Investors who can see how the markets are changing have a definite advantage over those who don't. That's why smart investors listen to experts like Peter Grandich, whose insight provides a "crystal ball" to give investors more information. Not just a perma-bull or perma-bear Peter Grandich’s opinion is influenced by current economic conditions.

Peter Grandich, a well-known and much-respected commentator on the market and the economy, has shared a lot of his insights with us. We spoke to him as he was getting ready for the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference. He told us what he was going to cover at the show and gave us insight into some immediate opportunities.

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference

We asked him what we will be speaking about at the conference. He outlined three key points – markets and opportunities, Middle East conflict, and debt. Of markets and opportunities, he said: "I will go over different markets. I will discuss why there is no longer any real value in the US general equity market (not including metals-related investments), and that I'd rather look elsewhere like Germany, Japan, and China."

And, for investors wondering what global events will impact the market, he said: "I'm going to talk about something that's not on a lot of people's radar anymore but could be overnight. That's a very serious conflict in the Middle East, specifically what's taking place in Lebanon. Very shortly, we could be talking about a very serious conflict in the Middle East."

Also, he'll talk about the impact of debt: "I will talk about why there is a day of reckoning in the bond market and that America has lived beyond its means. And the ability to kick the can further down the road by those in Washington is coming to an end. That day of reckoning could come faster and sooner. The only way the American debt problem is going to be solved will be in three ways: First, to monetize some of the debt; second, to restructure the debt; and third, to renege on some of the debt. That's coming down the road, so I'm not in the camp of those who believe there will be a metals-backed currency.

Other  Opportunities In the Near Future

Biggest on everyone's mind is gold: "The mother of all gold and precious metals markets continues," he said. "It has and will continue to run over all of the bears and the people who call for a bubble or a top, as it has for several years."

We asked him why we felt it would continue. He told us: "The reason I'm confident that the gold market will hit $2,000 is because the three drivers that have been leading it for several years now have not shown any change: One, central banks are no longer net sellers, in fact a select group are buying. Two, the producers who used to sell forward gold and therefore assisted in putting a cap on the price [aren't any longer]. Three, and the most important factor overall and why we see such a large-scale pick-up in investor demand, is that people around the world are finding that there is no major currency to take safety in. The re-inflation process that so many central banks around the world have created is going to lead to inflation. Gold is a much better asset to have during that inflation than any paper currency."

So, if gold will continue to climb, what should investors do? "People should continue to own gold bullion (and even silver bullion)," said Mr. Grandich. "And, when we say 'precious metals', we shouldn't forget that there are two others – platinum and palladium. They have appreciated to a level where I think they are fairly pricey, but they should still be looked at. Once you've done that, and you can then identify risk-oriented capital (or speculative capital) then you can look at mining shares and junior resource stocks."

That led us to our next question, what opportunities Mr. Grandich saw in the metals marketplace. "One that is on everybody's mind is the blossoming Yukon Gold Rush, and I think round two (this year) will be bigger and better. Those who had a head start from last year will have a distinct edge. Disclaimer: I own shares in a company that is a client of mine, called Silver Quest Resources (TSX-V: SQI). I think the rush there is real and there are several major deposits to be found and I expect a lot of excitement to start long before the drilling does in the spring."

"The other area that's starting to appear on the map is the copper plays in Arizona," added Mr. Grandich. "A lot of people don't think of the United States for mining anymore, except for uranium. Because of its price, copper has really picked up interest. In particular, a new way of mining copper is in-situ mining. Two clients of mine (I own shares in both of them) are Curis Resources Ltd (TSX-V: ICC) and Excelsior Mining (TSX-V: MIN). Both are developing copper mines in Arizona. Both have the potential to be near-term producers."

Then he turned his attention to a third opportunity for investors – uranium. "Uranium plays have had some nice profit-taking but I think there are some opportunities still left. Even here in the US, right in Wyoming, there are two permits received to go into uranium production. There are electric companies that are proposing new nuclear plants, which as little as ten years ago, people couldn't fathom in the United States. That market is moving in the right direction; I don't think it will go to $200 but we should see it go to $100."

Investors who can see into the future have a distinct advantage over those who don't bother to look. And the way that investors can see into the future is with the help of Mr. Grandich's insight. Between Yukon gold, American copper, and the growth of uranium for energy, investors have a lot of exciting things to think about. Come to the conference and hear Mr. Grandich share even more insight!

REFERENCES

Peter Grandich's site: http://www.grandich.com/

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference: http://cambridgehouse.com/conference-details/vancouver-resource-investment-conference-2011/15

Silver Quest Resources: http://www.silverquest.ca/s/Home.asp

Curis Resources: http://www.curisresources.com/s/Home.asp

Excelsior Mining: http://www.excelsiormining.com/