Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in farmhouses. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
Gold Prices Rally As U.S. Dollar Index Slumps
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Reader A.D. sent this from economic pundit Egon von Greyerz: 11,000 KG Gold for a Painting – Will Cost 110 KG in 2025
Stock Markets:
The U.S. Stock Market was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. But here is some news on overseas markets, at Bloomberg: Euro STOXX 50.
Commodities:
SII: Commodities – Electric Vehicles – Cobalt Squeeze
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Commodity Daily Fundamental Report – November 23 2017 : Sushil Finance
Forex:
Economy and Finance:
Ireland is not a tax haven, Leo Varadkar says
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Zimbabwe coup latest updates: Robert Mugabe RESIGNS – Nation celebrates tyrant’s downfall. The key questions: Will some of the the disposessed farmers return and will the economy recover?
Troubling Trends:
‘Death spiral’: 4,000% inflation in Venezuela. Their currency has lost 96% of its buying power in 2017.
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From the BBC: Budget 2017: Stagnant earnings forecast ‘astonishing’
Tangibles Investing (Farmhouses):
Even the Yuppies are catching on: The new alternative investing: a restored farmhouse in Tuscany. (JWR’s Comment: Although I would invest in a farm that is much closer to home! Buying a farmhouse that sits on at least 5 acres of good arable land could make it a viable retreat.)
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. So please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who particularly watch individual markets. And due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” investing news. We often “get the scoop” on economic and investing news that is probably ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Stackable Silver Rounds?
Today, I just happened to notice this new option for Silver Rounds and wondering what others think about them? Round coin vs. stackable chip? Is it worth paying a little extra for?
https://www.jmbullion.com/search/?q=stackable+silver+rounds#
Buy silver at the lowest premium possible, with the thought that they may be dropped into a pot for melting. If you need help with this idea, visit a “Pick-a-Part” junk yard a few days before shopping for a different car.
The exception to this is sovereign coin that can be used to pay taxes with. These may be worth having at a higher premium as “the King’s Money” which should be valued correctly if the law has any power. Pre-1965 90% silver coinage is sometimes available at a very low premium to “spot”, recently thirteen cents over spot (1oz of actual silver weight) vs. ~$1.20 to get a generic “round” ounce of .999 silver or $2.50 over spot to get a 1oz ASE.
Stackable rounds still need tubes, but you might get an extra one or 2 in each tube.
The nice thing about pre 65 junk silver is you could use it for everyday purchases unlike gold. Spread out what you get between dimes, quarters, and halves.
I find it easy to conceive of a near to mid term time when paper and electronic bond funds and equities and funds will be exposed as the Emperor wearing no clothes. It could all go to zero but more likely just plummet fifty percent in a year or three quarters. There is oversupply of all manufactured goods and hyper competition to sell anything at profit. The big industrial economies seem to be pyramid schemes and Ponzi schemes. The whole place globally resembles a house of cards.