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 the continuing strong demand for RVs and camping trailers. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
Gold/silver ratio: why does silver suck?
o o o
Russia moving closer to a gold standard – official.
o o o
The Old Standard: Why Gold Is Beating Bitcoin In 2022.
Economy & Finance:
A major recession is coming, Deutsche Bank warns.
o o o
Death to the car dealership — the Tesla sales model is poised to take over America. A pericope:
“Massive industries don’t shift on a dime. These changes are likely to filter down over the next five years. But they will be dramatic and likely paralleling the auto business’ overall shift toward electric vehicles.
Begin with the demise of that 900-car lot. Dealers will have little choice to convert from shopping centers to test drive and ordering sites. The real estate of that suburban dealership Auto Row can be put to better use — the economics are simply too compelling.
There will no longer be a need for a 10-acre expanse of parked vehicles. Instead, that giant selection will be replaced by a few versions of each model. Buyers will make appointments for test drives, then order at a kiosk or online from home. You’ll see a repair center, perhaps a showroom and a smaller lot for trade-ins. You’re also likely to see micro dealerships popping up in more convenient locations, much in the same way Enterprise Rent-A-Car has expanded to neighborhood storefronts.”
o o o
C.B. sent us this: Robinhood lays off 9% of its staff.
o o o
California to raise its gas tax, already the highest in the nation.
o o o
Half of parents with children 18-plus still providing financial support: Survey.
o o o
New entrants push global hedge fund industry over $5 trillion threshold.
Commodities:
Reader C.B. sent us this: Russia’s Gazprom cutting off gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria for refusing to pay in rubles.
o o o
Farm Crisis Hits Dakotas As Floods Delay Plantings, May Trigger US Food Shortage.
o o o
OilPrice News reports:
o o o
Video interview: Fed Watcher that Predicted Super Inflation and War Says Famine Is Next.
o o o
And over at MunKNEE: Hoarding Nickels: Melt Value Of A Nickel Coin Is Now 8 Cents!
Inflation Watch:
Inflation spurs 40 percent of small businesses to hike prices: survey.
o o o
The Inflation Draining Your Wallet, Grocery Cart, And Gas Tank Is Far Steeper Than 8 Percent.
Forex & Cryptos:
ING Economics: Dollar Strength Is Here To Stay.
o o o
The Ruble bounces back: Central Bank of Russia Cuts Interest Rate Sharply Further.
o o o
Billy Bambrough, over at Forbes: Bitcoin And Crypto Now Braced For A $9 Trillion Fed Earthquake As The Price Of Ethereum, BNB, Solana, Cardano, XRP, Terra’s Luna And Avalanche Crater.
o o o
Bitcoin Halving Model Suggests $24,000 Bottom Before Year’s End.
o o o
Go green or go home? What the NY State mining moratorium could mean for crypto industry.
Tangibles Investing:
The RV Backlog Is Still Growing Two Years Into the Pandemic. Here is an excerpt:
“At Winnebago, the company reported a backlog of $4.1 billion in orders across the towable and motorhome segments, an increase of 55.2% for the former category and 21.9% for the latter compared to 2021. Among all the 17 brands at Thor, the company reported a $17.73 billion RV order backlog at the end of January, a 60% increase compared to January 2021.”
o o o
Seven Airstream Renovation Companies That’ll Take Your Vintage Cruiser to the Next Level.
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!