Here are the latest news 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.) With the Christmas holiday, this was a short trading week, in many markets. Today’s focus is on Silver and Gold in 2019. (See the Precious Metals Section section.)
Precious Metals (Silver and Gold in 2019):
Watching the exchange value of the Dollar and interest rates, many market analysts are predicting higher silver and gold prices in 2019. The ongoing stock market turmoil may indeed trigger a rush to safety. Here are a few links to what some of the analysts presage:
Silver’s Time Will Come; TDS Sees Silver Outperforming Gold In 2019
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2019 Gold Price Forecasts and Predictions from the Big Investment Banks
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GOLD PRICE FORECAST 2019, 2020, 2021 AND 2022
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Could the Silver Price Really Hit $130 per Ounce?
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Will LBMA Predictions of $1532/Ounce Gold In 2019 Come True?
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J.P. Morgan: Gold Set to Shine in 2019
Stocks and The Real World:
The wild rollercoaster ride on Wall Street is continuing. The historic 1,086 point jump in the DJIA on Wednesday (December 26, 2018) is attributable to the machinations (or should I say Mnuchinations?) of the Plunge Protection Team (aka President’s Working Group on Financial Markets). They were summoned by Saint Steven The Munchkin after the genuine rout, last week. Their preferred modus operandi: Convincing banks to aggressively buy stock index futures. Way to go, team! Too bad that on your trips to the beach you cannot stop the outgoing tide. You can only make a well-publicized splash in the surf.
Don’t be fooled by the CNBC Cheerleaders. The same day that Dow stocks zoomed 1,086 points, gold was down just $3.56 per ounce to $1269.26 per Troy ounce. (That was a tiny .02% decline.) And silver was up 21 cents per ounce to $15.04, while platinum was up $10.35 per Troy ounce to $799.15. Those figures, of course, were not trumpeted by CNBC.
The next morning (Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018) stocks were back down more than 610 points. Meanwhile, gold and silver were both up. Only platinum suffered a bit, because it is more of an industrial metal. Yes, there is now realization that a recession is unfolding. Later in the stock trading session, the DJIA roared back, for a 250-point gain for the day. Yeah, Plunge Protection Team! (Yes, that reverasal was the work of those bankster guys again, in case nobody noticed.)
Buckle up, folks. The stock market roller coaster ride is far from over. Cue the screaming…
Debt Bubble:
Federal Debt Up $1.37 Trillion Since Last Dec. 25; $10,743 Per Household
Commodities:
Shale Growth Could Slow On Oil Price Meltdown
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Key commodities trends to look out for in 2019
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Can China Save South Sudan’s Oil Sector?
Cryptos:
Binance CEO: We Don’t Know if Crypto Correction Phase has Passed
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Crypto Miners are Struggling, Can They Survive the Bear Market?
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Coinbase Just Moved $5 Billion in Crypto to Prepare for Token Expansion
Tangibles Investing:
The classic car market definitely cooled in 2018. What is ahead in 2019 is uncertain. In a recession, we can expect to see most collectibles, including collectible cars, fall in value. But one thing is sure: Your best opportunity to make a profit in classic cars and trucks when you buy them right. “Buying right” means buying below market. Finding those bargains takes plenty of patience and research. Four key words to look for when searching through classic car and truck ads (at Hemmings, or elsewhere) are: “invested”, “sacrifice”, “medical”, “health”, and “receipts.” Why? Because of the way these ads are typically phrased. Such a: “I have more than $18,000 invested in restoring this car, but I’m selling it for just….” Or, “Due to medical expenses I must sacrifice this car…” Or: “I have receipts showing $XXXX, but for health reasons…” Those are all phrases used by desperate sellers. But beware: Those same words and phrases are now used by other sellers who lack scruples!
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. 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!
Read the article on China and saving African countries infrastructure.
Then hit the Taiwan Straits news site and read up on China seizing the Kenyan Port at Mombasa. Then read how China is seizing the standard gauge railroad from the port of Mombasa to Nairobi. Then read up on China seizing the national power grid in another African nation. All of this stems from predatory lending practices through the Chinese EXIM bank.
When you finish that, recall reading about the cities China has built in Africa, that sit vacant but for caretakers, waiting for something to happen.
Do the math.
China
What I have been seeing in the past week is that several usually busy shops have sold out of the usual silver, i.e., rounds, maples and eagles. One shop clerk admitted the the market volatility had several people buying more than usial.