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 [1]. Today, we look at lithium, a key metallic element required for battery production. (See the Commodities section.)
Precious Metals:
You may have noticed that gold, sliver, and most of the cryptos were pushed down this week. I suspect that a lot of small investors who had long options had to raise cash, to cover their positions, as the NASDAQ technology stocks fell. This too shall pass. Just look at it as another buying opportunity, before Bidenflation inevitably pushes the precious metals much higher. – JWR
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Ted Butler: Solving A Great Gold Mystery [2].
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A Mark Dice video: Trying To Trade 1 oz Gold Coin (worth $1800) for Worthless Random Stuff [3]
Economy & Finance:
CNBC: The Fed is likely to signal a March interest rate hike and that further policy tightening is coming [4].
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S&P 500 Tumbles in Worst-Ever Start Through 16 Days [5].
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Grantham: When the superbubble bursts [6].
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Inflation surge could push the Fed into more than four rate hikes this year, Goldman Sachs says [7].
Commodities:
This link came to me in the Your Daily G2 e-newsletter: Lithium Hits ‘Ludicrous Mode’ as Battery Metal Extends 400% Gain [8]. This piece begins:
“Lithium prices are continuing their breakneck ascent in China, with surging electric-vehicle sales underpinning a fivefold gain over the past year.
Chinese lithium carbonate prices tracked by Asian Metal Inc. rose to a fresh record on Monday, as data showed a 35% month-on-month jump in electric-vehicle registrations in December. Nearly 400,000 EVs were registered during the month, according to the China Automotive Technology and Research Center. Tesla Inc. supplied about 18% of the total.
The sales figures offer the latest evidence that the electric-vehicle revolution is now arriving in full force, fueling sharp gains in the shares of carmakers and mining equities alike…”
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Is A Lithium Cartel Inevitable? [9]
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OilPrice News reports: Inflation Could Push Oil Supply Into The Danger Zone [10].
Inflation Watch:
At Zero Hedge: “The Sum Of All Fed Fears” – BofA Warns FOMC Isn’t Doing Enough To Stop Inflation From Torpedoing Markets [11].
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Forex & Cryptos:
IMF Cuts U.S. Growth for 2022 in WEO Forecasts [13].
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Over at Currency Thoughts: Global Equity Prices Remain Highly Unstable [14].
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Some important news: Fed Releases Discussion Paper on US Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) [15].
Here is a link to the Fed’s CBDC paper [16]. They are seeking public comments [17]. Please give them an earful about how a CBDC FedCoin MUST be firmly limited in issue numbers. Remind them of how their unlimited fiat issuance has destroyed 97% of the purchasing power of Federal Reserve Notes, since 1914. Also, let them know that the CBDC scheme could erode privacy.
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Bank Of Russia Calls For Ban On Crypto Mining And Trading [18]. Here is a quote:
“Like many governments, Russian financial regulators have had a complicated relationship with cryptocurrencies. Back in October, Russian leader Vladimir Putin praised cryptocurrencies as a possible tool to help dismantle the global dollar-based financial system. [19]
That didn’t stop Russia from barring the use of cryptocurrencies for payment. And now the country’s financial regulators are pushing for a China-style ban on crypto mining, something that could disrupt the international network supporting popular cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum. In a report published Thursday, the Russian Central Bank called for a full ban on crypto. Its findings were presented during an online press conference led by Elizaveta Danilova, the director of the Bank of Russia’s Financial Stability Department.”
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El Salvador Buys 410 More Bitcoins In Recent Dip [20].
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Here’s how to keep your crypto safe [21].
Tangibles Investing:
New & Used Vehicle Inventories Rise, But for the Wrong Reasons [22].
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Collectibles as Investments in 2022 — Valuable Types, Risks & Rewards [23].
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Palmetto State Armory [24] (one of our affiliate advertisers) has a few special prices on ar uppers and lowers that they have carried over from SHOT Show week. At their site, click on “Daily Deals” and take a look.
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos [25] page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR [1]. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form [26].) 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!