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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the developing shortage of 5.56mm NATO ammunition. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

Off the record: silver looks better than gold in 2024 according to LBMA survey.

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Gold SWOT: Could This Be the Start of a New Bull Market in Bullion?

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Higher silver prices needed to meet solar demand, ‘you’re not going to melt grandmother’s silver at $35 an ounce,’ Hecla’s Phillips Baker.

Economy & Finance:

Reader C.B. sent this: Czechoslovak Group Acquires Federal, CCI, Hevi-Shot, Remington Ammo & Speer.

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Linked over at Zero HedgeBidenomics Simplified.

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David Haggith: Bonds Bust!  The Big Bond Bust brewed into a huge storm today with the US 10Yr making a face-ripping rise above 4.8% to its highest level in 17 years and fastest climb in years.

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Janet Yellen: America Can ‘Absolutely’ Afford Another War.

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SEC Head: Financial Crash Caused by AI ‘Nearly Unavoidable’.

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Best Buy to cease selling DVD and Blu-ray media after the holidays.

Commodities:

Biden unveils ‘hydrogen hubs’ in push for 2024.

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UK And Germany See No Way Back To Energy Trade With Russia.

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Another from OilPrice News: North Korea’s Covert Role In Russian-Ukrainian Conflict.

Inflation/Deflation Watch:

Ex-Walmart CEO Says US Consumers Reaching ‘Breaking Point’.

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Statista: How Americans Responded to the Inflation Crisis.

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Economist blasts ‘charlatan’ Krugman over claim that the ‘war on inflation is over’: ‘Fallacious’

Forex & Cryptos:

At Currency Thoughts: Bank Indonesia rate hike.

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California ‘BitLicense’ Bill Signed by Gov. Newsom.

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Ferrari Embraces Crypto: Accepting Bitcoin For Supercars.

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XRP Price Set For Massive Rally As BlackRock And JPMorgan Make Their Move.

Tangibles Investing:

A nationwide shortage of 5.56mm ball ammo is developing. This was apparently triggered by the announcement that Lake City Arsenal (operated by Winchester) is ceasing all civilian production contracts. contracts. Reader M.M. sent this tidbit of confirmation:

“I have an FFL and order all of my ammo from two major wholesalers.  They both warned me early last week that there was a run on 5.56mm and that I better order soon. Yesterday, all 5.556 ammo was gone [from those distributors].  9mm will be gone soon.  FYI.  We are on the verge of a real war from three different areas. Button up and stock up.”

JWR Adds: I noticed that Palmetto State Armory (one of our affiliate advertisers) still has Winchester M855 5.56 Bulk Ammo 62 Gr FMJ Green Tip ammo, in 500-round boxes available.

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GunMag Warehouse (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running some specials this week on MagPul PMAGs.  For example, they are selling 40-round Gen 3 AR-15/M4 PMAGs for just $17.99 each. At a price like that, you should buy a pile of them.

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. Thanks!