Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at food and fuel price inflation. (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.)
Precious Metals:
The gold-to-platinum ratio is now seriously off-kilter. Now is a good time to ratio trade out of gold and into platinum, for at least a small part of your holdings.
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Over at Gold-Eagle.com: Gold to Break $2100 This Spring.
Economy & Finance:
From Newsmax: $1T in Credit Card Debt Puts Renters, Poor at Risk.
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The Chinese stock market is continuing to tumble. (Beware of contagion.)
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H.L. suggested this at the Mises Institute site: Are Bankruptcies of Some US States in the Future?
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NYC to offer migrants $53 million in pre-paid credit cards, report says. JWR’s Comment: If New York City wants to discourage the arrival of more illegals there, then perhaps handing out free money is not a good idea…
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The US has a $6 trillion problem over the next twelve months.
Commodities:
US Cattle Herd Shrinks to 73-Year-Low in Blow for Beef Lovers.
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Reuters: Analysts see weak demand dragging on base metals in 2024.
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2024 Agricultural Commodity Prices and Market Outlook.
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From OilPrice News: U.S. and Iran Locked in a Dangerous Game of Brinkmanship.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
After years of grocery inflation, will prices rise this year? Experts chime in. A quote:
“In 2021, the price of groceries and food at restaurants spiked 11%, the largest increase since the 1980s, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Even with the more modest grocery inflation in 2023, the price of certain items continued to climb. Steaks, for example, rose 11.2% and ground beef went up 6.7%.”
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Forbes: U.S. Inflation Trends And Outlook In 2024.
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Inflation has fallen. Why are groceries still so expensive?
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New Car Price Trends in 2024 (Updated Monthly)
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What to expect in 2024: Fed pivot, cooling inflation, easing growth.
Forex & Cryptos:
At Currency Thoughts: Significant Rise in Long-Term Sovereign Debt Yields to Start the Week.
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SEC delays Fidelity ethereum ETF as crypto community turns to new deadlines.
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Crypto Winter In Spain? New Taxes Target Digital Assets.
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Indian Government Rejects Binance’s Plea to Resume Operations, Demands PMLA Compliance.
Tangibles Investing:
Norada: Housing Prices Are Predicted to Fall in 2024: A Bold Forecast.
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Washington State Democrats: Using Ammo A ‘Privilege’ That Needs To Be Taxed.
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. Thanks!