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, we look at the American mortgage debt burden. (See the Economy & Finance section.)
Precious Metals:
The bull markets in precious metals is being driven by two factors: 1.) Central bank accumulation of physical metals and 2.) The insatiable demand at all levels in China (and elsewhere in Asia), because of gut-level distrust in The System. In India, for example, the Reserve Bank of India has doubled their physical gold holdings in just the past 30 months, to nearly 880 metric tons. That was not a decision that came out of the blue. It is a carefully calculated hedge against debt paper, and it required a quite substantial investment. That level of commitment (seen replicated around the world) tells me that we are at the beginning of a secular bull market in precious metals that will last at least a decade. So, keep stacking folks, especially silver, platinum, and palladium. Those metals are the relative bargains, in today’s market. – JWR
o o o
Ian Salisbury, at Barron’s: that may show up behind a paywall for some readers: Gold Prices Are Crushing Silver. Why That Could Change Soon.
o o o
I’ve never been a chartist, but here is some very interesting chartistry, over at Gold-Eagle.com: Bullish Blueprint: Precious Metals Surge – How Strong is the Trend?
Economy & Finance:
Reader H.L. recommended this article: National Mortgage Debt Tops $12.6 Trillion Amid Rising Rates and Costs. Here are the article’s opening lines:
“A new WalletHub report indicates that total national mortgage debt is now over $12.6 trillion, with the average American household currently owing $105,000 on their mortgages. The report blames rising interest rates and housing costs for making home ownership more challenging.”
JWR Asks: Cui bono? Oh, the banksters, again. Funny how that keeps happening, with such regularity.
o o o
The Fed Is Wrong… And It’s Going to Cost Investors a Fortune.
o o o
Reported on Tuesday: S&P 500 closes higher Tuesday, wiping out 2025 loss, as Nvidia surges.
o o o
The Whatfinger.com news aggregation site cross-posted this from Zero Hedge: US Treasury Shocks With Second Biggest Budget Surplus In History.
Commodities:
CBS News: These Chinese-made products could soon be hard to find in the U.S.. JWR’s Comments: Pardon the pun, but if the tariffs on China are not dropped, then I’m predicting a run on athletic shoes. There could even be some panic shoe-buying, this summer — perhaps even well before the back-to-school shopping season. All it would take is a subtle shift in public perception, and folks will shift to the equivalent of Toilet Paper Panic Mode.
o o o
Vincent sent this: Record Beef Prices Poised to Hit Consumers This Summer.
o o o
US Ferrous Scrap Metal Prices: 2025 Market Outlook and Trends.
o o o
From OilPrice News: Halliburton, Schlumberger Brace for the Next Oil Slump.
o o o
Shell Game: Inside The Worldwide TNT Shortage.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
Inflation eased after Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, defying fears.
o o o
Argentina inflation seen slowing in April, reviving downward trend.
o o o
Deflation Risks Grow as China’s Prices Keep Falling. An excerpt:
“The 2.7 % fall in producer prices, the steepest in six months, extends an unparalleled 31-month deflationary streak. Given the tight correlation between Chinese producer prices and import prices in countries such as the United States and Germany, prolonged PPI weakness risks exporting disinflation abroad. Tentative relief may come from the weekend’s constructive US-China trade talks, which ease fears of further escalation and could stabilise external demand for Chinese goods.”
o o o
Current Inflation Rates, by country. JWR’s Comment: Not surprisingly, Zimbabwe, Turkey, and Iran top the list.
Forex & Cryptos:
Global Shift to Bypass the Dollar Is Gaining Momentum in Asia. JWR’s Comments: The U.S. has enjoyed a strong global Dollar trading advantage for nearly 80 years. That cannot last forever.
o o o
At Currency Thoughts: Second Thoughts About Monday’s Euphoria as Spotlight Shines on Price Data.
o o o
From Zero Hedge: Bitcoin Treasury Exposure Goes Mainstream As Coinbase Soars On Joining The S&P 500.
o o o
Taiwan eyes Bitcoin as hedge against inflation and US Treasury exposure.
Tangibles Investing:
When will the housing market crash again?
o o o
From Newsweek: Texas Faces Major Housing Market Correction as Prices Drop Across State.
o o o
Here is our featured Pre-1899 Gun Of The Week, at Elk Creek Company: Original Swiss Vetterli Model 1881 Bolt Action Military Rifle. (Five of our Vetterli rifles have sold in recent weeks, but we still have a few available.)
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!