Feb 15 – FS Insider interviews Axel Merk, President and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments, to discuss how the low-volatility trade finally failed, what this means for traditional risk-parity strategies that leverage...
By Axel Merk – The Fed’s “balance sheet reduction” may have profound implications for the dollar, gold, stocks and bonds. We provide an outlook. It is said forecasts are difficult, especially when they relate to the future. Investors might want to pay...
After an initial surge in the hours after Donald Trump’s election, the price of gold has been under pressure. To gauge what’s ahead for the yellow metal, we dissect the forces that may be at play.
The end of US dollar dominance may be unfolding in front of our eyes. No, we don't think China's ascent is the key threat; instead, key to understanding the US dollar may be to understand the money market fund you might hold.
It ain't working. Eight years after the outbreak of the financial crisis, central bank chiefs suggest they have saved the world but have they done so? We argue central banks have become part of the problem, not the solution.
Is the dollar's seemingly relentless rise in recent years coming to an end? What are the implications not only for the greenback but other currencies and markets around the world? The chart below shows the US dollar index over the past 40...
Mar 11 – Axel Merk, President of Merk Investments, explains why he sold all his stocks and started shorting the market last August (before the double-digit correction) and gives an update on his outlook. He talks about gold, the recent ECB decision...
"The Fed doesn't have a clue!" - I allege that not only because the Fed appears to admit as much (more on that in a bit), but also because my own analysis leads to no other conclusion. With Fed communication in what we believe is...
"Stocks beat gold in the long run!" is a 'rallying cry' to buy stocks we have heard lately that gets me riled up. It’s upsetting to me for two reasons: first, an out of context comparison, in my opinion, misguides investors. It might be...
Dec 3 – In early August, only weeks before stocks plunged by double digits, Axel Merk publicly stated that he had turned bearish on the stock market. In this interview, Axel explains why he thinks we’re at a major peak, what he sees for 2016, and what he’s doing...
While some continue dancing, the music might have already stopped: are we already in a bear market in stocks? In this context, we study past bear markets to see whether gold may serve as a valuable diversifier for what's ahead.
We call on central banks to abolish their zero interest rate policy (ZIRP) framework before more harm is done. In our assessment, ZIRP is bad for all stakeholders and may even lead to war.
Jul 17 – Will the Federal Reserve raise rates this fall, and if so, will the increase make any difference? Jim welcomes Axel Merk, President and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments LLC. Axel discusses the implications for...
May 13 – Jim welcomes back Axel Merk, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments LLC. Axel and Jim discuss Federal Reserve policy, the dollar, gold, Europe and Asia, as well as specific currencies. Axel notes that the US...
In anticipation of higher U.S. rates and lower rates elsewhere, the greenback had enjoyed a dramatic rally. Has the tide turned, or is the dollar merely taking a breather? We believe there are threats and opportunities hidden...
Dec 17 – Jim welcomes back Axel Merk, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments LLC. Axel notes that foreigners have bid up U.S. markets and the dollar this year. He believes turbulence will return to the markets next year with the end of QE by the Fed, and sees potential weakness in both the U.S. markets and the dollar.
Any doubts about why I own gold as an investment were dispelled last Saturday when I met the maestro himself: former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan. It’s not because Greenspan said he thinks the price of gold will rise — I don’t need his investment advice...
Sep 24 – Axel believes Fed Chair Janet Yellen wants interest rates to remain low for the foreseeable future, and will likely be late in raising rates. He sees inflation arriving eventually. They discuss why central banks around the globe are all...
While we are busy arguing whether the Fed’s exit will consist of rising rates, reverse repos or the trimming of its massive portfolio, the Fed may well be fooling all of us. Investors must have been swallowing lots of blue pills not to see the illusion hiding in plain sight.
