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.
Precious Metals:
First up, at The SGT Report: Silver Bullion Sales Surge: Premiums Spike & Wait Times For Products Reaching 4-5 Weeks. JWR’s Comment: Locally, I’m seeing 1-ounce silver U.S. Mint American Eagles selling for $14 over spot! If you can find some physical silver at lower premiums, then jump on it!
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Now is the time to be overweight gold – NDR’s Tim Hayes.
Economy & Finance:
Russia’s war in Ukraine may ‘fundamentally alter’ global economic, political order – IMF
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At Wolf Street: But Whose Money Evaporated when JP Morgan, BlackRock, Pimco, Calpers, Others Report Huge Losses on Russian Assets?
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How much will the Fed raise interest rates in 2022? Here’s what experts are saying.
Commodities:
Last week, the commodities markets experiences the biggest jump in prices recorded in the past 60 years. On average, commodities surged 12%, in just one week!
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LME nickel trading has resumed after an unprecedented 10-day halt. Here is a quote:
“The London Metal Exchange said trading in nickel contracts would resume on Wednesday, a week after trading was halted following large wrong-way trades by a metal producer in China.
Trading was halted March 8, the first time the LME suspended a market since 1985. Tsingshan Holding Group Co. Ltd., a large producer, effectively had made a big wager against the price of nickel. It faced large losses when prices for the metal, used in stainless steel and batteries, surged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
When the market did re-open, it was only briefly. The headline read: Systems error triggers fresh chaos as LME suspends nickel trading once again.
I expect to see some profit-taking by nickel traders, next week. But with Bidenflation, I don’t expect to ever again see nickel below $15,000 USD per metric ton.
Note that this year may be your last chance to acquire U.S. nickel 5-cent coins at face value. Once the U.S. Mint formally drops the Nickel from circulation or replaces it with a debased token, Nickels will be hoarded by the general public. So, stack them deep! – JWR
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Meanwhile, in Australia: Commodity prices are soaring and inflation is rising. Should interest rates start increasing too?
Inflation Watch:
At The Federalist: The Ruling Class’s Response To Inflation Tells You It’s Only Going To Get Worse.
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LPL Research: Shorter-term Inflation Expectations Rise Dramatically.
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At The WSJ: Will Inflation Stay High for Decades? One Influential Economist Says Yes.
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Will grocery store prices rise in 2022?
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At Wolf Street: Americans Make Huge Efforts to Keep up with Raging Prices.
Forex & Cryptos:
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Rand Strength May be Fading as Fed Tightening Looks to Fortify USD.
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Because of complaints of fraud, Hamas bans forex in Gaza.
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FED Announcement Pushes Bitcoin Price Up, Will BTC Sustain Momentum?
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Ukraine’s president signs law establishing regulatory framework for crypto.
Tangibles Investing:
A preview of Ameica’s inflationary future? Stockpiling Russians buy electronics, pharmacy goods as crisis deepens – PSB.
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I just noticed that Palmetto State Armory (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running a Saint Patrick’s Day Week special on their M4 uppers and lowers with olive drab furniture: $299 for a complete upper (SKU 51655105197) and $139 for a complete lower (SKU 7779347). An FFL is of course required, to order a lower. These are a great hedge on inflation. So I suggest that you buy several sets, to tuck in the corners of your vault. Your grand-kids will thank you for it!
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!