CNBC'sFast Money Commentator Steve Cortes shows how to buck the trend and become a well-informed investor

The public needs to think independently and not be duped, particularly because those who are selling their messages or promoting their ideas have a plethora of powerful media through which to do so.Against the Herd presents six contrarian views of major events that will shape the future. Steve Cortes of CNBC pulls no punches in explaining these trends.

Many will find his views counterintuitive and even controversial. Some will find his forecasts alarming. But open-minded readers who are willing to heed his well-informed advice will find it illuminating, beneficial, and profitable.

Steve Cortes presents six contrarian views of major events that will shape the future for investors including the fall of China and the end of the golden era of free tradeThe contrarian stances are presented because they are actionableReveals how these events will affect global markets and specific investments, and how and when to take advantage of these key moves

Against the Herd shows you how to profit by bucking conventional wisdom and what to do to get ready when situations call for contrarian investing.

STEVE CORTES appears daily on CNBCsFast Money where he is one of several regular commentators. He also appears frequently during Fast Moneys Halftime Report. He is the founder of Veracruz, a consulting firm providing real-time market research to brokers/dealers, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds. His research covers topics ranging from global markets and equity sectors to currencies and fixed income. In addition to trading independently, Cortes provides market consulting services to a number of institutional clients.

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 The Corleones Meet Confucius 7

The Chinese Mirage of Miracle Expansion

Chapter 2 Dolls Are Meant for Children 33

Japan Stares into the Abyss of a Death Spiral

Chapter 3 Cant Touch This 57

Resist the Allure of Gold

Chapter 4 House of Pain 81

Housing Does Not Recover Anytime Soon

Chapter 5 You Cant Handle the Truth, or the Volatility 123

Dont Own Stocks (or at Least Not So Many)

Chapter 6 Still the One 151

Get Long-Term Bullish on America

Conclusion 175

Notes 177

Acknowledgments 185

About the Author 187

Index 189