Here are the latest 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 JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on the long-banned R-12 refrigerant. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
U.S. Mint Posts Weakest Coin Sales In A Decade As Gold Prices Rise
Stock Markets:
A record year for the S&P 500: The index finished 2017 with 12 months of gains
Commodities:
Oil Hits Highest Since Mid-2015, Then Dips
Economy and Finance:
Venezuela oil-backed cryptocurrency to launch in days, government says
o o o
ECB may end bond buying in 2018 if economy stays strong: Nowotny
Cryptocurrencies:
Next, over at The Wall Street Journal, we read: Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund Makes Monster Bet on Bitcoin
Tangibles Investing (R-12 Refrigerant):
Back in 2007, I mentioned stockpiling canisters of R-12 refrigerant. (Which had been banned from U.S. production, since 1995.) In 2007, you could still find 12 ounce canisters at garage sales and flea markets for under $10 each. They are now priced at $30+ each. A new Federal regulation that went into effect on January 1st, 2018 requires a license to buy larger containers of even the “ozone safe” equivalent refrigerants. There is a still a thriving gray market in R-12, primarily among Classic Car buffs. This is possible because of a Grandfather Clause. I predict that in another 10 years, a canister will fetch $90 (or the equivalent in Bitcoin.) I suppose that anyone with any one with one of the 1970s-vintage R-12 powered BB machineguns is now out of luck. (Or will they work with R-134A canisters?)
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. So 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!