Precious metals news

Mortgage demand is dropping as interest rates breached the 7% threshold, marking a significant setback for prospective homebuyers and refinancers alike. Last week witnessed a sharp 10.6% drop in total application volume, as reported by the Mortgage Bankers Association, driven by the steepest interest rate spike since early December. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage ascended to 7.06%, dampening the spirits of many, with refinance applications falling 11% from the week prior and purchase applications plummeting by 10%. The current scenario places potential homeowners and those looking to refinance in a challenging position, as the cost of borrowing climbs higher, significantly impacting the housing market's dynamics.

Oil prices are caught between tight supplies and the gloomy shadow of economic uncertainty. The tug-of-war in the oil market is evident as Brent Crude nudges just over $82 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate hovers around $77.50, both encapsulated within a $10 trading range that has defined this year's market dynamics. While the specter of high interest rates and the potential for subdued economic growth push traders to shy away from riskier assets like crude oil, the physical markets tell a different story. Here, shortages in refined products have lent strength, with Brent's prompt spread reaching three-month highs, a clear sign of market tightness.

Explore the shocking price hikes, the impact on low-income customers, and how currency devaluation is affecting consumer behavior.

This week, gold has consistently stayed above the $2,000 mark, a sign of the market's high anticipation for insights that could shape the monetary policy landscape. Analysts from ING suggest that the Federal Reserve's policy decisions will be pivotal for gold's price trajectory in the coming months, noting that higher borrowing costs usually have a negative impact on gold prices. Meanwhile, base metals showed mixed performance, with aluminum dropping by 0.5% to $2,186 a ton, whereas copper saw a slight increase of 0.2%, reaching $8,442.0 a ton, reflecting a varied market response across different commodities.

Gold, known for its enduring value and role as a financial safety net, has once again proven its mettle amid fluctuating U.S. interest rates and persistent geopolitical tensions, reaching new heights in December 2023. A graphic created by Sam Parker, utilizing comprehensive data from authoritative sources like Central Banks, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Gold Council, showcases the top 11 countries boasting the largest gold reserves as of September 2023.

In the UK, households are experiencing an increase in disposable income, reaching a nearly two-year high, according to a survey published by the supermarket chain Asda. The report indicates that the average UK household's disposable income rose by 6.1% year-on-year to £230 ($182) per week last month, marking the highest level since March 2022. This positive shift in disposable income has been attributed to several factors, including sustained earnings growth, a slowdown in food price inflation, and recent cuts to National Insurance contribution rates. The Asda income tracker, developed in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research, measures the financial health of UK households by assessing the amount left after taxes and essential bills.

January's inflation data has intensified the complexity of upcoming interest rate decisions for the U.S. Federal Reserve, according to Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin. In a recent interview, Barkin highlighted the persistent issue of inflation, particularly noting the sustained inflation in shelter and services despite a general slowdown in goods prices. While he expressed caution about overemphasizing the January figures due to potential seasonal distortions, he acknowledged that the latest data certainly did not simplify the Fed's task but rather compounded the challenges faced in tempering inflationary pressures.

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What are the "Most Expensive & Cheapest" Gold Mining shares compared to the gold price??  Also, this indicator shows us when is a better time to acquire the gold mining shares and when is a better time to sell.  I analyze the Top 6 Gold Miners in this video update...

U.S. commercial casinos hit a jackpot in 2023, raking in $66.5 billion from gamblers, the industry's most lucrative year to date. This figure represents a significant 10% increase over the previous record set in 2022, an impressive feat considering the economic challenges of the time, including persistent inflation affecting everyday costs like groceries and energy. According to the American Gaming Association, this surge reflects an unprecedented demand for gaming, spanning both traditional casino floors and online platforms. Even the holiday season, typically a time when consumers tighten their belts, saw record-breaking casino wins in December and the final quarter of the year, further emphasizing the robust appetite for gambling among American adults.

Despite predictions of its demise earlier this year, cash remains a powerhouse in the financial landscape. As the Federal Reserve postpones interest rate cuts, a robust influx of investment is evident in money-market funds, with investors adding a staggering $128 billion since the year's start. Corporate treasurers are also on a cash accumulation spree, holding a record $4.4 trillion by the end of the third quarter. This trend is further amplified by the market's seamless absorption of over $1 trillion in Treasury bills since mid-2023, signaling not just the resilience but also the potential for further growth in cash holdings.

For the first time since the summer of 2022, the Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI) no longer forecasts an impending U.S. recession, despite a continuous decline over the past 23 months. In January, the LEI fell 0.4% to 102.7, marking its lowest point since the brief recession in April 2020 triggered by COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns. This change in outlook is attributed to positive contributions from six of the index's ten components over the last six months, signaling a shift away from recession predictions. However, expectations for economic growth in the second and third quarters remain subdued, with projections close to zero, indicating a stagnating economy rather than a contracting one.

The Federal Reserve's journey towards achieving a 'soft landing' for the economy may be bolstered by a remarkable surge in productivity witnessed in the post-Covid era. Wall Street economists are optimistic that the trend of high productivity growth, which has seen an average increase of 3.9% over the last three quarters — a rate more than triple that of the decade before the pandemic — will persist. This productivity boost allows companies to increase wages without raising prices, potentially easing inflation concerns and allowing for a more lenient monetary policy stance.

In January 2024, U.S. retail and food service sales saw a modest increase to $700.3 billion, marking a 0.6% rise from the previous year, according to Census Bureau data. This uptick in consumer spending has contributed to a significant rise in household debt, reaching $17.5 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023, as reported by the Federal Reserve of New York. While increased consumer debt is a concern, the surge in spending is a positive indicator for the economy, given that consumer expenditure plays a vital role in the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Economists, including Christopher Rupkey of FWDBONDS in New York, view this trend as a sign of economic strength, potentially obviating the need for recession forecasts and suggesting a balanced economic climate that could justify interest rate cuts in 2024.

Over the last four years, the U.S. economy has experienced a rollercoaster of events, starting with a devastating pandemic that led to a financial market crash and economic downturn. This was followed by a period of spiraling inflation and rapidly increasing interest rates that put significant pressure on households and industries alike. Surprisingly, the economy has emerged from these challenges stronger, with stock markets reaching record highs and a recession seemingly averted. Despite these positive indicators, the path that led to this recovery remains a mystery, and the future of the U.S. economy in 2024 is shrouded in uncertainty.

Argentina's President Javier Milei has reignited discussions about adopting the U.S. dollar to reignite the Argentina economy, mirroring the monetary strategy of Panama, Ecuador, and El Salvador. This significant shift aims to stabilize Argentina's economy by potentially curbing inflation and fostering economic stability, leveraging the precedent set by these countries. Through this proposed change, Argentina seeks to address its long-standing economic challenges by integrating a more stable and widely accepted currency, which could have profound effects on inflation rates, investment flows, and overall economic confidence.

Gold prices have remained relatively stable in recent trading sessions, dropping below $2,000/oz briefly, before climbing back above $2,030/oz. Despite a U.S. market holiday contributing to limited trading cues, gold has shown resilience, bouncing back from a two-month low to hover around the $2,000 to $2,050 an ounce mark through much of 2024. This stability comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine offer some support to gold's value.

The most direct way to invest in gold is to buy gold and as SchiffGold advises the smart way to buy gold is to buy gold coins or billions. Sometimes investors bullish on the long-term prospects of gold take a look at the stocks of gold mining companies. Stocks of course lack some of the most attractive features of gold such as physical portability, and its finite amount (stocks always be diluted). Plus, mining companies can go bankrupt and are at greater risk from new regulations.  

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Despite economic data indicating that the U.S. economy might be improving, with indicators like inflation, economic growth, and labor market strength showing higher-than-expected figures, Wall Street is responding with a dose of skepticism. Economists are tempering reactions to these reports, suggesting that the apparent surge in numbers could be attributed to seasonal adjustments and unique factors at the year's start rather than a sustained trend. This view highlights the ongoing debate about the economy's direction and the challenge of interpreting data in a complex and shifting financial landscape.