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 wild ride in the markets, triggered by the Ukraine crisis.
Precious Metals:
The spot prices of gold and silver took considerable jumps this week, just as I anticipated. In my estimation, it is still not too late to buy some silver, as it is likely to zoom up over $40 per Troy ounce, as the Ukraine crisis deepens. And if silver “the poor man’s gold” is still too expensive for you, then you can always get nickels at face value from your local bank, for immediate gain. (See the Commodities section for some details on the global nickel market.)
o o o
Gold: Chasing Price Feels Very Nice!
o o o
Gold price hits all-time highs as investor risk sentiment falls sharply.
Economy & Finance:
The Atlantic: China’s Russia Risk.
o o o
Greyerz – The Dark Years For The World Are Now Starting In Earnest.
o o o
In the midst of economic turmoil, is Russian history repeating itself?
Commodities:
The nickel spot and futures markets got so frantic that trading was temporarily suspended, early in the week. Correspondingly, the melt value of a U.S. Nickel five-cent piece jumped from 7 cents to 9 cents in less than 24 hours! Hang on to your nickels, folks. If the melt value of a five-cent piece gets above 10 cents, then I predict that nickels may be formally dropped from circulation. At that point, Gresham’s Law will kick in, and all of the “at face value” nickels will be swept out of circulation within weeks, by the newly-aware public.
o o o
Reader Mike D. spotted this article, on the same subject: Nickel Futures Spike Ridiculously, Trading Halted, in Short Squeeze on Chinese Tycoon Facing Billions in Losses.
o o o
And here is some more background behind the trading halt: Nickel Price Spike Sparks Margin Call Fears.
o o o
Lastly, here is The WSJ‘s reporting: Nickel Prices Sent on Wild Ride by Russia-Ukraine War. A quote:
“The LME will give consideration to a possible multi-day closure, given the geopolitical situation which underlies recent price moves…”
o o o
OilPrice News: Goldman Sachs: Oil Prices To Average $135 Per Barrel This Year.
o o o
Chip Shortage? Now it’s a Ship(ping Container) Shortage.
Inflation Watch:
Food crisis grows as spiralling prices spark export bans.
o o o
The Russia-Ukraine Crisis And Inflation Do Not Stop American Consumers From Spending.
o o o
CPI data for February was released on March 10th. No great surprise: Continuing inflation.
Forex & Cryptos:
o o o
There is lots of conjecture about Sniffy Joe Biden’s planned announcement on regulating cryptocurrencies, next week: Biden to issue executive order on cryptocurrency. Not surprisingly, this caused most cryptos to plummet. But then, on Wednesday, came this headline: Cryptos soar after accidental release of coming executive order.
o o o
Crypto expert Jameson Lopp: How To Prepare For Hyperinflation.
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 or 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!