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, news of new highs for gold. (See the Precious Metals section.)
Precious Metals:
Reader H.L. suggested this article: Gold hit a new record. What Deutsche Bank says is driving the price of the metal.
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At Gold-Eagle.com: Inflation: The Dow Is Down 36 Percent in Gold Terms Since 1929.
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A video interview: Silver Squeeze 2.0: 10x Gains as Deficits Squeeze Supplies Dry – David Morgan.
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‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ author blasts Warren Buffett’s U-turn on assets.
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I noted these prices early yesterday morning (October 2, 2025), following Asian trading, but just before the Comex market opening bell:
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$3,910.40
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Silver$48.29
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Platinum$1,604.70
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Palladium$1,292.10
With those big price jumps, I almost certainly expect to see some profit-taking, today.
This month is probably your last good opportunity to ratio trade out of gold and into silver or platinum before their prices blossom. Remember: Reversion to the mean is the norm. – JWR
Economy & Finance:
Over at MoneyWatch: As AI threatens white-collar work, more young Americans choose blue-collar careers.
JWR’s Comment: The brightest and most ambitious apprentices will quickly climb up the ladder of the trades, and become prosperous specialist contractors or general contractors. I can safely predict that it will be a long time before AI-driven robots will be doing tile floor house remodeling!
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In The New York Times: From Crisis to Crisis: How Congress Struggles to Fund the Government.
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WSJ: How Government Shutdowns Affect the Economy.
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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Slow Learners, Another Transgender Spokesperson Forces The Closing Of 35 Stores.
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At Zero Hedge: Asia-West Coast Container Rates Plummet; Demand Seen Waning Through Year-End.
Commodities:
Record cattle prices present both opportunity and risk.
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Bank of America projects copper price to surge past $11,000 in 2026.
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U.S. Government Invests in Lithium Americas.
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Nickel Prices Poised to Exit $15K Range as Seasonal Supply Constraints Hit Market.
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At OilPrice News: Canada’s LNG Era Has Officially Begun.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
Reader H.L. suggested this article: ‘A hint of 1967’: 4 reasons the US could soon see an inflation spike similar to the last stagflation crisis.
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Inflation Is Running High—Here’s What Experts Expect for the Rest of the Year.
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China Factory Deflation Eases But Not Enough to Call Turnaround.
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Non-food deflation ends as UK shop prices climb in September.
Forex & Cryptos:
Dollar Extends Declines as US Government Shutdown Begins.
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Reader D.S.V. spotted this troubling news, from Canada: The State Just Robbed an Entire Crypto Exchange in Broad Daylight—Is Your Wallet Next? JWR’s Comment: Do not trust crypto exchanges, regardless of their locale or who operates them. You should only trust your own air-gapped hardware wallet that is kept well-hidden, in your own possession.
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Reported on Thursday: Bitcoin Unlocks Highest Level Since Mid-August, Briefly Surpasses 119,000.
Tangibles Investing:
I’ve been noting that house and land prices have plateaued in most of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. The number of listings is up, and the “time on market” is lengthening. Those are both signs of a market top. So, unless there is an unexpected drop in interest rates, there might be some bargains when prices decline, this coming winter. – JWR
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Our featured Pre-1899 Gun Of The Week, at Elk Creek Company: Black Cerakoted Winchester Model 1887 12 Gauge Lever Action Riotgun.
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!