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 modern-day alchemy. (See the Precious Metals section.)
Precious Metals:
Gold And Silver Coin Premiums – How Low Can They Go?
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At Gold-Eagle.com: Gold’s Days of Extreme Volatility.
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Turning mercury into gold? Nuclear reactors may revive ancient dream of alchemy. JWR’s Comment: What the author of this article fails to mention is the millions of dollars required for the initial Tokamak plasma reactor infrastructure, and then the high operational costs. The per-ounce cost of the first few ounces would probably be in excess of a million dollars. And even with regular production, the per-ounce cost of producing gold by this method would surely be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
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The Federal Reserve’s recent FOMC meeting with a “decision to not make a decision” — leaving interest rates locked in a fairly high range — resulted in a short-term sell-off in silver. Look at this dip as a buying opportunity. Asian buying is still quite strong, so I expect silver to be selling at more than $40 per Troy ounce by the end of the year. Keep stacking, especially at dips like this. – JWR
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Some wisdom from our friend Commander Zero: Gold At Spot.
Economy & Finance:
Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Trump and Ursula von der Leyen to meet for high stakes trade talks as clock ticks on tariff deadline. JWR’s Comments: Don’t let this news reporting fool you. Treaties, military alliances, and international trade agreements are almost always quietly negotiated in detail months in advance of state visits and photo opportunities. Trump’s trip to Europe is more for window dressing than it is for actual “trade talks.”
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At Zero Hedge: Trump, EU Reach Tariff Deal To Avoid Trade War.
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Divided Fed holds key interest rate steady, defying Trump’s demands for aggressive cuts.
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BNP PARIBAS: The updated scenario and forecasts of the Economic Research – 25 July 2025.
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U.S. economy saw stronger but uneven growth, higher inflation in July: S&P surveys.
Taxes:
Trump Tax Brackets: Will Your Tax Rate Change Under the New Plan?
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Washington state enacts broad tax increases.
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State income tax law changes for the second quarter of 2025.
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Meanwhile, in Europe: Von der Leyen calls for new EU taxes on big firms in €2 trillion budget proposal.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
Welcome to the Grocery Store Where Prices Change 100 Times a Day. JWR’s Comment: This technology will be just the ticket for retailers in times of hyperinflation.
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This chart shows how prices have gone up because of Trump’s tariffs.
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USDA: Food Price Outlook – Summary Findings.
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Ground Beef Just Hit $6.10 a Pound — Here’s Why Prices Are Surging.
Forex & Cryptos:
Reuter’s: Dollar’s dive offsets tariff sting for some US bellwethers.
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At Currency Thoughts: Dollar Opens an Important Week on a Rising Note.
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ING: Strong franc leaves the Swiss National Bank in a bind.
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Colombian peso set to be a regional underperformer.
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Ethereum’s 30% rally fueled by policy clarity and ETF momentum.
Tangibles Investing:
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Our featured Pre-1899 Gun Of The Week, at Elk Creek Company: Brass Frame Pietta (CVA) M1858 Remington .44 — Unfired.
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!