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’s focus: Inflation or Deflation? (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.)
Precious Metals:
Sprott: Silver Price Dip: Temporary or a Major Trend? Is Gold Next as Tariffs Shake Markets?
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Households urged to check jewelry insurance coverage after gold prices surge.
Economy & Finance:
From the WSJ: Americans Are Sitting on a Cash Pile as Stocks Reel.
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A lecture that provides some serious food for thought and grounds for further research: Exposing the Secret Financial Coup – Catherine Austin Fitts.
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Paul Joseph Watson: Something Strange Is Happening: The Truth About The Tariffs.
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At Whatfinger: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Just Warned China They’re Bluffing—and Holding a Losing Hand China threatened more tariffs after Trump hit back with his own. But Bessent says they’re playing poker with a pair of twos. JWR’s Comments: I must warn my readers: Pay attention to the markets, but watch with a jaundiced eye all of the flailings and histrionics of Jim Cramer and MSNBC’s flock of turkeys. And some of the conservative market pundits have their own biases. Regardless of the source, always consider whether “independent market analysis” might be politically driven or otherwise skewed.
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Over at Zero Hedge: Dismal, 3Y Auction Has 3rd Biggest Tail On Record, Only Covid, SVB Worse.
Commodities:
Trade War Sparks Copper Price Plunge and Mining Sector Turmoil.
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Reported on Monday: Manic start to the week for metals markets.
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Oil drops to four-year low, metals fall on recession fears.
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From OilPrice News: Oil Price Plunge Could Severely Impact Russia’s Economy.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
GeoVest Advisors: The Cycle Returns April 2025. Here is an excerpt:
“With the US Congress unwilling to keep increasing government debt and the new Administration actively working to cut government expenses, the table is set for a very sharp rally in long term bonds. Unlike 2021, the US government has already maxed out its credit card which means the only avenue left to support a weakening US economy is to slash interest rates aggressively.
The world is already in the grips of deflation. Both Germany and China are experiencing declining consumer prices. With China, its deflation is getting worse despite the People’s Bank of China injecting 20% new money in 2023! That’s money printing.
The Swiss Central Bank has already cut interest rates to 0.25%. This suggests that investors are flocking to Switzerland for safety. Switzerland is a small country, so they can be easily over-run by those seeking capital protection.
In addition, the Swiss Central Bank tries to keep the Swiss franc largely in parity with the European euro for trade reasons. Germany is considered the safest large economy in Europe and their overnight rate is 2.27%. You would think an arbitrage trade is possible where investors borrow in Swiss francs near 0% and buy German bonds above 2% but it’s not happening.”
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Fed’s priority should be to keep inflation in check: Kugler.
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Turkey’s annual inflation falls to 38.1 percent.
Forex & Cryptos:
USD to EUR Chart. (The 10-Year chart gives the big picture.)
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At Currency Thoughts: Little Respite for Worried Investors.
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Bitcoin soared on Trump’s win, but tariffs reversed the rally.
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Bill Ackman calls for 60-day tariff timeout amid market rebound.
Tangibles Investing:
Patriot Nurse: Our Dream Became a Nightmare.
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Trouble in the South: These 42 housing markets are seeing falling home prices.
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Palmetto State Armory (one of our affiliate advertisers) has some great specials in their “Daily Deals” this week.
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!