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. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the effect of pending Federal legislation on gun prices. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
Mark Lundeen: Gold is Now Very Oversold
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Gold price can’t catch a break as oil hits nearly 3-year high; all focus on bonds – analysts
Economy & Finance:
At Econimica: The Narrative of Inflation Amid Depopulation
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At Zero Hedge: Warren Buffett: “Retirees face a bleak future”
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Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Package; Here Are The Differences From House Version
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Freddie Mac: Mortgage Rates Hit Three Percent
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Rates activity surges as bond yields rise sharply
Commodities:
Tesla is plugging a secret mega-battery into the Texas grid
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OilPrice News reports: Energy Transition Leads To Higher Oil Prices, Metals Shortage
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Copper’s rally may be back on as prices steady above $9,000. JWR’s Comment: I’m still bullish on both copper and nickel. You’ll get both when you stockpile U.S. Nickel coins, at face value.
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Coffee prices soaring due to “systemic” coronavirus supply chain disruptions
Global Supply Chains:
SaraSue sent us this: Prepping – Information on shortages
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Viewpoint: Supply chains are having a moment
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Three Fears Looming Over Supply Chains in 2021
Forex & Cryptos:
Continuing Rise of Long-Term U.S. Bond Yields Lifts Dollar but Depresses Equities
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Venezuela to issue 1-million-bolivar bill, but it’s worth only 50 cents amid raging hyperinflation
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Zambian inflation rate surgring. Here is a quote:
“The annual inflation rate in Zambia soared for the sixth straight month to 22.2% in February of 2021, reaching its highest level since March of 2016. Food inflation was the highest since at least January of 2011 (27.3% vs 25.6% in January), driven by prices of cereals; meats; fish; fruits; vegetables fats & oils and milk and eggs.”
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PayPal purchases crypto custody firm Curv
Tangibles Investing:
With the current strong push for Federal-level gun restrictions in Congress, I’ve decided to re-prioritize my tangibles investing strategy. For the next few months, I’ll be strongly emphasizing acquiring guns, receivers, parts kits, and magazines. That is it, in a nutshell.
Important Note: As expected, H.R. 8 (“Universal Background Checks”) passed in the U.S. House yesterday. (You can see the voting rollcall here.) The eight turncoat Republicans that voted for it were:
- Vern Buchanan of Florida
- Carlos Gimenez of Florida
- Maria Salazar of Florida
- Andrew Garbarino of New York
- Chris Smith of New Jersey
- Fred Upton of Michigan
- Adam Kinzinger of Illinois
- Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
If it appears that the Senate’s version of H.R. 8 will have enough votes to pass and be enacted, then it will be very important to quickly “top off” your family’s firearms battery. The clock starts ticking, once it is clear that the likelihood of passage in the U.S. Senate is certain or nearly certain. This will be particularly important if you live in one of the 33 States that still has legal private party sales. For those who aren’t familiar with that term, it means: Sales of used guns between two unlicensed adults who are both residents of the same State, with the transaction taking place in that same State. The private party transfer ban law won’t take effect for six months, but I expect prices of private party guns to go ballistic immediately after the bill passes both the House and Senate. Buckle up for a wild six months.
H.R. 8 is very bad legislation. Not only does it grossly over-reach the Interstate Commerce Clause, but it also very craftily will remove handgun ownership rights for 18-to-20-year-old citizens unless there are already guns belonging to their parents that could be gifted to them.
A also note that H.R. says nothing about what FFL dealers can charge to handle a transfer between two private parties. What if all the big city storefront dealers decide to charge a $150 fee, per transfer? Tough. Pay it, or you are an instant felon.
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 closely watch specific markets. If you spot any news that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, then please send it in. News items from local news outlets that are missed by the news wire services are especially appreciated. And it need not be only about commodities and precious metals. Thanks!