Options Update: Market Vector Gold Miners Volatility Flat; Index at Record High on $1,400 Gold originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) have become the new fad for 401k plans and individual investors. Folks have been flocking to the key gold ETFs via SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX), iShares COMEX Gold Trust (IAU) and even the ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (SGOL). In fact, the SPDR Gold Trust would be one of the top five or six central government banks in the world if measured solely in gold holdings.

Anytime you get a hot market, as we can see now with gold, you can bet more investment vehicles pop up to capitalize on the fad. Enter leveraged gold ETFs and ETNs, which add another layer to playing the gold market right now.

Continue reading Out-of-Control Gold Meets Leveraged ETN and ETF Products

Out-of-Control Gold Meets Leveraged ETN and ETF Products originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Options Update: Gold Trends Higher and Oil Trend Lower originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 May 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

HSBC Holdings (HBC) is recently trading at $57.40 in pre-open trading, below its close of $62.07, due the uncertainty of Dubai World; the government investment company sought to delay repayment on much of its debt. HSBC December and January option implied volatility of 29 is below its 26-week average of 36, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Market Vector Gold Miners (GDX) is recently down $2.02 to $50.81 in pre-open trading. Gold is recently down 2.23% to $1162.10. GDX December and January option implied volatility of 43 is below its 26-week average of 49, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: HSBC Holdings volatility low; uncertainty of Dubai exposure originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After seven months of one of the strongest rallies in history, the stock market is showing signs of faltering. From here on out through the rest of 2009, I believe the advance will shift gears, and instead of recording new highs every month, the trend will tend to flatten.

And as we head into the heart of the fourth quarter, I wouldn't bet on the market making many more new highs this year.

Continue reading Six top trades for the rest of 2009

Six top trades for the rest of 2009 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) attempts to replicate as closely as possible the price and yield performance of the Amex Gold Miners Index.

GDX is in a bull market with both the long-term support line and the 200-day moving average at near $40. Although this is a volatile performer, bouncing 10 points between the high and low of its bull channel, the volatility gives us a second chance to buy this stock at a good price.

Continue reading Trade #3: Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX)

Trade #3: Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: When gold starts paying dividends (AIG, NTRI, MOS, TM, GDX)

Closing Bell: When gold starts paying dividends (AIG, NTRI, MOS, TM, GDX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mary Anne and Pamela Aden are among the advisory world's top authorities on metals and resources.

In a recent Q&A session, the editors of The Aden Forecast answer the most common questions that they are asked by readers as to the current state and future outlook for the precious metals markets.

In addition, the sisters answer what they say is the most frequent question they receive: "What is the best way to buy gold." Here, they offer a review of five strategies for investing in gold, including their top picks among stocks, closed-end funds and ETFs.

Continue reading How to invest in gold: Q&A with the Adens

How to invest in gold: Q&A with the Adens originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 26 years, at the start of each year, I've conducted an annual survey of newsletter advisors, asking for their favorite investment for the coming year. Until 2 or 3 years ago, their responses were almost always individual stocks and an occasional mutual fund.

Increasingly in recent years, many advisors have found their favorite positions to be exchange traded funds, whereby they can invest in a sector, region, or strategy without the inherent risk of an individual company. Indeed, in this year survey of 75 advisors, fully 1 out of 5 advisors chose ETFs.

ETFs were a popular choice for those seeking global exposure. Mark Salzinger, editor of The Investor's ETF Report, selects the S&P China SPDR (NYSE: GXC) as his favored play. (Read the full article here.)

Nick Vardy sees opportunity in China, but also sees potential in a broader range of emerging global markets. The editor of Global Stock Investor looks to the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (ASE: EEM) as his top idea for 2009. (Read the full article here.)

Carl Delfeld of Chartwell Advisors also wants to own a basket of emerging markets stocks, but only small caps. His pick is the WisdomTree Emerging Market Small Cap (NYSE: DGS). (Read the full article here.)

Jim Lowell takes a similar view -- chosing global small caps -- but adds a further restriction. His recommended ETF limits its holdings to dividend paying stocks. Hence, the top pick in his Marketwatch ETF Trader is the WisdomTree International Small Cap Dividend (NYSE: DLS). (Read the full article here.)

ETFs an also be used to play a specific sector, such as consumer stocks. Leonard Goodall sees upside in companies making the "basics" such as soda, toothpaste and soap. In his No-Load Fund Investor, his top way to play this trend is the Consumer Staples ETF (NYSE: XLP). (Read the full article here.)

In addition to using ETFs to invest in a region, country or sector, these vehicles can also be used to invest in a certain strategy. For example, Tom Bishop, editor of BI Research, chooses the PowerShares Value Line Industry Rotation ETF (NYSE: PYH), which rotates its holdings to only include stocks that earn Value Line's top investment rating. (Read the full article here.)

Doug Fabian, editor of Successful Investing, looks to PowerShares DB Crude (NYSE: DXO), an exchange-traded note. While this leveraged position goes up twice as much as the underlying index when it rises, it also goes down twice as much when the index declines. (Read the full article here.)

Paul Tracy, editor of StreetAuthority Market Advisor takes a similar approach, but rather than speculate on the price of oil and gas, he looks to ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas (NYSE: DIG), which invests in a basket of stocks operating within these sectors. (Read the full article here.)

The most popular choice in this year's survey was ETFs investing in gold. Both Vivian Lewis, editor of Global Investing, recommends the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD); it's price reflects 1/10th of an ounce of gold. (Read the full article here.)

Mary Anne Aden, editor of The Aden Forecast, also selects the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) as her top investment ideas for the coming year. (Read the full article here.)

Mark Leibovit, market timer and editor of VRTrader, holds a long-term bullish view on gold and opts for upside leverage. His top pick is the PowerShares DB Gold Double Long (NYSE: DGP). (Read the full article here.)

Pamela Aden, co-editor for The Aden Forecast, also sees upside potential in gold but prefers to invest in the companies that mine for the precious metal. Her top pick is the Market Vectors Gold Miners (NYSE: GDX). (Read the full article here.)

For greater leverage (and higher risk), Steve Rawls, editor of Tipping Point Stocks, suggests the ProShares Ultra Gold (NYSE: UGL), which moves twice the rate of the underlying London gold price. (Read the full article here.)

Mike Larson, editor of Money & Markets, sees downside risk in financial stocks. But rather than try and select which stock might fall, he opts for a basket of financial players with the ProShares Trust Short Financials (NYSE: SEF). As an "inverse" fund, this moves in the opposite direction of the underlying index. (Read the full article here.)

And for even higher risk and volatility, Michael Shulman, editor of ChangeWave Shorts, looks to the ProShares UltraShort Financials (NYSE: SKF), an inverse double fund. Not only does it move in the opposite direction of financial stocks, but it moves twice as much. (Read the full article here.)

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

15 favorite ETFs for 2009 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

Pamela Aden, in her industry-leading The Aden Forecast expects a rebound for gold-mining stocks. What's her favorite way to play this sector? Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX).

"Most markets fell sharply in 2008 as the financial crisis intensified. Gold shares were especially hard hit as gold and the stock market both declined, increasing the downward pressure on these stocks.

"Currently, all of these markets are bombed out and extremely oversold. This means that stocks and gold are poised to move higher, and gold stocks will indeed benefit on both counts.

"Demand for physical gold has been incredibly strong in the last quarter as prices fell during the credit crisis squeeze. You'll remember that gold, like most assets, was sold during the deleveraging when selling was rampant.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX)

Top Stock Picks '09: Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"There's no question these are dangerous times and the financial world is in uncharted waters," caution resource experts Mary Anne and Pamela Aden.

In The Aden Forecast, the sisters offer an exceptional in-depth discussion on inflationary vs. deflationary foreces, their outlook for precious metals, and their top gold and silver positions for long-term investors.

"The global financial system is on very thin ice, teetering on collapse. Global central banks clearly are literally pulling out all the stops to revive lending and the world economy.

"Will these efforts work? Will they be enough? Those are the most important unanswered questions of the day and only time will tell, but we should know much more in the critical month or so ahead. Why?

"The Fed is spending money at an astronomical rate. It's creating this money out of thin air by monetizing bad debts and whatever else it has to. Remember, this is on top of all the other ongoing government expenses and it's extremely inflationary.

"Normally, there is a lag of about a year or so between money creation and inflation but eventually, what's recently happened will result in massive inflation, a much lower U.S. dollar and a soaring gold price.

"The bottom line is this, if the banks start to lend again, then the economy will be on the road to recovery and inflation. But we know the banks are scared and they're being extremely cautious, for good reason.

Continue reading Deflation or hyper-inflation? Gold or bonds?

Deflation or hyper-inflation? Gold or bonds? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The price of gold and other precious metals has been rallying sharply, helped by a falling dollar, worries about rising inflation and concerns over the health of the global financial system. So far this year, the yellow metal is up around 20%.

Gold mining shares have not fared as well. They have been held back by broad-based weakness in equity markets and the prospect that higher costs for energy and other commodities could cut into those companies' operating profits.

Since the value of the ratio of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (AMEX: GDX) to the streetTRACKS Gold Shares ETF (AMEX: GLD) hit a peak on October 31st, the yellow metal has outpaced the basket of mining shares by almost 20 percentage points.

Continue reading Gold: play the shares, not the metal?

Gold: play the shares, not the metal? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mining stocks don't always march in lockstep with the price of gold. Among other things, the shares can be affected by money flowing into and out of the overall equity market, as well as changes in company or sector operating fundamentals and investor outlooks.

That said, the shares and the precious metal do tend to loosely track one another; historically, at least, the relationship between the two tends not to move too far out of line. When it happens, however, it can signal a short-term trading opportunity.

Over the past few weeks, mining shares have come under considerable pressure in relation to the metal. In fact, the ratio of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Index (XAU) to spot gold has fallen to a level that has, in recent years at least, been a staging point for a relative rebound in the shares.

While it is possible that continuing turbulence in equity markets could produce a different result this time around, the pattern of the past five years suggests it is a good time to go long the shares and sell (or sell-short) the metal.

One way to play it using exchange-traded funds: buy the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (AMEX: GDX) and sell the streetTRACKS Gold Trust ETF (AMEX: GLD).

Michael Panzner is a 25-year veteran of the global stock, bond, and currency markets and the author of Financial Armageddon: Protecting Your Future from Four Impending Catastrophes and The New Laws of the Stock Market Jungle.

Mining shares: Back in the buy zone relative to gold originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analysts: Gold is gold for 2008 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Over the last six weeks, the Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index ("XAU") has lost an eye-popping 16.2% while spot gold has slipped by 2.7%.

The last time the XAU fared as poorly relative to the price of the yellow metal was in August, after which the shares staged a notable rebound.

Indeed, with the benchmark index of precious metals mining shares nearing short-term technical support, the stage seems set for a replay of that summer reversal of fortunes.

Depending on your risk profile, it could be a good time to buy mining shares -- or, perhaps, the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (AMEX: GDX) -- and sell (or sell short) the underlying metal -- or a substitute such as the streetTRACKS Gold Trust ETF (AMEX: GLD).

Michael Panzner is a 25-year veteran of the global stock, bond, and currency markets and the author of Financial Armageddon: Protecting Your Future from Four Impending Catastrophes and The New Laws of the Stock Market Jungle.

Gold mining shares looking for a rebound originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This article is part of a 20 article special report on "Metals, miners and money".

"Gold is a beneficiary of lower interest rates," says Daniel Frishberg, host of BizRadio and editor of The MoneyMan Gold & Oil Report.

He explains, "Gold has closed at his highest level in three decades. The precious metals market senses inflation is higher and economic growth slower than the official government numbers.

"With the price of oil at a record high and food inflation in a double digit zooming up, government statisticians will have us believe third quarter inflation was only 0.8%, the lowest level in 40 years.

"The gold market is not buying the government numbers. Regardless of what Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke says about containing inflationary pressures or what Treasury Secretary Paulson says about supporting a strong dollar policy, the U.S. dollar is being sacrificed to save the banking industry and prevent an economic slowdown and/or housing market collapse or even a recession.

Continue reading Top resource ideas: Frishberg's favorites in precious metals

Top resource ideas: Frishberg's favorites in precious metals originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.