Economists are finally beginning to ask questions. How come the economy isn’t doing better? Why aren’t consumers spending? Why aren’t businesses hiring?

The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) are up nearly 2 percent, in sympathy with higher gold and a pullback in the dollar.

James Mound reviews futures and commodities in his weekly report for the week of August 16.

There are only three ways to get rid of an oil spill. You can mechanically remove it, chemically remove it, or burn it. They used all three methods. But not fast enough. The Obama administration dithered while Rome burned.

Bill Bonner still has little doubt that this market is headed down. Why?

From a near-term perspective, the August advance in the UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ProShares (SCO) has climbed sharply to pierce its May-August down trendline.

Eventually, the Fed probably will get the printing presses going. But not just because it is desperate to re-start the economy.

The Fed is in a trap of its own making. It doesn't really understand what is going on. It thinks there is a problem in the economy caused by consumers who are unwilling to spend.

Mike Paulenoff's chart analytics of the S&P 500 have morphed from a potentially bullish coil or triangle formation.

The Fed has already shot off its monetary ammunition. It has been lending money without asking anything in return for the last two years. What else can it do?