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 Hyperinflation in Venezuela. (See the Economy and Finance section.)
Precious Metals:
First off, over at Zero Hedge: Gold ETF Holdings Surge To 4-Year Highs Ahead Of Lunar New Year
Forex:
Just as I have been warning you for several years in this column: It’ll be another weak year for the US dollar, Goldman Sachs predicts. It is wise to hedge into foreign currencies. For stability over the next several years, the Swiss Franc is still my favorite.
Commodities:
Alcoa Headwinds Vs. Constellium Tailwinds
Economy and Finance:
Reader Chris F. sent this dire news: ‘We loot or we die of hunger’: food shortages fuel unrest in Venezuela. Hyperinflation isn’t just some conjecture from speculative novels, like mine. This is grim reality, folks.
The inflation rate in Venezuela presently around 7,000%, annually. Ten years ago, a 20 Bolivar note would have bought you a nice lunch. Today, they’re being used for kindling. (Their exchange value is about one one-hundreth of a cent.)
For further reading:
Economic crisis means tough start to 2018 for Venezuelans
and,
You can’t get $1 out of the bank in Venezuela. I tried.
Tangibles Investing:
This article dates back 11 years and was directed to a British audience, but it is still sound advice: How to Make a Killing from First Editions
o o o
And finally, this at Bloomberg: This Rare Bear Who Called the Crash Warns Housing Is Too Hot Again
Fiscal Insanity:
At FoxNews: California Dems propose surcharge on businesses to fund social programs. JWR’s Comments: In the next decade, after a good portion of the productive and tax-paying people have left California, the State will surely go bankrupt. It will be like the Detroit Experience, but on a grand scale. The liberal hand-wringers will then probably ask: “How could this have happened?”
Provisos:
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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!
Re: Kalifornia
Wetherby just announced it is relocating it’s manufacturing and head office to Wyoming!!!!!!
Wonder who’s going to be next?
Regarding the proposed surcharge in California. California is a sh*thole. If it weren’t for Disneyland and Yosemite, no one would go there.
California is beautiful, varied and full of incredible natural resources. Which IMO is why it is full of parasites.
Detroit is much the same. There is good reason it was such a successful place at one time. Great land, transportation, resources. And then it filled up with parasites.
Please don’t take my words to mean all people in those places are parasites. Most are not. But the parasitic load is high and largely ruins it for the others.
But nothing changes the reasons those places and others were great. The natural resources and other advantages are still there. Someday the parasitic load may be reduced and those places, and other similar ones may thrive again. Who knows?
It’s about time for California to break up. The State of Jefferson first, then the State of East California, and finally the State of Southern California. Then push the little state of California out of the union. Oh, and build a wall around it.
The housing market analysts are in a fantasy land. $250k “starter homes” for millenials(anyone under 65 is now a millenial)that either can’t get a decent job or is drownding in student loan debt and both are in the babyboomers basement. Existing homes are viewed as unliveable and not up to standards. The reinflation of the debt bubble is being ignored and another bust is coming,with even more walkaways from upside down mortages.