1. For Financial Advisors, U.S. Energy Independence Could Mean Radically Different Financial Planning And Investing Assumptions In The Next Few Years
(Matching tags: global investing,asset management,alternative investments,economy,U.S. economy,commodities)

The U.S. energy scenario that is currently playing out could be the best development for the American economy in many years, and advisors will need to watch the trend closely.   “The ...

2. Natural Gas And Crude Oil Prices At Widest Spread Since Early 2009
(Matching tags: commodities,investing,oil)

... since prices for the two commodities tend to move in tandem.  ...

3. Commodities Futures Are On The Rise Again Amid Optimism Over U.S., Global Economies
(Matching tags: commodities,Goldman Sachs,Economic Outlook)

Contracts for net-long commodities futures hit the 1 million mark for the first time in five months Feb. 21, and Goldman Sachs forecast continued rising prices for commodities.  ...

4. Lawyers Sound Warning On Commodity ETFs And Commodity-Registered Advisors
(Matching tags: commodities)

  As the Commodity Futures Trading Commission "harmonizes" its regulations with the SEC, lawyers warn that CFTC advisors and those who simply work with CFTC products should be on their ...

5. More Hedge Funds Are Betting That Commodity Prices Are Going To Start Rising Again
(Matching tags: Economic Outlook,commodities)

More money managers believe commodity prices are going to rise on strengthening U.S. demand.

6. 5 New ETFs Focus On Stocks Related To Production And Sale Of Specific Commodities
(Matching tags: commodities,ETFs,world economy)

iShares unveiled five new exchange-traded funds this week that offer exposure to commodity-related stocks.

7. The Long-Term Commodities Rally Lost Ground In 2011 As Contracts Shrank By Most In 12 Years
(Matching tags: commodities,emerging markets,China,European zone,world economy)

The number of contracts on 13 key commodities fell an average 19% last year, the biggest rush to the exits since 2000.  ...

8. Commodities Set For First Annual Loss In Three Years As Demand Cools
(Matching tags: commodities,China,European zone,world economy)

Declines in cotton, copper and cocoa have led commodities to a losing finish so far this year.  ...

9. Gold Plunges On Recession Fears, Surging Dollar: How Low Will It Go?
(Matching tags: gold,commodities,European zone,euro)

The price of gold hit a five-month low and broke its 200-day moving average this week.

10. Eight In 10 Advisors Use Alternatives But Only One In Three Clients Are Interested
(Matching tags: risk,alternative investments,diversification,emerging markets,commodities,investor behavior)

Alternative investments have gained widespread acceptance by financial advisors, most of whom use them to manage risk and diversify portfolios rather than seek higher returns.

11. Boost The Diversification Benefits Of Commodities Despite Higher Correlation With Equities
(Matching tags: commodities,diversification,stocks)

Commodities continue to provide portfolio diversification, and correlations should move closer to historical levels over the long term.  ...

12. Soaring Demand For Water Worldwide Makes It A Promising Commodity For Investors
(Matching tags: water,commodities,world economy)

Water use is growing at more than twice the rate of population increase, according to the World Resources Institute.

13. A New World Order: How Investors Must Respond To The Seismic Shift In The Global Economy
(Matching tags: emerging markets,diversification,commodities,world economy,U.S. economy)

Advisors and investors need to abandon the idea that the markets will eventually return to “normal” following the economic crisis of 2008. Instead, it’s time to adjust to a new world ...

14. Most Advisors Plan To Increase Use Of Alternative Investments Next Year
(Matching tags: alternative investments,commodities,real estate,diversification)

Six out of 10 advisors intend to build more alternative investments into their client portfolio allocations in 2012.

15. Long-Term Investors With Exposure To Commodities Face Challenge From Innovation
(Matching tags: alternative investments,commodities)

Rising prices in the raw materials sector have made commodities a popular choice for investors seeking yield, but long-term investors need to be aware of pitfalls.  ...

16. Hedge Funds Slash Investments In Commodities Amid Concern Over Global Slowdown
(Matching tags: commodities,world economy,agriculture)

The long run of bullish bets on commodities suffered a setback last week as speculators cut their net-long positions in 18 commodities by 5.2%.  ...

17. Emerging Markets Pioneer Calls A Bottom And Predicts Global Markets Will Begin To Rise
(Matching tags: stocks,world economy,U.S. economy,commodities,emerging markets)

Global stock markets are poised to head upward as inflation accelerates and the European debt crisis moves toward a resolution, a well-known industry leader says.

18. Spike In Demand From China Sends Corn Prices Soaring
(Matching tags: commodities,agriculture,China)

Corn prices jumped another 1% Tuesday and have nearly doubled over the past year, largely due to exports to China.

19. Commodities Lose Year-To-Date Gains As Market Plunge Hits Wide Range of Assets
(Matching tags: commodities,currency,U.S. economy,world economy,yen)

Slowing global demand is softening demand for industrial commodities and also sending investors into potentially safer alternatives such as Treasuries, the Swiss franc and the yen.  ...

20. Long-Short Strategy Offers Flexibility When Adding Commodities To A Portfolio
(Matching tags: commodities,world economy,alternative investments,diversification)

As more advisors look to the commodities market to seek returns that are not correlated with the equities markets, the industry is evolving from alternative assets to alternative strategies.  ...