As of Oct. 27, gold spot prices were hovering around $1,747 per ounce. Platinum, on the other hand, was selling for about $1,636 an ounce.   This means it takes just 0.93 ounces of gold to buy an ounce of platinum. Or,… Read More

As an asset class, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have a reputation for volatility. In some ways this reputation is well-deserved. After all, scores of ETFs are of the leveraged variety. These funds add extra juice by delivering double or even triple… Read More

A little hysteria can go a long way, especially when it concerns financial markets. And with gold prices plunging 15% last month, it almost goes without saying all those SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) owners are now biting their nails, wondering whether the three-year rally has finally run… Read More

You hear it all the time. Save for retirement! Many financial experts — including my favorite, Suze Orman — tell you to contribute to a Roth IRA or traditional IRA outside of your… Read More

A discussion about dividends used to revolve solely around stocks. Not anymore. The evolution of the exchange-traded products business has been a boon to income investors. Dozens of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now fit into the ”Dividend ETF” classification.. Read More

If this article were a movie, then it would be rated “M” for mature. This investment isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you can stomach a little volatility in search of higher yields, then I would be remiss if I didn’t bring your attention to… Read More

Many investors and traders have had their hands up in the during the past few weeks. The market has been whipsawing back and forth with great intensity. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down more than 4.4% during the past month. Aside from a dozen… Read More

Well, that party sure ended with a thud. The spectacular run enjoyed by many energy exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the past year has taken a different turn. Specifically, I’m talking about funds that track oil equities. Part of the move higher was certainly attributable to the… Read More

Investors are well aware of many of the reasons for having gold as part of their portfolio. Lately, these reasons have swirled around macroeconomic concerns — the U.S. debt rating downgrade, possible sovereign defaults in the eurozone and the possibility of more money printing… Read More

Opportunities like this are rare. They only present themselves when investors are scared, and right now they seem terrified. Let me explain… The recent market turmoil has investors ducking for cover — even seasoned pros have been a bit stunned by the violent pullback. Read More