Here are the latest news 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.) The 116th Congress will be seated tomorrow. Hang on to your wallets, and your guns! Today’s focus is on the recent stock market volatility. (See the Stocks section.)
Precious Metals:
Gold: Beating the Stock Market for the Month, Quarter, Year…and Century
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Clive Maund: Gold Market Update
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Ron Paul’s Greatest Interview: Gold, Silver, Freedom, Free Markets, & Sound Money – Mike Maloney
Economy & Finance:
2019 Economy Almost Certain to Slow Down From 2018 ‘Year on Steroids’
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At Zero Hedge: What States Are Doing To Offer More Currency Competition In 2019
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Five New Tax Hikes, Fees In New Jersey Start Now
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More retailers are banning cash
Stocks (Stock Market Volatility)
Where will the stock markets be heading in 2019? There are indicators. Many experts agree: Watch interest rates.
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Next, a collection of video clips from the perma-bulls at CNN: The stock market’s wild ride
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Bear Market Alert: The US Treasury Yield Curve AGAIN Menaces Inversion
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Motley Fool: Will the Stock Market Volatility Continue in 2019? Of course he ever-bullish Motley Fool editors cooed: “Nevertheless, long-term investors should not fret over near-term price swings. Market volatility is part and parcel of investing and should not impact long-term returns. Investors who are in it for the long run should continue to stay the course.” Yeah, right.
Forex & Cryptos:
Wolf Street reports: US Dollar Status as Global Reserve Currency? Here is an illuminating quote: “The other major reserve currencies don’t have a ‘major’ share. The combined share of the dollar and the euro, at 82.4%, leaves only 17.6% for all other currencies combined. The two currencies with the largest share in that group are the Japanese yen, at 5.0%, and the UK pound sterling, at 4.5%.”
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The US Dollar value of Bitcoin bounced around mostly under $3,720, on January 1st. I cane foresee that stronger regulation and taxation by governments all around the world will put more pressure on private cryptos, in 2019.
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Suspected Electricity Thief Arrested After Mining $3 Million in Bitcoin, Ether
Tangibles Investing:
I’ve written before about sports memorabilia as an uncertain investment. I stand by this position. While there is still considerable interest in true golden age baseball trading cards, those from the late 1980s and onwards are still mostly poor investments, because they were mass-produced. Caveat emptor!
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!
I’ve been to a few places that banned cash. Most recently did some training near Ground Zero, in New York City. I am not a huge fan of business licenses. With that being said, if a business takes a license from the government, and that government print dollars that are good for all debts public and private, wouldn’t this be a violation of that business license and be grounds for a lawsuit?
I’ve been reading that several states are putting laws into effect that will disallow businesses from banning cash. I don’t remember for sure but I think the links to articles can be found at LewRockwell.com. That would be older posts from the past week. Either in their main articles or in their Political Theater section.
It seems that banning cash is mostly effecting the poor and senior citizens. Makes it difficult for these folks to function if we have a cashless society.
Over 35% of Americans are still using and prefer the use of cash. Credit cards are for big things and debit cards are for getting cash at the bank’s indoor ATM, period.