As governments across the globe have adopted looser monetary and fiscal policies, investors alarmed at the prospect of higher price inflation have been asking us whether it would be wise to turn to the reputed “safe haven” of Swiss franc denominated assets or by investing more heavily in gold. AIER contends that consumer price inflation […]

In a fiat currency monetary regime, capital markets are impacted immediately by any significant information suggesting the future actions of central bankers. World markets are especially sensitive to any news from the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) regarding sentiments pertaining to its targeted federal funds rate (the interest rate at which banks

In mid-March yields on the sovereign debt of several euro zone nations turned negative. The notion of investors accepting negative interest rates may seem bizarre, but it is not necessarily irrational. Readers should not be alarmed or change their strategy should negative nominal rates persist overseas or emerge in the U.S. But it is important

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index lost 9.9 percent of its value year-to-date as of August 31. The so-called BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) have led the way down, as the MSCI BRIC Index lost 12.2 percent. The year thus far has been marked by social unrest in Brazil, chronic political corruption in Russia, a

We have completed an extensive review of data pertaining to gold and our recommended gold mining stocks. In light of alternative investment vehicles that are available we have concluded that these shares no longer provide the optimal means of ensuring exposure to the gold price. Investors should sell their gold mining shares and reinvest the

The investment industry is quick to tout investment products based on the latest research. Firms are under intense pressure to quickly bring compelling new products to market. Eye-catching results that appear to break new ground tend to get attention, while less spectacular but often very important findings get ignored. These distorted incentives exist not only

Lowell Harriss, the late great economist and former Chairman of the AIER Board of Trustees was known as much for his humility as for his knowledgeof economics. At a recent event commemorating his mentor’s life, author and financial commentator Ben Stein recalled that in his lectures Professor Harrisswas never reluctant to admit that with regard

Five years ago this month the Federal Reserve embarked upon a quantitative easing (QE) policy in an effort to bolster an economy that was on the ropes. Though it is difficult to measure QE’s contribution to growth it is clear that QE has created winners and losers among investors. QE is a technique distinct from

As 2013 draws to a close most of our recommended asset classes are poised to deliver full-year returns worth celebrating. At the risk of spoiling the party, however, we’ll take a more constructive approach and instead address head-on those concerns that might nevertheless be on the minds of our readers. Gold in particular is worth

Discipline, once again, was the watchword during 2011. Throughout the year worrisome news emerged from all around the globe. Yet, by year end most investors who followed our recommendations would have seen little change in the value of their portfolios (see our AIS Model Portfolios table on page 2 for hypothetical returns). • I will