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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at inflation and deflation. (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.)
Precious Metals:
Gold to outperform silver this year as recession risks build, says Bloomberg Intelligence.
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A very informative video: Why 90% “Junk” Silver Coin Prices are Out of Control!
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Zimbabwe to issue a redeemable gold-backed digital currency: Buying RBZ’s Gold-Backed Digital Tokens; Here Is What You Need To Know.
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Avi Gilburt, at Gold-Eagle.com: How Many More Warnings Do You Need About The Danger In Banks?
Economy & Finance:
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Scope Ratings Places US Credit Ratings Under Review for Possible Downgrade.
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Small Business Optimism Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade.
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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Brian Kennedy: U.S. “Can’t Kick The Can Down The Road” Any Longer on Debt Ceiling Crisis.
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Chart of the Day: Half of US Banks Are Underwater.
Commodities:
WTI Extends Losses After Biden Admin Drains SPR By Most Since December.
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Global Rice Shortage Looms, Set To Be The Biggest In Decades.
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Norway’s Surprise Natural Gas Nationalization Plan Even Broader Than Expected.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
From Shares magazine (UK): Five ways to spot if inflation, deflation or stagflation is coming. JWR’s Comment: In early 2008, I mentioned in SurvivalBlog that simultaneous inflation and deflation are possible, and I was chided by some readers for it. But I stand by that assertion.
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Headline CPI Dips To 2-Year Low; Shelter Costs Roll Over.
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Richmond Fed: Inflation Staying Persistent.
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Inflation rates, worldwide. Life in Argentina must be painful.
Forex & Cryptos:
Central Bank Digital Currencies Are Unexpectedly Becoming a Presidential Election Issue.
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At Currency Thoughts: U.S. April CPI Figures Not Worse Than Expected, and That Just May Be Sufficient for Fed Policy to Pause.
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Should You Worry About Bitcoin Withdrawals On Exchanges? New Data Sheds Light. JWR’s Comments: Anyone with perspicacity is surely moving their crypto holding out of exchanges and into hardware wallets. That is simply common sense. Both regulation and taxation are looming. And undoubtedly it is at the exchanges where governments will crack down, first.
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US lawmakers hold EU and UK as examples of crypto regulation in joint hearing.
Tangibles Investing:
Bankrate: Housing market predictions for 2023. (Updated.)
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Want Free MLS Access? Read This.
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!