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 [1] also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the LMBA’s nascent silver short squeeze. (See the Precious Metals section.)
Precious Metals
The Comex shorts did their best to hold down the price of silver again this week. But the Asian traders kept bidding it back up into the $38.20 to $38.50 USD range. The word is out that the LBMA has nearly exhausted its supply of physically warehoused silver available for delivery. The exchange now holds less than 160 million physical ounces. Keep in mind that more than 200 million ounces worth of silver contracts are cleared there, daily. But most of those are “paper for paper” transactions — not physical deliveries. What happens if and when more buyers start to demand delivery? This could get ugly. (For the Shorts, that is. Not for us silver stackers. We are now sitting pretty.) – JWR
o o o
At Gold-Eagle.com: The Key Breakout for Many Markets Including Gold [2].
o o o
Scottsdale Mint: US Metal War: Silver Becomes Strategic as Premiums Explode [3].
Economy & Finance:
Argent: Fixed Income Update – July 2025 [4].
o o o
Linked over at the Whatfinger.com [5]news site: Senate Passes “DOGE” Recissions Bill, Heads For House Vote As Deadline Looms [6].
o o o
Reader H.L. mentioned this piece at Zero Hedge: What Types Of Jobs Will Survive The AI Revolution? [7]
Commodities:
H.L. sent us this: Electricity bills projected to jump 20% in coming months for these 13 states [8].
o o o
o o o
Global Oil Consumption Reaches All-Time High [10].
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
From The Times (UK): Rip-off America? From car rentals to coffee, inflation is rampant [11].
o o o
CPI rose in June to 2.7% annual rate, highest since February [10].
o o o
Colombia: Inflation Ends 4-Month Stable Streak, Settles at 5.1% in March [12].
Forex & Cryptos:
Reuters: Battered dollar a boon for U.S. multinational companies [13].
o o o
Ranked: The Biggest Currency Drops So Far in 2025 [14].
o o o
Reported on July 15th: Bitcoin climbs to record $123,000 as investors eye U.S. policy boost [15].
o o o
Freedom Caucus Prevails on Measure to Block Central Bank Digital Currency [16].
o o o
Secret Service seizes $400M in crypto, cold wallet among world’s largest [17].
Tangibles Investing:
International Buyers Purchased $56 Billion Worth Of US Homes In One Year [18].
o o o
Investors snap up growing share of US homes as traditional buyers struggle to afford one [19]. JWR’s Comments: If this trend continues, then I predict a bifurcation of the undeveloped land market versus the occupancy-ready house market. It will become more economical to leave the completed houses to BlackRock and instead buy land and build your own home, overseeing contractors. As a prepper, you will be able to specify having much more climate-controlled food storage space, ballistic protection, and other security features.
o o o
Some bad news that should spur some rifle shooters into stocking up on ammo for their rifles chambered in oddball calibers: Serbia Bans Weapons Exports – Ammo Crisis Coming? [20]
o o o
Our featured Pre-1899 Gun Of The Week, at Elk Creek Company: Pietta Blackpowder M1858 .44 Remington Replica — Excellent in Box [21]. (And, yes, there are .45 Colt conversion cylinders widely available.) I’ve already set a $475 sale price on this revolver. And many of our other guns are going on sale for one week, in our annual Samuel Colt’s Birthday Week Sale. Take a look!
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos [22] page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR [1]. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form [23].) 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!