In these immensely turbulent financial markets, the two words risk and control are probably being used together more than any other combination! If risk had been controlled with more discipline through the financial systems of the world, the consequences of excess would have been a whole lot more palatable...

2007 proved to be a seminal year for the gold market in China. National consumption and production of the yellow metal reached record levels. The final decision on the establishment of gold futures was made, paving the way for the historic January 9, 2008 launch on the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

The trade balance is a measure of the difference between imports and exports of tangible goods and services. The level of the trade balance and changes in exports and imports are widely followed by foreign exchange markets.

There are three indexes of economic indicators that are constructed by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and used to forecast the performance of the business cycle. (1) The index of leading economic indicators, (2) The index of roughly coincident indicators, and (3) The index of lagging indicators. All three indexes are applied in comparison to the GNP.

Ever wonder what CPI and PPI have to do with anything? This quick primer on these fundamental indexes will bring you up to speed.