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 rare postage stamps.
Precious Metals:
First off, there is this, over at the great Alt-Market site: What The Falling Dollar Means For Gold Prices In 2018
Stock Markets:
Equity Euphoria Grips the Entire World. JWR’s Comments: Don’t expect to make any money by jumping in to the markets while they are in the current state of frenzy. This is the stage where you should take your profits and exit gracefully. It is better to be a year too early than a day too late.
Commodities:
Trump Proposes Most Aggressive Offshore Drilling Plan Ever
Economy and Finance:
In possible boon for White House, Fed ready to lay low as tax plan kicks in. JWR’s Comments: Just keep in mind that the Federal Reserve holds the proverbial Sword of Damocles. If they ever develop a dislike for Trump & Company, they can kill the economic boom quickly, by simply raising interest rates. Never lose sight of the fact that it is the banksters who really rule our nation. They have done so since just after the founding of the Fed banking cartel, in 1913.
Tangibles Investing (Rare Postage Stamps):
Stamp collections are a great investing hedge that are compact and lightweight to transport. In the long term, they have gone up in value substantially. (Well above the rate of inflation.) In recent years, professionally graded and encapsulated stamps have become popular. Generally collectors prefer to buy un-encapsulated stamps. But conversely, investors prefer to buy encapsulated stamps. (They are treated more like a commodity.) This is quite similar to the coin market, and the differences between the buyers of slabbed versus raw (ungraded) coins. The best-known stamp-grading and encapsulating company is Professional Stamp Experts (PSE). As with all other collectibles where condition is critical, it is crucial that you do plenty of research before you invest in rare postage stamps. You should first: Read stamp collecting magazines, obtain annual stamp price guides/references, check on the realized prices at stamp auctions, and then attend some stamp and coin shows. Become an information sponge. It is almost always a well-educated investor that is a successful investor.
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!
RE: Stock market euphoria
JWR,
You know I agree with you 99% of the time, but when it comes to stock “markets” I will have to concur with Joel Skousen: “No economic collapse until nuclear war”. Without an actual nuclear exchange or some equally calamitous event, the central banks will continue to buy equities and bonds infinitum and inflate an even bigger bubble. As long as the Fed can “print” money out of thin air and buy actual assets this will never stop. Even though the 10Y has spiked to 2.58%, this morning’s rumor of China slowing or halting their purchases of Treasuries has only moved the Dow 30 points to the downside as of 11:30amEST, and it will most likely be green by the close. The .01% will not allow their multi-generational wealth and control to evaporate overnight. We may become like the zombie economy of Japan where the BOJ now owns 45% of the Nikkei 225, but this is a slow grind that will take decades. Barring an unhinged act that foments a global war, there is simply too much to lose for the “owners” of this planet to allow a collapse at any point in the foreseeable future.
There is no reason not to have the opportunity to profit from the “irrational exuberance”.