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, a year-end look at the gold markets. (See the Precious Metals section.)
Precious Metals:
Market speculators did their best to push down the prices of gold and silver this week, but they failed. Spot gold seems quite resiliently holding above $2,690, and silver above $30.75, per Troy ounce. I’m repeating my assertion that $30.50 is the new floor for silver. Any day that you can buy silver below $31 per Troy ounce is a bargain shopping day. – JWR
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Gold SWOT: J.P. Morgan Says Gold Is the Top Commodity to Buy in 2025.
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Here’s Why the Gold Price Responds to Uncertainty and Chaos…
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Trump Tariffs Will Trigger Global Trade War, with Gold and Silver Set to Benefit. (Full disclosure: Bullion Star is one of our occasional affiliate advertisers.)
Economy & Finance:
Reader Daniel K. sent this: Russia turns to bartering. JWR’s Comment: This is not a new phenomenon. Countertrade in tangible goods has been used extensively since the late 1940s by many countries, particularly those with hard currency problems.
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The Economic Times (of India)) reports: Shocking! Researchers say over half of U.S states are going bankrupt; here’s how that is going to affect average Americans.
JWR’s Comments: It comes as no surprise that the top of the list of financially troubled states is led by spendthrift Democrat-controlled “blue” states like Connecticut, New Jersey, Illinois, and Massachusetts. And, surprise, surprise, California, Rhode Island, and Blue Hawaii are all close behind them.
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November Jobs Report: All Net Job Growth in the Past Year Has Gone to Foreign-born Workers.
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Hershey’s faces takeover bid by rival snack giant. JWR’s Comments: Hershey also recently announced that they were planning to move the rest of their production to Mexico. I take particular interest in this company because my father was born in what was Hershey’s west-coast factory town: Oakdale, California. That plant was closed in 2016.
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At Zero Hedge: Biden Regime Quietly Revokes Veterans Hiring Preference For Civil Service Jobs.
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State’s new wage law destroys more than 6,000 jobs in fast food.
Commodities:
Bloomberg: Five Key Charts to Watch in Global Commodities This Week.
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Commodities weekly: Copper rises on China optimism; OPEC delay signals crude weakness.
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Reported by Wolf Street: Used-Vehicle Prices Turn into Inflation Headwind, after Historic 2-Year Plunge Helped Power the “Deceleration” of Core CPI.
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Citadel defies commodities slump to rack up $4 billion in gains.
Financial Privacy:
House Judiciary Committee interim report: FINANCIAL SURVEILLANCE IN THE UNITED STATES:HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WEAPONIZED THE BANK SECRECY ACTTO SPY ON AMERICANS.
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From The Washington Post: AI, huge hacks leave consumers facing a perfect storm of privacy perils.
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47% of US firms suffered data breaches resulting in severe financial loss.
Forex & Cryptos:
At Currency Thoughts: Dollar Pulled in Different Ways.
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NBC: Curious about bitcoin after it hit $100,000? Here’s what to know.
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Bitcoin’s $100,000 milestone attracts new investors, but risks loom large.
Tangibles Investing:
Some advice from my friend Commander Zero: Glock 17 Gen3 Cop Trade-ins $300.
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Palmetto State Armory (one of our affiliate advertisers) has some great specials in their “AR-15 Days of Christmas” sale, this week. One example: Toolcraft Logoed Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron AR-15 Bolt Carrier Groups with Carpenter 158 Bolts for just $99.99 each with free shipping. To find this deal, paste the SKU 5165449729 in their search box. They also have blemished PSA 11.5″ Carbine-Length 5.56 1/7″ Phosphate 10.5″ Barrel Lightweight M-LOK Uppers (with no BCG or CH), for just $179.99 each. To find this deal, paste the SKU 51655134067B in their search box.
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Stolen ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ are auctioned for $28 million.
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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!