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 rollercoaster ride in the markets since the February invasion of Ukraine.
Precious Metals:
Gold and silver inch higher. JWR’s Comments: In my estimation, silver is now poised for a leap into the $40 per Troy ounce range. With a market that thin, all that it would take is just one major news outlet headline mentioning silver’s upside potential to catalyze such a move.
o o o
Video interview: Jim Rickards discusses the ‘unintended consequences’ of the sanctions the West is imposing on Russia.
Economy & Finance:
A video from Stoic Finance that describes China’s Ghost Cities and their absurd real estate bubble: China’s Collapse Just Got So Much WORSE…
o o o
Powell says Fed will hike further and faster if necessary.
o o o
Bullard says Fed moving too slowly to quell high inflation and putting economy at risk.
o o o
At Wolf Street: Mayhem in the Treasury Market as Powell Adds 50-Basis-Point Rate Hikes (Plural) to Menu, QT “As Soon As” May.
o o o
At Zero Hedge: Goldman Admits Saudi-China Oil-Trade Signals ‘Erosion’ Of Dollar Reserve Status.
o o o
From Record Selling To Panic Buying: A Week For The Hedge Fund History Books.
Commodities:
The mainstream media is catching on: It’s a Great Time to Hoard Nickels. (Thanks to Jeff M. for the link.)
o o o
Speaking of Nickel, as of Tuesday, the LME again has the market frozen, two weeks after the nickel spike crisis. This latest closure came after a 15% one-day drop, on Monday.
o o o
A chicken shortage ahead? Bird flu case forces killing of 5.3 million chickens in Iowa.
o o o
OilPrice News reports: Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine Is A Catastrophe For Its Oil Industry.
o o o
o o o
It now looks like uranium will be needed in Europe much longer than was anticipated: Belgium delays nuclear energy exit 10 years due to Ukraine war. (Thanks to C.R.B. for the link.)
o o o
Hedge Funds Sell Record 1 Billion Barrels In Oil Futures Just As Prices Explode Higher.
Inflation Watch:
U.S. retail sales soften as high gasoline costs begin to bite.
o o o
Soaring Inflation at 40-Year High – Is a 100-Year High Ahead?
o o o
Double-Digit U.K. Inflation Emerges as Risk in BOE Scenario.
o o o
Wholesale Price Inflation Reaches Double Digits.
o o o
Prices of Goods Climbed Record 2.4 Percent in February. JWR’s Comment: It is probably not safe to extrapolate that for a year, but…
o o o
Switzerland: the Land That Inflation Left Behind.
Forex & Cryptos:
Reserve Currency Reminder: The Yuan Is Pegged to the Dollar.
o o o
Say hello to Russian gold and Chinese petroyuan. (A hat tip to Steve R., for the link.)
o o o
o o o
U.S. Treasury Confirms We Can Remove ‘Illicit Activity’ From Bitcoin FUD Dice. JWR’s Comments: I’m confident that “Illicit Activity”, “Black Market”, “Drug Money”, “Money Laundering”, “Terrorist Group Funding”, and “Child Trafficking/Exploitation” are just what will be trumpeted to denigrate all private cryptos, as soon as the planned U.S. Sovereign Cryptocurrency is announced. Count on it.
o o o
Ethereum Whales Purchase Over $6 Million Worth Of APE Tokens.
Tangibles Investing:
Those Steering Our Monetary Ship are Moving Themselves into Tangibles NOW — Rob Kirby.
o o o
This was posted back in January: Inflation sparks land interest.
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!