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. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at strong U.S. Mint gold sales. (See the Precious Metals section.)
Precious Metals:
U.S. Mint sees strongest gold coin sales in 12 years, sells 1.25 million ounces in 2021.
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What To Expect In 2022 From The Precious Metals Sector.
Economy & Finance:
Ford Posts 7 Percent Fall in 2021 US Auto Sales.
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At Zero Hedge: FOMC Minutes Preview: Look For Rate Hike Clues.
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Not enough U-Haul trucks for fleeing Californians in 2021 amid ongoing blue-to-red flight: report.
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“Year Of The Super Billionaire” – World’s Richest Earned More Than $1 Trillion In 2021.
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Reader C.B. sent this news item: Inefficient California ports cost farmers billions.
Commodities:
European NatGas Prices Soar As Supply Constraints From Russia Build.
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WTI Slides Back Below $78 As Gasoline Demand Plunges.
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Will Hydrogen Finally Live Up To The Hype?
Taxes:
Tightening the screws: Venmo, PayPal, Cash App Must Report Payments of $600 or More to the IRS. JWR’s Comment: If this makes you uncomfortable, then just wait until there is an eDollar sovereign crypto with full transparency of all transactions to the government.
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The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): The first $112,000 is tax-free.
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The Tax Foundation has published this: 2022 Tax Brackets. JWR’s Comment: One side defect of inflation is tax bracket creep. If inflation starts to really gallop, then we’ll soon all be millionaires, and paying taxes in the top brackets.
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Biden’s Build Back Better will hike taxes on 30% of middle-class families.
Forex & Cryptos:
The forces that are expected to propel the Aussie dollar higher in 2022 and the Kiwi dollar with it. JWR’s Comment: Currency strength can be expected in 2022 for many other nations with strong commodities exports.
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From vlogger Joe Blogs: TURKEY ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE – NO FOREX RESERVES, Inflation & Energy Prices UP 100%+, Lira DOWN 40%.
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H.L. sent this: Hundreds of Salvadorians say Bitcoin has vanished from their government-issued centralized “Chivo” wallets. H.L.’s Comment: Anything that is on the Internet and that has no physical presence can disappear.
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U.S. Mining Company Marathon Now Holds 8,133 BTC. And They’re Not Selling It.
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Bitcoin ETF decision delayed, SEC commissioner wonders why.
Tangibles Investing:
Cost Of Building A Home Headed Back Up As Lumber Rips Higher To Finish 2021.
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This was published in November: What to expect in the 2022 used car market.
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A close friend wrote to mention:
“In December of 2015, I bought the G0791 gunsmithing lathe/mill combo from Grizzly. The price then was $3,995 + $264 shipping. I recently ordered a spare part for it and saw their new prices. As of January 2021, it is $7,525 + $399 shipping. That is just under a 100% price increase in six years. Or it could be seen as the purchasing power of the Dollar decreasing by 50% in that same time.”
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. And it need not be only about commodities and precious metals. Thanks!