Economics & Investing For Preppers

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 SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR ^[1]. Today, we look at investing in Bitcoin, versus genuine tangibles. (See the Cryptos section.)

Precious Metals:

When I last checked, spot silver ^[2] was near a six-month low, at around $14.29 per Troy ounce.  I believe that this dip represents a good time to buy.

o  o  o

Metals ETFs Signal Upcoming Reversals In Gold Prices ^[3]

Economy & Finance:

At Wolf Street: Suddenly US Service-Sector Growth Dives, Manufacturing Gets Even Weaker ^[4]

o  o  o

Also at Wolf Street: US-Traded Chinese Stocks & ADRs Totally Crushed, Many by 50% or 60% or More ^[5]

o  o  o

Reader J.L. suggested this: John Stossel: In money we trust? ^[6]

The Politico-Economic Nexus:

Bernie Sanders Wants To Make College Free By Taxing All Stock, Bond And Derivative Trades ^[7]

o  o  o

Democratic 2020 candidates lag U.S. in giving, tax returns sh ^[8]ow

o  o  o

Meet all the Democratic candidates in the crowded 2020 race ^[9]

o  o  o

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is Not a Socialist, She Is a Luxury Communist ^[10]

o  o  o

California’s State and Local Liabilities Total $1.5 Trillion ^[11]

Cryptos:

Reader T.Z. mentioned this rather geeky essay comparing gold and Bitcoin: Drop Gold and The Myths We’re Told ^[12]. JWR’s Comments: Despite their unbridled (and untoward) enthusiasm, my inner Realist Me, or should I say my Pragmatist Me insists:  Do not trust intangibles! The fact is that Bitcoin doesn’t even qualify as a traditional intangible. At least stocks and bonds are abstractions of some underlying tangible–not accessible to the investor, but at least there is something of value there. But cryptos are what I prefer to call “Conceptuals”–which is something even more abstract. So, at the risk of missing the boat on a cryptocurrency bull market, I’m keeping my portfolio at: just 2.5% cryptos, 7.5% CDs, stocks, bonds, and other “paper”, and 90% in genuine tangibles. (Productive land, our primary residence, silver, gold, guns, ammunition, and a few choice antiques edged weapons and other collectibles.)

o  o  o

Bitcoin ready to blast past $10,000, says analyst ^[13]. (Thanks to H.L. for the link.)

o  o  o

Why Analysts are Adamant Bitcoin Rally is Just Gettin’ Started After 130% Gain ^[14]

Tangibles Investing:

The FN FNC–sort of a modernized 5.56mm version of the more famous FAL–has seen a substantial rise in price, in the past few years. This is apparently because a large number of registered FNC autosears were manufactured, just before the Hughes Amendment machinegun freeze went into effect.  You can presently buy a semi-auto FNC for around $4,500 and a transferable selective fire FNC for around $19,000. That is not bad, in today’s market–where an M16 Registered drop-in autosear is selling for $32,000! Because the supply of these pre-ban rifles is effectively frozen in the United States, I expect those figures to rise substantially, before 2025. Here are a few good background articles and one video on the FNC:

• FN FNC assault rifle ^[15]
• FN FNC ^[16]
• Gun Review: The FN FNC: Affordable Select-Fire 5.56 ^[17]
• Video: FN FNC Full Auto: The Pride of Belgium ^[18]

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 ^[1]. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form ^[19].) 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!