Economics & Investing For Preppers

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 spike in natural gas prices. (See the Commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

The Most Inflation-Resistant Money the World Has Ever Known.

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Arkadiusz Sieroń: 2022 Doesn’t Have to Be Like 1980 for Gold.

Economy & Finance:

Half of US companies preparing to cut jobs, survey shows.

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Home sales fell nearly 6% in July as housing market slides into a recession.

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A 10-minute Video: China’s Economic Crisis Is About To Get Much Worse — Housing Collapse Explained

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The “Big Short” Michael Burry Liquidates Entire Portfolio, Holds Just One Stock At End Of Q2.

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Reader C.B. sent us this news from the UK: Massive strike expected to fray already fragile supply chain.

Commodities:

Natural Gas Prices At 14-Year High As Traders Warn Of Winter Tightness. The article’s opening lines:

“The explanation for US natural gas prices at 14-yeah highs, in our view, are concerns that increasing domestic and European demand for the fuel will result in tighter US supplies ahead of the winter season. A lot of NatGas has been pumped to power plants this summer as cooling demand surged, sending stockpiles for the coldest months of the year below 10% of normal levels.

Traders and research desks also focus on reopening Freeport LNG Terminal in Quintana, Texas, in October, which would boost US Gulf exports to Europe and result in even tighter US supplies.”

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Boom in U.S. Oil Production Since 2008 Saved American Motorists Over $2 TrillionJWR’s Comment: I hope that Sniffy Joe Biden doesn’t strain his shoulder, patting himself on the back for teh recent drop in gas prices.

Inflation Watch:

Canadian inflation expected to take longer than expected to return to target.

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QTR: Inflation Is Quietly Stripping Us Of Our Private Property Rights.

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Automakers raise prices of EVs, canceling out tax credits offered in Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. JWR’s Comment: This will be the way that foreign EV makers will gain their first foothold in the American market.

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US Postal Service Implementing “Temporary” Price Hikes For The Holiday Season.

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Turkey prices expected to surge this Thanksgiving, experts warn.

Forex & Cryptos:

Dollar driven to five-week high by Fed rate hike forecasts.

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At Currency Thoughts: Dollar Gain Fueled by Higher Interest Rates, but Stocks and Bitcoin End Week on Very Sour Note.

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Russia plans to roll out digital ruble across all banks in 2024.

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Why Colombia Will Create CBDC To Reduce Tax Evasion.

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Thai central bank to test retail digital currency late this year.

Tangibles Investing:

Hagerty: It’s different now: Why fast-rising collector cars aren’t headed for a crash.

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Is the ‘home price correction’ coming for your housing market? These interactive maps show Moody’s 2023 and 2024 forecasts.

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For just this week, Palmetto State Armory (PSA) — one of our affiliate advertisers — is running a noteworthy package special: 1,000 rounds of Winchester M855 62gr FMJ Green Tip 5.56x45mm Ammo and 10 Magpul PMAG 30-round Gen2 PMAG 5.56 magazines, all for $669. That is quite a deal, when you consider that less than just a few months ago, just a 1,000-round case of 5.56 green tip was selling for $750.  I suggest that you stock up heavily, using this deal.  At their site, put “KIT-0469” in their search box.

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!