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 silver’s breakout. (See the Precious Metals section.)
Precious Metals:
Silver surges past $35/oz level to hit a more than 13-year high. JWR Adds: When I checked on Tuesday evening, spot silver was at $36.87 per Troy ounce! There was a dip on Wednesday, but by Thursday evening (Friday morning, in Asia), silver was back up to $36.79. Hang on tight to your silver, folks. The Silver Bull is just getting started. The Shorts must be screaming now, in panic! I expect to see the silver-to-gold ratio to drop below 82-to-1, in or before July. Take note that the ratio is now down to around 94-to-1. But it was above 100-to-1, just a couple of weeks ago. I expect silver to out-perform gold for the rest of 2025, and possibly longer.
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A very interesting interview: Silver Continues To Run — Andy Schectman.
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Poland Has More Gold Than the European Central Bank.
Economy & Finance:
Reuters: US-China trade, export control talks push through second full day in London. JWR’s Comments: If a deal is reached and tariffs are dropped, then I expect to see a U.S. stock market rally, across the board. Many commodities and the Baltic Dry Index should also rebound.
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India And US Advance Toward Interim Trade Deal After Four-Day Talks.
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Another at Zero Hedge: Trump Travel Ban, Restrictions Go Into Effect On 19 Nations.
Commodities:
Blog reader C.B. sent us this: California Democrats vote to increase gas prices. JWR’s Comments: They are planning on charging a tax of 85 cents per gallon, by 2030. That is in addition to the current 18.3-cent Federal tax. Parenthetically, I can remember paying 73.9 cents per gallon for gasoline (including taxes), back when I first began driving in California, in my teen years.
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Washington Legislature approves gas tax increase.
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Video: A miserable year for oil so far.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
USN&WR: Inflation Back in the Spotlight as Tariffs Talks Continue.
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CNBC: China consumer prices slump again, deepening deflation worries as demand stays weak.
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Japan’s largest opposition calls for lowering BOJ’s inflation target.
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Thailand at risk of ‘deflation’ as economy stagnates, investment and consumption fall.
Forex & Cryptos:
Canadian Dollar Forecast: USD/CAD Coils Within June Opening Range.
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At Currency Thoughts: Attention to What Central Banks Are Doing with Interest Rates.
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CEO who sees Bitcoin hitting $1M now favors Tesla.
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Bitcoin climbs above $110,000 USD.
Tangibles Investing:
Five Texas Housing Markets at High Risk of a Home Price Crash.
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Our featured Pre-1899 Gun Of The Week, at Elk Creek Company: Loewe Chilean 7×57 Iron Sight Mauser Sporter. Take note that all of our in-stock Mausers are currently on sale!
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!