I forgot to add my extra bit of 'conspiracy' nonsense. I am totally convinced that 'the message' about investing in PM or JPM stocks handed down from on high has been existent for many years. From the U.S. to Canada via the big banks to brokers, investment advisers, etc., I suspect there has been a tacit directive from corporate head office to managment down, 'do not invest/encourage clients into the very risky PM mining sector, or even gold or silver'.

I have known many in the business over the years and it always amazed just how adamant they were about the above. In many cases it was very risky to go against 'company logic'. Of course, I never agreed and never really understood why. At one large Canadian bank several years ago, a relative had to sign an agreement absolving the bank from any direction with respect to investing in their own precious metals fund. Seems this was just standard practice.

In another instance I was asked not to discuss 'gold' or investing in it with the investment advisers of a very large Canadian investment co. One successful 'adviser' actually arranged for me to meet him out of the office so he could discuss it with me. It never sunk in.Why? Duh! In other words, they knew what was coming and warned me. They themselves didn't know why, they just knew it was not the way to go. It all makes sense in retrospect. The word was out as long ago as 2000.

All of this is just my wild imagination of course., someone who would rather read the 'experts' than listen to 'good advice'.