One Of The Most Important Financial Tools For 2009…

The costs of the ongoing credit crisis have been well chronicled. But there’s a bright spot, too.

In a crushing blow to lobbyists, bankers, and loan intermediaries, the credit crisis and the accompanying collapse of the securitization market may actually force a top-to-bottom overhaul of this country’s much-maligned student loan system.

If that happens, prospective student borrowers may no longer have to face a lifetime of indentured financial servitude, and the U.S. higher education system may finally get a long-overdue makeover.

When it comes to the ongoing financial crisis – of which the frozen credit markets are a primary casualty – one of…

Why trust Paulson and Bernanke to run an insurance company

New York Times 9/17/08

The central bank has also transformed itself almost overnight into the Fed Inc. by essentially taking over American International Group after already taking on hundreds of billions of dollars in mortgage securities to help ailing financial institutions.

Instead of just setting monetary policy in its Ivory Tower-like setting, the Fed now must wear several hats — that of insurance conglomerate, investment banker and even hedge fund manager.

“This is unique, and the Fed has never done something like this before,” said Allan Meltzer, a professor of economics at Carnegie-Mellon University and author of a sweeping history of the…

Lovable, Moronic Capitalists

We’re still here, listening to presentations by various financial analysts…trying to make sense out of things…and reporting to you directly from the floor of the Vancouver investing conference.

Up on stage, our old friend Paul van Eeden is explaining why the price of gold may be overpriced.

“Gold is money,” says Paul, “and almost only money.” So, you can forget supply and demand. To figure out what the price of gold should be, simply look at what it will buy, in comparison to other currencies. The only time gold leaves its “theoretical value” – as measured by what it will buy –…

The U.S. Economy’s Uncertainty Brings Opportunity for Investors in the Months to Come

With a wheezing economy that’s struggling with housing and credit problems – as well as a weak dollar – it’s clear the United States won’t be in the investment spotlight this year.

But don’t despair. Because a trend that has long been talked about – economic decoupling – is finally starting to manifest itself as other world economies, particularly the so-called “BRIC” markets of Brazil, Russia, China and India, have continued to grow even as the U.S. economy has slowed. That means profit opportunities abound for U.S. investors, despite myriad messes on the home front that include a collapsed housing market,…