Category: Economics & Investing

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 risk of a recession or an economic depression, in 2024. Precious Metals: The gold-to-platinum ratio continues to further escape reality. When I last checked (Thursday, December 21, 2023), with spot gold at $2,057.80 and spot platinum at $982.90, the ratio stood at 2.093-to-1.  Historically, platinum has sold at a premium above …

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 Costco’s gold sales boom. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: Costco Just Sold More Than $100 Million in Gold in One Quarter. The article begins: “In a surprising turn of events, Costco has struck gold with online shoppers, raking in more than $100 million in sales of the precious metal during …

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 some rumored ammunition price increases. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: The big swings in the precious metals markets are continuing. After hitting an all-time last week, spot gold took a dive back into the high $1,980s range, on profit-taking. When I checked on Wednesday morning, spot gold had recovered to …

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,  another look at the Swiss Watch market. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Radomski: The Most Important Analogy for the Markets, Including Gold. o  o  o Neils Christensen: The gold market has a big hill to climb as prices lose 3% after hitting all-time highs. o  o  o The world’s largest silver producers in …

Introductory Note: This is an update to a topic that I’ve covered for several years. The gravity of the risk described cannot be overstated. — The attention of the world’s financial press seems to have drifted away from incisive finance reporting on mainland China. Last year’s Evergrande and Kaisa crises briefly attracted considerable attention, but given the Chinese Communist Party’s typical press stonewalling, journalists naturally began to concentrate on other news. The media spotlight may have shifted, but the systemic risk in China has not subsided. There is still a huge risk of both a general banking collapse and a …

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 rise of spot and futures gold prices. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals Gold continues to roar! After hitting an intraday all-time high of $2,119.50 USD per Troy ounce on Sunday night (December 4th, 2023) — which was Monday morning, in Asia — gold settled down in the $2,020/oz. range. …

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 examine the recent rally in the gold and silver markets. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: Gold prices ignore Powell’s hawkish stance as prices surge to session highs above $2,050.  JWR’s Comment:  Yes, the metals are indeed looking bullish!  I noted these figures, from after-hours trading on Friday evening (December 1st, 2023): Gold …

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance, and the factors that affected gold prices. What Did Gold Do in November? Gold prices began November trending around $1,990 before falling to a monthly low of $1,938 on the 10th. Prices then began a strong rally to break above $2,000 by the 21st, then hit successive six-month highs as it broke above $2,050, considered the last major resistance point before hitting all-time highs. Closing gold prices for November peaked on the 28th, …

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 a possible rise in the Argentine Peso. (See the Forex and Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: Both silver and gold appear to be building a base for a price breakout in the new year.  I’m also bullish on platinum, although the more “industrial” price of platinum may dip as we slip into the …

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 look at higher beef prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Coin News reported this: 2023 U.S. Mint Gold Sales Outpace 2022 by October; Silver Sales Leap. o  o  o Platinum deficit forecast for 2023 now over 1 million ounces on strong automotive and industrial demand growth and flat supply.  JWR’s Comment:  As I’ve …

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 unfolding commercial real estate market collapse. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Key segments of the silver market to see 42% growth through 2033 – Oxford Economics. o  o  o It bears mentioning that spot and futures silver prices have recently started going through some larger price swings. Last Tuesday, …

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, another look at “Shrinkflation”. (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch: section.) Precious Metals: Metals on the Move: Silver breakout signals next run to $50. o  o  o Gold prices may need clear signal of Fed cuts to break $2000, industrial silver demand set to rise – Heraeus. Economy & Finance: SurvivalBlog reader K.B. sent this: Why Banks …