Precious metals news

Gold and silver are up again this week and poised to sail away once the Fed lowers interest rates. Joel and JD discuss recent price action, meme stocks, Fed policy, and what to look out for before prices rise further.

Last week, Peter debated Steve Hanke, professor of economics at Johns Hopkins University, on inflation, the debt crisis, and the future of the dollar. David Lin hosted the debate on The David Lin Report and provided moderation for the event. While Peter and Hanke have their disagreements, both ultimately agree that the United States is in rough fiscal and monetary shape, and terrible monetary policy played a key role in getting it there.

Silver has taken the spotlight, soaring to $30 per ounce and outpacing gold's gains this year. While gold's record-setting rally grabbed headlines, silver's surge, driven by strong financial and industrial demand, has made it one of the top-performing commodities of 2024. The gold-to-silver ratio, which currently stands at about 80 ounces of silver to one ounce of gold, indicates that silver remains relatively undervalued compared to its precious metal counterpart. With industrial applications such as clean-energy technologies fueling demand, silver is expected to continue its upward trajectory, potentially tightening supplies even further and cementing its position as the more dynamic metal in the market.

The US national debt is so out of control that, ironically enough, even the Federal Reserve chair has expressed concern about the problem. And while America is among the top contributors, it isn’t just the US that’s spending money it doesn’t have: after briefly declining in 2023, the global debt-to-GDP ratio is again at an all-time high.

Paul Buitink, host of the Reinvent Money show, recently interviewed Peter on debt in Europe, possible futures for various currencies, and government monitoring of crypto and gold.

The percentage of U.S. adults holding an advanced degree increased by over 3% from 2011-2021. This increase in education is assumed to have a crucial role in America’s increasing economic strength over that time period. The expertise gained from such degrees is supposed to be valuable enough to outweigh the time and money put into grad degrees, both from the student’s perspective and the perspective of the schools and institutions that so often fund graduate degrees.

Silver prices have reached $30 per ounce, marking a significant milestone driven by strong industrial demand and favorable market conditions. This surge reflects investor confidence in the metal's future, bolstered by increasing applications in technology, renewable energy, and electronics. The rally is part of a broader trend in precious metals, silver is now up 5.6% this week.

In an aggressive move to revive its struggling property market, Beijing has unveiled a comprehensive rescue package, including the removal of mortgage rate floors and lowering down payments. The People's Bank of China will inject $42 billion to help government-backed firms purchase unsold homes, converting them into affordable housing. Despite this, analysts warn that the funds may fall short of what’s needed to fully address the housing glut. The market responded positively, with developer shares surging, but experts caution that a lasting recovery will require careful execution and broader financial support.

Amid an ideal investing environment, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has surged past 40,000 for the first time, driven by resilient corporate profits, low unemployment, and easing inflation. Investors are striking gold with gains in diverse markets, including tech stocks, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals. Despite some concerns about government debt and market timing, optimism remains high, with strategists predicting continued growth fueled by advancements in AI and domestic investment. Even risk-averse investors find attractive options in high-yield bonds and CDs, adding to the widespread market exuberance.

Amid improving economic indicators and anticipation of fewer Federal Reserve rate cuts, big tech companies, particularly those focused on AI, are expected to drive the next market surge. Nvidia, set to release earnings next week, is among the leaders in this trend. Capital Economics predicts that AI-driven optimism will propel tech stocks higher, despite recent cautious investor sentiment. The resilience of cyclical sectors and robust economic outlook further support the potential for an AI-fueled equity bubble, with big tech poised to regain and extend its dominance in the market.

China condemned the Biden administration's decision to increase tariffs on various Chinese imports and vowed to take unspecified retaliatory actions. The new tariffs, ranging from 25% to 100% on items like semiconductors and electric vehicles, follow a review of tariffs initially imposed by former President Trump.

In April, China's gold market saw strong investment demand, with gold withdrawals from the Shanghai Gold Exchange rising to 131 tons. The Shanghai Gold Benchmark and LBMA Gold Price both increased, reflecting this momentum. Chinese gold ETFs experienced their largest-ever monthly inflow, and the People's Bank of China announced its 18th consecutive month of gold purchases, bringing total holdings to 2,264 tons, the highest ever.

Politicians parrot on about small businesses being the backbone of the economy, only to pass the regulations that stifle them.
In 2024, several federal agencies instituted new regulations on small businesses. These agencies included the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the IRS, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The new restrictions add to an exponentially increasing mountain of mandates that small businesses have to comply with.

In just one day, not only did Silver BREAKOUT above $30, but it also sliced through $31, closing below $32 for the day.  The only way to describe this huge move is a massive short covering rally.  Why?  Market participants were likely caught on the wrong side of the move due to large silver bullion hedging and not believing the rally...

Platinum is entering its second year of substantial deficit, according to the Platinum Quarterly report from the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC).

A massive short squeeze in New York has sent copper prices skyrocketing, with the Comex premium over the London Metal Exchange price surging to over $1,200 per ton. This unprecedented price spread has wrong-footed major traders and hedge funds, sparking a frantic scramble for copper to fulfill expiring contracts. Despite no overall physical shortage, the squeeze highlights tight US copper supplies, exacerbated by solid demand and shipping issues. Analysts expect further market volatility as traders rush to move copper to the US, with some relief potentially coming in early June.

Could a new silver squeeze be under way, thanks to the retail traders on Reddit aiming to expose the alleged silver manipulation

Gold, silver, and platinum prices have surged following softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data, which raises the prospect of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Gold reached a three-week high, silver hit its highest level in over three years, and platinum climbed to a near one-year peak. Saxo Bank strategists predict gold could soon test $2,400, silver may reach $30, and platinum has the potential to hit $1,130 per ounce. Despite some cautious forecasts, analysts from ROTH Capital Partners see gold potentially reaching $2,600 and silver climbing as high as $37.

The US dollar continues to flex its muscles in 2024, driven by strong economic data and fewer expected Fed rate cuts. Despite global growth improvements and rising oil prices, the dollar remains resilient, while the euro, pound, and yen face mixed prospects. Key factors include potential ECB rate cuts, BoE policy shifts, and the Fed's significant influence on USD/JPY dynamics.

Renaissance Technologies, an elite hedge fund, strategically acquired 1 million GameStop shares last quarter, reaping significant gains as the stock surged over 400% this week. Initially worth $13 million, the stake briefly soared to $65 million at Tuesday's high, driven by renewed interest from retail investors like Keith "Roaring Kitty" Gill. RenTech, known for its algorithmic trading, also made notable portfolio adjustments, increasing its AMC holdings and reducing stakes in Nvidia and Tesla, showcasing its dynamic investment strategy amidst market volatility.