending activity by banks that could turn out to be ill-advised. In fact, China's government appeared to respond to such concerns earlier this year when it took steps to scale back lending activity.

More recently, a report in the UK's Telegraph newspaper warned that "China's banks are veering out of control," while predicting that the country's "half-reformed" economy will not be able to absorb some $600 billion in loans issued since December.

The Telegraph cited another potential disturbing trend for investors where Shanghai's composite index has risen 70 percent in the past six months while the country's imports have fallen 25 percent over the past year.

The newspaper also noted that 40 percent of China's economy consists of exports, which happened to fall 26 percent in May. Another point cited the increasing tendency of U.S. consumers to save their money, which does not bode well for a sudden and dramatic improvement to China's export figures.

Another red flag for China is the ongoing debt crisis in the euro zone, since this could turn out to be one more blow to its export sector. The euro has fallen considerably in recent weeks, which means consumers could find themselves paying more for Chinese goods at a time when their respective governments are implementing significant new austerity measures.

If Chinese economic growth turns out to be more of an illusion than a reality, it would have a substantial impact on the global economy. Fortunately however, investors have long known that times like these often call for the stability that dealer gold and other precious metals can offer.


John March is the Chief Technical Officer for the Superior Gold Group, his financial insights on precious metals are sought after by Gold & Silver Dealers globally.

If you have any questions about how to buy gold coins, and want to learn how to grow your portfolio call 888.374.4032 or write to askjohn@gold101.com.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Fitch downgrades Connecticut bond rating

Fitch downgrades Connecticut bond rating
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Deficit problems are affecting states as well as the federal government.
- By John March
World markets have been increasingly concerned about sovereign debt woes confronting several governments in Europe, and even in the United States. However, federal deficits aren't the only potential ticking time bomb when it comes to financial markets - a number of states are confronting their own substantial deficits as well.

For example, California's budget woes have been well-documented in the national media for months. The state has been suffering from a multibillion dollar budget deficit, and lawmakers have remained divided on ways to resolve the problem.

More recently, Fitch Ratings announced that it had downgraded Connecticut's GO bond rating from AA+ to AA. Fitch added that its rating outlook has been revised to stable from negative.

The downgrade was said to be due to what was called "the state's reduced financial flexibility, illustrated by its reliance on sizeable debt issuances during the current biennium."

Fitch also noted that Connecticut is the nation's wealthiest state by per capita personal income, and that "significant revenue declines" were among the reasons the state's budget reserves have been on the decline.


John March is the Chief Technical Officer for the Superior Gold Group, his financial insights on precious metals are sought after by Gold & Silver Dealers globally.

If you have any questions about how to buy gold coins, and want to learn how to grow your portfolio call 888.374.4032 or write to askjohn@gold101.com.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Combined credit debt fell again in February

Thursday, April 8, 2010
Consumers may be making more progress on personal financial issues.
- By Bruce Sands
Consumers have continued making progress in paying down their credit debts and auto loans, despite a shaky economy and questions about the strength of the recovery.

In the latest announcement from the Federal Reserve, the nation's combined consumer credit debt stood at $858.1 billion as of the end of February, down from $867.6 billion in January. The latest rate of decline, 13.1 percent on an annualized basis, was consistent with numbers seen in the fourth quarter of 2009.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, revolving consumer credit debt peaked at $958.1 billion, indicating that people have been paying down debts they ran up in the prelude to the financial collapse.

Some economists have also warned that the current decline in consumer credit is due considerably to the fact that many lenders have simply charged off old debts and are extending loans to fewer people. This is particularly likely now that federal credit card reforms have made it less profitable for lenders to offer new accounts to people with lower credit scores.

While consumers have showed progress in this area of the economy, it remains to be seen if the combination of weak spending and high unemployment will continue to make dealer gold an attractive investment option.


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Contact The Superior Gold Group and learn how to get on the gold standard at www.gold101.com or Call (888) 374-4032.

Precious metal prices benefiting from economic optimism

Monday, April 5, 2010
Precious metals are seeing recent economic gains.
- By Superior Gold Group
Silver and gold dealers are likely to see growing demand for precious metals among investors in the coming months, in light of an improving economy that has provided some momentum for commodities in general in recent days.

For example, a recent Associated Press report noted that platinum and palladium prices had gained last week, along with other metals such as copper and silver. Many of these materials are required for the manufacture of vehicles and electronics, among other consumer products.

The wire service added that improving auto sales had fueled the price gains for platinum, which was reportedly trading around $1,669 an ounce last week, and palladium, which was around $490 at the same time.

Changing technology has also created demand for other materials that may only become increasingly valuable in the coming years. For example, various media reports have noted that companies are now seeking out new deposits of lithium in an effort to meet the long-term demand for its use in batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Precious metals have long been seen as a safe haven investment for times of economic uncertainty, but new technologies have helped make these commodities more in demand regardless of what the financial climate may be.


News brought to you by Superior Gold Group – expert gold dealers offering precious metals products. Become part of the gold affiliate program today!

Contact The Superior Gold Group and learn how to get on the gold standard at www.gold101.com or Call (888) 374-4032.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Lawmakers show little inclination to tackle national debt

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Gold can be a safe investment option in light of a rising national debt.
- By John March
Many investors have been talking to silver and gold dealers about concerns raised by the ever-increasing U.S. national deficit, especially in light of widespread doubt about whether substantial action will be taken to resolve the problem.

Still, members of Congress and the White House have acknowledged the national debt problem to some extent in recent weeks. For example, earlier this month President Barack Obama announced the creation of a National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

The panel will be headed by former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, a Democrat, and former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson, a Republican from Wyoming.

"For far too long, Washington has avoided the tough choices necessary to solve our fiscal problems - and they won't be solved overnight," said Obama in his announcement.

However, the commission's recommendations will not be binding upon Congress, which raises concern in some quarters that it will make little real progress in the long run.

Given the economic chaos that the nation's debt burden could eventually bring upon the financial system, considering an investment in dealer gold may be a wiser long-term choice than ever.


John March is the Chief Technical Officer for the Superior Gold Group, his financial insights on precious metals are sought after by Gold & Silver Dealers globally.

If you have any questions about how to buy gold coins, and want to learn how to grow your portfolio call 888.374.4032 or write to askjohn@gold101.com.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Experts call for bipartisan approach to U.S. deficit problem

Budget experts are becoming increasingly wary of a U.S. deficit that could cause years of economic chaos for taxpayers and investors alike. With such an uncertain economic outlook brought on by soaring deficits around the world, people are continuing to consult with silver and gold dealers about their full range of options.

One such expression of concern came from Dr. Alice Rivlin of the Bipartisan Policy Center, who appeared before the Senate Budget Committee recently to urge lawmakers to focus more on finding bipartisan solutions to the current deficit situation.

"Complacency about the fiscal threat is no longer possible. Unfortunately, complacency has been replaced by strident partisan blaming - not yet by a willingness to cooperate on crafting solutions," Rivlin told lawmakers, pointing out that there "is no disagreement" among leading federal budget entities, such as the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office, about the serious scope of the problem.

The Bipartisan Policy Committee recently launched a task force aimed at cutting the national website where former public officials and others will try to build momentum for a realistic approach to reducing the U.S. deficit.

For two consecutive years, the budget deficit has soared beyond $1 trillion, contributing to a national debt that is rapidly approaching $14 trillion.


News brought to you by Superior Gold Group – expert gold dealers offering precious metals products. Become part of the gold affiliate program today!
Contact The Superior Gold Group and learn how to get on the gold standard at www.gold101.com or Call (888) 374-4032.

Gold rises with help from falling dollar

Investors who consulted with gold and silver dealers in the past week may have been able to take advantage of a lull in the upward pricing trend that precious metals have seen in recent months.

A report by MarketWatch this week noted that in Tuesday's trading, gold futures were up by a 2.5 percent margin, due in part to newfound weakness in the dollar that had made precious metals a more attractive option for many investors.

The report added that gold had risen $27,30 per ounce to $1,117.10, and that the price had hit $1,121 at one point.

The dollar may be experiencing some retreat in light of a resurgence of the euro, based on investors being more assured that the European Union will take steps to bail out the Greek economy, which has been teetering on the brink of a debt default in recent weeks.

Financial observers have also noted that gold and silver prices are not as dependent on a weak dollar as they once were, based in part on the expectation that increased industrial activity in developing nations will continue to sustain demand for precious metals.


John March is the Chief Technical Officer for the Superior Gold Group, his financial insights on precious metals are sought after by Gold & Silver Dealers globally.

If you have any questions about how to buy gold coins, and want to learn how to grow your portfolio call 888.374.4032 or write to askjohn@gold101.com.