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 collectible cars, as an investment. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
Weak demand for platinum evened out by PGM supply pressure – Johnson Matthey
o o o
Freedom And Sound Money: Two Sides Of A Coin.
o o o
I noticed that there is a surprising amount of coin pricing data available free of charge, at the PCGS web site.
o o o
Reader R.R. sent us this: Russia may boost platinum market as automakers switch from palladium, WPIC says.
Economy & Finance:
Here’s what just happened that triggers stock market drops 71% of the time, warns Credit Suisse.
o o o
o o o
At Zero Hedge: Homebuilder Sentiment Slumps In May Amid “Growing Challenges” In Housing Market.
o o o
Four reasons the economy looks like it’s crumbling — and what to do about it.
o o o
Bank of America Clients Hoard Cash at Highest Level in Two Decades.
Commodities:
America’s Electric Grid Has A $2 Trillion Problem.
o o o
OilPrice News reports: Oil Hits Eight-Week High Amid Hopes Of Recovering Chinese Demand.
o o o
World’s Largest Fertilizer Company Warns Crop Nutrient Disruptions Through 2023.
o o o
Highest Ever U.S. Gasoline Prices Aren’t Destroying Demand.
Inflation Watch:
Reader Terry N. recommended this piece, wherein Kim Dotcom plainly states some sobering facts and figures: The public debt is impossible to repay and hyperinflation of the US Dollar is inevitable.
o o o
Ben Bernanke Predicts ‘Stagflation’ Reminiscent of the 1970s.
o o o
H.L. was the first of several readers to send us this link: Washington gas stations run out of gas, add extra digit in anticipation of $10 dollar prices.
Forex & Cryptos:
Over at Larry Greenberg’s Currency Thoughts blog: Few Rays of Hope.
o o o
Some interesting data: Inflation Rate – By Country.
o o oCryptocurrencies: Why they’ve crashed and what it could mean for their future.
o o o
CBDCs: Examining the sinister growth of digital currencies around the world.
o o o
Solana TVL Sees Sharp Decline, Reaches 2022 Low.
o o o
Bitcoin Is Legal Tender in El Salvador, Here’s How It’s Going
Tangibles Investing:
As you’ve probably already heard: I price my Elk Creek Company antique guns in Pre-1965 silver coinage. I also take Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) by check or money, order, at a multiplier to the silver prices. Take note that the recent drop in the spot price of silver over the past four weeks makes paying in FRNs presently quite advantageous for you. The FRN-to-Pre-’65 silver multiplier was over 24-to-1 a few months ago. Now it is down to 21.6-to-1. Please take a look at the pre-1899 cartridge guns and percussion replica guns that I have for sale. These can be bought without any paperwork in most jurisdictions, here in the States. (Consult your state and local laws, before ordering.)
o o o
Investing in Collectible Cars: Top Tips and Risks. Here is a quote:
“Thanks to increasing global wealth chasing a limited number of vehicles, the market for classic cars has done better than collectibles like coins and stamps over the past decade, sometimes even beating the broad stock index. The Historic Automobile Group International (HAGI) tracks the collector’s car market with a number of indexes. Its broadest is the HAGI Top Index, which tracks vintage collectible cars from Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, and other brands.1 The Top Index was up 33.78% for 2019; although affected by the pandemic, it still managed to increase 6.19% in 2020, and 2.73% in 2021 year-over-year.”
o o o
Rare Boba Fett Action Figure Sells For $204,435.
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!