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 SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at investing in discontinued Seiko Alpinist watches. (See the Tangibles Investing section at the end of this column.)
Precious Metals:
The “Means That Matter” Point To Correction – Bloomberg Intelligence
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The vast gold hoards held by Germany’s population
Economy & Finance:
CNBC: The Fed Is Considering Another Version of ‘Quantitative Easing’. Here is a quote:
“Federal Reserve officials are considering a new program that would allow banks to exchange Treasurys for reserves, a move aimed at ensuring liquidity during difficult times that also would help the central bank decrease the size of its nearly $4 trillion balance sheet.
The so-called standing repo facility is in its early discussion phases. Respected St. Louis Fed economists David Andolfatto and Jane Ihrig have authored two papers on the plan, which they say would ease the regulatory burden for banks that feel pressured into holding ultra-safe assets.
In some quarters, the idea is viewed as a natural extension of current Fed policy. Others, though, think it in essence could be a repackaged form of quantitative easing and thus yet another iteration of the Fed’s decade long tinkering in financial markets.”
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JPMorgan: We Are Fast Approaching The Point Where Banks Run Out Of Liquidity
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Are Australian And American Property Markets To Crash Like Ireland?
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Former congressman Ron Paul: (Government) Spending is Theft
Commodities:
Nick Cunningham: Oil Volatility Spikes On Rampant Uncertainty.
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The Slow Death Of Californian Oil & Gas
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Is This A Gamechanger For The Lithium Industry? The article begins:
“2018 was a terrible year for commodities, but few sectors fared as badly as lithium.
The crucial battery metal, also known as “White petroleum”, struggled through a 50 percent price correction as supply soared and demand fears spread like wildfire.
But it isn’t time to give up on lithium stocks just yet.
The rising stars of the hard-rock lithium space are transforming the industry with their remarkable ability to extract lithium at a lower cost and faster pace than the lithium majors can from their brine deposits. In short, there’s a new caliber of producer in town and – with lithium demand set to soar once again – their timing could not be better.”
Cryptos:
Why Bitcoin Could Be Headed To $10,000 And Then A Lot Higher After That. An excerpt:
“Bitcoin has just gone through one of its most tumultuous bear markets in history. Bitcoin prices tumbled by as much as 85%, and many altcoins crashed by 95-99%. The cryptocurrency complex experienced a price collapse of nearly 90%, dropping from over $800 billion at its peak to just $100 billion when the bottom hit.
However, since the late 2018 bottom, prices of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general have moved substantially higher, strongly suggesting that a new bull market began last December.”
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View Ads, Get BAT: Brave Delivers on ICO Promise of Paid Web Browsing
Tangibles Investing (Seiko Alpinist Watches):
The Seiko “Alpinist” model SARB017 men’s wristwatch was discontinued in 2018. This a 200 meter-rated water resistant watch with a green dial. Many dealers still have some of these on hand, often at closeout prices — under $500. They are both practical watches for survivalists, and a good investment. I predict that in a few years, collectors will bid them up well beyond their normal $723 retail price. Even if you plan to wear yours daily, be sure to save the original box and papers. I’d also recommend immediately removing the original factory leather band and replacing it with a nylon band. (Setting aside the impractical original band will add a lot to the watch’s resale value.)
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!
Saying that the Fed ‘tinkers’ with financial markets is like saying that the U.S. ‘tinkered’ with Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945 !
Thanks. I needed a laugh!
That was a good one!
The Slow Death Of Californian Oil & Gas
And
Is This A Gamechanger For The Lithium Industry?
Nice juxtaposition. Hint: There is a generational investment in here somewhere if you are young enough.
The “news’ keeps saying that the markets are making new all time highs. On a percent basis this is questionable. It could actually be a dangerous double top from which, when it happens, a pullback usually exceeds the prior low, in this case the pullback was 20 percent from the prior top, now resistance, so if meaningfully new highs aren’t achieved pretty soon a very nasty downdraft would likely ensue. Just another tricky spot.
I scored one on the cheap recently. I will not disagree with it maybe increasing in value. We typically don’t buy Seiko’s because they increase in value, or rather it takes quite awhile. I recommend Seiko’s because a Seiko dive watch is without doubt one of the most robust rugged watches for the buck. It could quite easily be the last watch you’ll buy. I see them all the time from the Viet Nam era, still ticking away. I have suggested them to peeps when asked about what watch to buy and always recommend a Seiko diver. They are that tough, and glow like 3 mile island(A reference for the older reader). Stainless steel and automatic movement, just makes sense…as always YMMV
Having read this I thought it was really enlightening.
I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together.
I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!