Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on the future of cryptocurrencies. (See the Cryptos section.)
Precious Metals:
It is noteworthy that when I last checked, spot silver was at $14.73 and gold was at $1,207 per troy ounce. That is a ratio of 81.94-to-1. A ratio this high is unusual. We saw roughly this same silver-to-gold ratio in June of 2003 and again in December of 2008. (The lowest ratio in the past 10 years was in April of 2011, with a ratio of just 31.5-to-1.) For those with any interest in ratio trading, I believe that now is great time to swap gold for silver. In my estimation, the upside for silver is substantially better than for gold.
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Money, Fake Money And Sound Money
Cryptos (Future of Cryptocurrencies):
This was published back in April, but is still largely accurate: Cryptocurrency regulation in 2018: Where the world stands right now
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Cryptocurrency Regulation Update (August 2018)
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Video at CNBC: Ten experts debate bitcoin’s recent declines and the future of cryptocurrency
Economy & Finance:
Here is an important piece to ponder, over at Wolf Street: US Yield-Curve Looks Hell-Bent on Inverting, “Flattest” Since Aug 2007
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No, impeachment will not crash the stock market
Derivatives:
ISDA White Paper: Initial Margin for Non-Centrally Cleared Derivatives: Issues for 2019 and 2020
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Bank of England attacks EU over $38 trillion Brexit risk
Tangibles Investing:
Actually, the Classic Wristwatch Will Always Be Popular
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Stock Market Vs. Real Estate: The Right Approach For Passive Income Investors
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 of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who particularly watch individual markets. And due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” investing news. We often get the scoop on economic and investing news that is probably ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
re: Gold for Silver
I always thought silver coins would be easier to deal with than gold in a SHTF situation. Hard to make change when buying a tomato or a dozen eggs with an ounce of gold. The traditional denominations (dimes, quarters, 50 cent pieces, morgan dollars) in pre-1964 coins might be recognized by most people, even if paper money became worthless.
“hard to make change when a tomato or a dozen eggs with an ounce of gold.”
if things deteriorate to the point of using gold to buy anything then a dozen eggs will cost an ounce of gold, with no change.
My belief is that in a SHTF situation the value on the coin, silver or gold, will not matter that much as we will quickly revert to the barter system for the majority of things with any value. The value of an oz. or 1/2 oz. of silver or gold will end up being driven by the necessity and abundance of the item in question and the sellers/traders need for the silver or gold.
Either way it will be an unpleasant time.
Even in a barter system you’ll need a medium of exchange. In a pure barter system it becomes very difficult to match up trades and that why it is difficult to maintain such a system. Silver and gold has its place and 90% silver coin is highly recognized and difficult/expensive to counterfeit in dime, quarter and half dollar denominations. It won’t be the only medium if exchange but it should be commonly accepted.