Big Picture

This week Jim and Cathlyn discuss the situation of investors who would like to diversify an over-allocation in metals, but are waiting for the market to “recover” before they make any changes. Jim uses the case study of Thomas Leaderman to illustrate the costs of waiting for “the right time”. Jim’s guest this week is best-selling author Robb Wolf, author of “The Paleo Solution- The Original Human Diet”. Robb, a former research biochemist, has transformed the lives of people around the world via his podcast, books and seminars.

Ryan Puplava does double duty this week, giving his technical analysis on the markets as well as his weekly Market Wrap-up. Technically, Ryan sees a cyclical rotation of stocks into what he refers to as The Taper Trade, and out of more defensive stocks such as health care and utilities. Ryan is bullish on energy and copper as they are tied to more robust economic activity. Ryan also discusses bonds, gold and currencies. In addition, Erik Townsend looks at Commodities and Rob Bernard has the Fixed Income Report.

The first Big Picture topic this week is “Game of Thrones - the Dollar vs. Gold”. Jim looks at the massive global currency debasement among central banks, and in that current game the dollar is king. Gold is in the background and not a major player. Jim believes this will not last, but for now the dollar is winning the game. The next topic, “Forget a QE Exit Plan, Serial Money Printing is the Wave of the Future”, Jim notes that 14 central banks around the world have cut interest rates, and are printing money with no exit strategy in sight. He notes that the next Fed Chairperson, widely assumed to be Janet Yellen, will make Ben Bernanke look conservative when it comes to money printing.

In this segment of the Big Picture, Jim looks at how the price of oil has affected the economy and growth over the past three years, and how his concept of the Petro Business Cycle looks like it will be the “New Normal” in the years ahead. He also references recent interviews with oil experts Dr. Robert Hirsch and Dr. Oliver Inderwildi who concurred with his analysis on the Petro Business Cycle. Jim also answers your Q-calls in this segment of the program.

This week Jim and Cathlyn discuss the dilemma of those sitting on the sideline in cash. When is the right time to make a move? They illustrate the issue by discussing the case study of a retired couple, David and Michelle, who are unhappy with the meager returns on cash and CDs, but have not been ready to make a move into the market. Jim lays out a strategy to boost their income, but warns that time may be running short for income investors. This week’s guest is Peter Bell, president & CEO of the National Reverse Mortgage Association.

Jim welcomes back Shelley D Moen CMT, Senior Market Strategist at Vermilion Technical Research, LLC. Shelley tells Jim that this is the best she has felt about the market since the bottom in 2002. She notes the Dow Theory buy signal, and believes this market has room to move higher. Shelley mentions that the Technology, Energy and Industrial sectors are all undervalued and very attractive at current levels. Also in this segment, Ryan Puplava has this week’s Market Wrap-up, Erik Townsend discusses commodities, and Rob Bernard has the Fixed Income Report.

In this week’s first topic on the Big Picture, Jim looks at the global problem of low interest rates for investors, and how difficult it is for those who need interst income to survive. Jim sees time running out in that any significant yield in the future will come with higher risk. Jim disucsses what a yield-starved investor should do. In the next Big Picture topic, which relates to the first topic, Jim lays out the case that dividend-paying stocks are still the best game in town. Jim also looks at specfic sectors within the dividend stock universe and explains why these blue-chip dividend plays are the best alternative in the current environment. Jim also answers your Q-Calls in this segement of the program.

This week on the Lifetime Income Series, Jim and Cathlyn discuss the very important topic of compound interest, once famously called “the eighth wonder of the world” by Albert Einstein. Jim and Cathlyn offer examples to explain the concept and why it is so important to start early, invest wisely and stay disciplined. The special guest this week is Veronica Dagher, a columnist at Dow Jones Company and The Wall Street Journal. Veronica discusses the mistakes people make with their 401-k’s and how to avoid them.

Jim is pleased to welcome back technician Stan Weinstein, editor and publisher of the "Global Trend Alert," a financial advisory service for institutional investors. Stan sees the possibility of a short-term correction, but believes the current rally has more legs, given that the S&P closed above 1600 on Friday. Stan is still clearly bullish in his outlook, and also notes the rapid sector rotations. If we get a correction, he believes it will be a controlled correction. Stan is neutral on bonds, and negative on gold, at least for the next few months. Also in this segment, Chris Puplava gives his macro outlook for the second half of this year, Erik Townsend looks at commodities, and Rob Bernard has the Fixed Income Report.

In the first Big Picture topic this week, Jim looks at the next stock market rotation. He believes it will focus on the energy, technology and materials sectors, all of which are currently unloved, unappreciated and undervalued. The next topic will be the monthly conversation, On The Record, where John asks Jim questions of timely and topical importance. Some of the topics covered include why Jim is optimistic on stocks, why you don’t want to store your bullion at a Wall Street bank, what distinguishes Jim’s practice from others in the industry, and why QE will end badly.

In this Big Picture segment Jim looks at the mechanics of inflation, and why stock prices are likely headed higher as a result. Jim notes that historically, every monetary inflation begins with a rise in stock prices. Jim also answers your Q-Calls in this segment of the Financial Sense Newshour.

This week Jim and Cathlyn discuss smarter retirement investing, relying less on cookie-cutter approaches and old allocation models for retirement. They discuss common mistakes and misguidance, as well as custom solutions in lieu of the cookie-cutter approach. The guest this week is attorney Gregory French, who will discuss legal issues and financial planning for long-term care, hospice, and VA benefits.

Jim welcomes back noted technician Tom McClellan of The McClellan Market Report. Tom sees some near-term problems in the markets through the summer, but is optimistic long-term on the stock market for the balance of the decade. Tom sees gold cycling up, and notes that junior gold stocks are widely disliked, and thus present a great opportunity. Also, Ryan Puplava has the Market Wrap-up this week, Erik Townsend discusses commodities, and Rob Bernard looks at the fixed income market. (Click here for charts)

In this week’s first Big Picture topic, Jim sees another soft patch ahead for the economy, as the Leading Economic Indicators are starting to roll over, anticipating a slowdown ahead. In his next topic, “Another Government Manufactured Crisis” Jim looks at the Air Traffic Controller mess that the FAA claims is a result of Sequestration. As is frequently the case in governmental actions, common sense seems to be in short supply. Jim also answers your Q-Calls in this segment of the program.

Jim welcomes renowned geologist Keith Barron, PhD to the program. Keith was co-founder of Ecuadorian gold explorer Aurelian Resources Inc. and made the colossal Fruta del Norte gold discovery in 2006. Keith is currently founder and Exploration Geologist at U308 Corp. Keith and Jim discuss the new “gold stock paradigm” that is emerging, where companies are becoming more investor-friendly, relying less on the old “acquisition of ounces” model, and more on increasing shareholder value through cost controls, and emphasis on quality over quantity.

This week Jim and Cathlyn use the case study of Joe and Irene Turner to illustrate several issues facing today’s retirees. These issues include Long Term Care and medical expenses, fear of the financial markets, inflation, the difficulty of maintaining quality of life in a 0% interest rate environment and reconciling budgets versus sources of income. The guest this week is Dr. Bonnie Olsen of the National Center on Elder Abuse at UC Irvine. Dr. Olsen discusses financial fraud and abuse on the elderly and how to avoid it. 

Jim is pleased to welcome back legendary technician Ralph Acampora, Director of Tactical Investments at Altaira Wealth Management. Ralph sees the market in a corrective mode, which could last a month or so. He notes divergences in the Transports and the DAX. He sees the US and Japan as the best places to invest, and believes the secular bull is still in the early stages. However, Ralph sees the bond bull-market in the 9^th inning of its long 30 year run. Also in this segment, Ryan Puplava wraps up this week in the markets, Erik Townsend discusses gold and commodities, and Rob Bernard looks at bonds and interest rates in the Fixed Income Report.

In this segment of the Big Picture, Jim looks at two stock related topics. In “Drop, Pop and a Melt-up in the Stock Market”, Jim discusses the idea that the next stock market melt-up will be caused by the flight of global capital coming into the US from both Asia and Europe. In the next topic, “The Dividend Story keeps getting Better, Better and Better”, Jim looks at the reasons why to own dividend-paying equities, and the trend of growing dividend pay-outs in the first quarter of 2013. Jim will also answer your Q-Calls in this segment of the program.

In this segment of the Big Picture Jim looks at the large decline in gold and silver, and gets into the reasons behind the carnage, as well as the huge difference between “physical gold & silver” and “paper gold & silver”.  Jim notes that investors should know why they own gold, understand it, and then leave it alone. Also, Kathy Derbes CFA, and CEO of KDerbes Precious Metals LLC, joins Jim in this segment. She notes the current record buying of physical precious metals, last seen during the Lehman crisis, and says her firm is “completely out” of Silver Eagles. Kathy is not even taking orders for more Eagles, as it may take six to eight weeks or more to acquire them.

In this week’s edition Jim and Cathlyn discuss the function of bonds in a portfolio, and how to evaluate them. They go over bond basics such as maturity date, coupon yield and current yield, as well as identifying the main bond risks. Jim explains the primary functions of a bond in a portfolio allocation, as well as how to assess the performance of bonds within a portfolio. They also reiterate the important difference between a bond and a bond fund. The guest this week is Tom Collett, Senior Attorney at Standard Retirement Services, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tom will discuss tax-efficient business planning.