Wednesday, April 17, 2019
How Central Bank Gold Buying is Undermining the US Dollar / Currencies / US Dollar
By: Richard_Mills
Ahead of the Herd has been digging into why central banks are buying a lot of gold recently . What we’ve found is eyebrow-raising, to say the least. It may be the best reason you’ve ever read for wanting to buy gold.
Take this headline from the Northern Miner: “Editorial: Central banks are major gold buyers in 2019”. Citing statistics from the World Gold Council, the Northern Miner reports that central banks netted 51 tonnes in gold purchases, the most since October 2018, when they increased gold held in central bank vaults by 105 tonnes. Switching to ounces, the Miner states that gold holdings grew by a startling 2.9 million ounces in January and February 2019, versus 1.9 Moz during the same period of 2018. This is the highest level of gold buying by central banks since the first two months of 2008 - during the financial crisis.
Central banks backed up the truck for gold in 2018, buying 651.5 tonnes versus 375 tonnes in 2017. That’s the largest net purchase of gold since 1967.
Read full article... Read full article...
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Income-Generating Business / Personal_Finance / Gambling
By: Submissions
It’s not always possible to succeed when you just start a new business, as well as get a big profit from the outset. However, the gambling industry has always been a special one; it lets the online casino owners make a fortune really quick and may bring more revenue when any other industry.
A possibility to open an online casino has attracted a great number of entrepreneurs from all around the globe. It’s a known fact lots of countries are deprived of the opportunity to open a casino establishment due to the authorities’ prohibitions; that’s exactly why the number of online casinos gets higher with each passing day making the entrepreneurs turn for help to proven companies for getting a high-quality evenbetgaming.com poker software.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
INSOMNIA 64 Birmingham NEC Car Parking Info / Personal_Finance / Gaming
By: Sami_Walayat
Parking at Birmingham NEC for Insomnia 64 - April 19th to 22nd 2019
1. Parking is £5 per day
2. Location - East car parks, follow the signs
3. Either buy tickets on the day before exiting the car park, handing the ticket to the parking attendant on exit.
4. Or save time by buying in advance online from NEC website, print and bring.
5. Walking distance from car park to the hall is about 10-15 minutes
6. INSOMNIA will be held in Halls 1 to 4
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Trump May Regret His Fed Takeover Attempt / Politics / US Federal Reserve Bank
By: Patrick_Watson
Some things are too important to leave to politicians.
One such thing: the money supply. That’s why the Federal Reserve is an independent agency, at least in theory.
Presidents like this arrangement because it lets them disclaim responsibility when the Fed does something unpopular. But that only works if the president doesn’t even try to assert control.
Trying to influence the Fed, as Trump is doing, has three possible outcomes—and two of them are bad for Trump. Either…
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Gold Market Key Message from IMF / Commodities / Gold & Silver 2019
By: Arkadiusz_Sieron
The Spring Meeting of the World Bank and the IMF, during which the latter organization released its fresh World Economic Outlook, has just ended. What are the takeaways for the gold market?
Stagnation or Acceleration after the Slowdown?
In Thursday’s Gold News Monitor, we pointed out that the IMF significantly cut outlook for the Eurozone’s economic growth this year from 1.6 to 1.3 percent. But what about other economies? The IMF forecasts now 2.3 percent rise in the American GDP, 0.2 percentage point slower than it was projected in January. Global growth is now projected to be 3.3 percent, a downward revision from the 3.5 percent forecasted three months earlier. After such cuts in world economic outlook, gold should shine, shouldn’t it?
Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Top Easter Holiday Tips on how to Save Cash Abroad / Personal_Finance / Holidays
By: MoneyFacts
As the Bank Holiday weekend draws near, many holidaymakers will be looking to use this break for a trip abroad – so now is the perfect time to revisit their financial checklist to see if they have everything organised.
Whether consumers feel fully prepared for a trip away or have yet to make a start, Moneyfacts.co.uk has drawn up some top tips on how consumers can save a bit of cash.
Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Downside Risk in Gold & Gold Stocks / Commodities / Gold and Silver Stocks 2019
By: Jordan_Roy_Byrne
The big picture fundamentals for precious metals have been trending more bullish in recent months as expectations for the Federal Reserve went from a few rate hikes in 2019 to an expectation of a rate cut within the next 12 months. That is aligned with the peak in the 2-year yield and growing concerns over slowing growth globally.
However, that doesn’t preclude a temporary improvement in the economy and markets. China is stimulating again. Global equities have recovered and the S&P 500 is on the cusp of a new high.
All of this means a Fed rate cut in the next 12 months is less likely. Not unlikely but less likely.
Precious Metals have been trading on Fed rate expectations for a while. Higher highs in equities and some stabilization in the economy will chip away at expectations for a rate cut and as a result, some bearish price action is showing up in the precious metals sector.
Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Even the President is Terrified of the Dreaded “D” Word Deflation / Economics / Deflation
By: Graham_Summers
The following tweet tells you everything you need to know about the state of the US financial system today…
Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Stock Market Melt-Up or Roll Over?…A Look At Two Scenarios / Stock-Markets / Stock Markets 2019
By: Plunger
Having trouble making sense of the market? Do you feel like you are living in some sort of a parallel universe where almost everything happening in the market seems to be the opposite of what you have learned should happen? You are not alone so let’s try to make some sense of it. This weekend I will present two possible outcomes for the stock market and the rational behind them. We will also look at some out of favorite stocks in a bull market.
I see myself more of a market strategist than anything else. What I have learned after actively watching the ebb and flow of markets for almost 40 years is that the simplest approach is typically the best approach for us mere mortals. Sure we may be able to score a few short term trades here and there, but the amount of effort and focus it takes makes it unrealistic to make it ones primary investment approach. It takes an investment professional to consistently make money as a trader. Those of us who work for a living are best served trying to ride a bull market and not get too wrapped up in the day to day motion of the market. But to ride a bull one must know an awful lot of things, because it takes an independent critical thinker to buy a bottom and sell somewhere near the top after a market fully expresses itself to the upside. He must be able to divorce himself from the crowd and believe in himself. He must be able to be comfortable being alone from time to time. To me the most important thing is to understand where the market is in the greater scheme of things. I say this because it is my personal approach to investment to find and be in a bull market and to avoid bear markets at all costs. My observation is that those who listen to Wall Street’s advice to be in the market at all times is suicide. Bear markets destroy investors and they ruin ones ability to ride the next bull market upward due to the psychological damage they incur.
Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Is the Stock Market Making a Head and Shoulders Topping Pattern? / Stock-Markets / Stock Markets 2019
By: Troy_Bombardia
The stock market’s relentless rally continues. The S&P 500 (excluding dividends) is just 1% from a new all-time high, while the S&P 500 Total Return Index (including dividends) is already at an all-time high. While the chart may “look like” a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern, these patterns are only clear with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. Too many potential head-and-shoulders patterns don’t work out in real-time (i.e. false bearish signals). And by the time you wait for a “bearish confirmation” break of the neckline, the S&P is already down -20%.
Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, April 15, 2019
Three Rules for Making a Winning Investment in Precious Metals / Commodities / Gold & Silver 2019
By: MoneyMetals
The questions first-time precious metals buyers ask most often are "what should I buy?" and "how do I get started?" We have covered these questions many times over the years, but they are worth reconsidering from time to time.
The very first rule of precious metals investing is to avoid collectible coins and buy low-premium bullion (non-collectible) products instead. Well, to be precise, it is actually those many shady rare coin dealers one needs to avoid.
The dealers to avoid are usually the ones heavily marketing on TV and radio using celebrity spokesmen, looking for inexperienced buyers. They know what buttons to push. The ads talk a lot about real issues – concerns such as the massive federal debt and the potential for U.S. dollar depreciation to wipe out savings and wealth.
Monday, April 15, 2019
Will Powell’s Dovish Turn Support Gold? / Commodities / Gold & Silver 2019
By: Arkadiusz_Sieron
It was a big surprise. The dovish surprise. In March, Powell doubled down on its accommodative stance. Does he know something we are not aware of? We invite you to read our today’s article about the recent Fed’s U-turn and find out whether it will support the gold prices.
Three months can make a big difference! In December 2018, the Fed raised the federal funds rate and signaled another two hikes in 2019 and further one in 2020. Powell also reaffirmed that the Fed would continue to unwind its balance sheet, by up to $50 billion per month, and he sounded very hawkish. But just six weeks later, at the FOMC meeting at the end of January, he sounded much softer, announcing that the Fed would pause its interest rate hikes and end its balance sheet normalization this year. But in March, Powell doubled down on its dovish stance, signaling no hikes in 2019 and just one hike in 2020. The FOMC also announced that the quantitative tightening will end in September, after tapering its pace in May. What caused the Fed’s U-turn?
Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, April 15, 2019
If History Is Any Indication, Stocks Should Rally Until the Fall of 2020 / Stock-Markets / Stock Markets 2019
By: Robert_Foss
Something unusual happened in the stock market recently.
A few weeks ago, a closely watched indicator, called the “yield curve,” inverted for the first time since the last recession.
This is a concrete sign the economy is slowing.
In fact, the yield curve has inverted before every recession over the past 50 years… but not immediately before, as I’ll explain in a moment.
Good news is, the yield curve inversion also means stocks should continue to rise for the next 12–18 months or so.
Monday, April 15, 2019
Stocks Get Closer to Last Year’s Record High / Stock-Markets / Stock Markets 2019
By: Paul_Rejczak
Friday’s trading session was bullish, as stocks broke above their short-term consolidation following the first quarterly earnings releases, among other factors. The S&P 500 index broke above the 2,900 level. Will the uptrend extend despite some technical overbought conditions?
The U.S. stock market indexes gained 0.5-1.0% on Friday, breaking above the recent trading range, as investors’ sentiment improved following the first quarterly earnings releases, among other factors. The S&P 500 index retraced more of its October-December downward correction of 20.2% on Friday. It broke above the 2,900 level. The broad stock market's gauge is now just 1.1% below September the 21st record high of 2,940.91. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.0% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5% on Friday.
The nearest important resistance level of the S&P 500 index is now at 2,920-2,940, marked by the mentioned record high, among others. On the other hand, the support level is now at 2,900, marked by the recent resistance level. The support level is also at 2,860-2,865, marked by the recent local lows.
Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, April 15, 2019
Oil Price May Be Setup For A Move Back to $50 / Commodities / Crude Oil
By: Chris_Vermeulen
US Gasoline prices have shot up 15% to 30% or more over the past 4 weeks as the Summer Blend hits the markets and consumers continue to stay shocked at the increase. In California, prices shot up from near $3 per gallon to over $4 a gallon over a 7-day span. Every year, when the Summer Blend of Gasoline hits the markets, we expect a price increase that is associated with this change. But this year, the price increase has really shocked consumers to the point that they are altering their travel plans and cutting extra spending in an attempt to deal with the new gasoline prices.
This data graph from the US Energy Information Administration shows just how dramatic the price increase has been over the past 3+ weeks.
Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, April 15, 2019
Stock Market Ready For A Pause! / Stock-Markets / Stock Markets 2019
By: Andre_Gratian
Current Position of the Market
SPX: Long-term trend – Final long-term phase on the way? How much longer is the question.
Intermediate trend – The trend which started at 2722 is ready for a pause
Analysis of the short-term trend is done on a daily basis with the help of hourly charts. It is an important adjunct to the analysis of daily and weekly charts which discusses the course of longer market trends.
Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, April 15, 2019
Shopping for Bargain Souvenirs in Fethiye Tuesday Market - Turkey Holidays 2019 / Personal_Finance / Holidays
By: Anika_Walayat
If your going to be holidaying in Turkey this year and are anywhere near the Dalaman / Fethiye area then you MUST visit the Fethiye Tuesday market! It is huge! Vibrant, bustling with variety, Turkish culture in action with plenty of bargains to be had if your upto the haggling challenge. It's a experience in its out right and its FREE, apart from the shopping. You get to see a side of the world that you don't usually see, full of tourists from all over the world of all types and ages, a true melting pot.
The market sells virtually everything under the sun, food, fruit, sweets, electronics, bags, all sorts of bags, trinkets, shoes, jewellery and clothes, tons of clothes, from the mainstay for tourists t-shirt's tons and tons of t-shirts to the local traditional garments and the wide variety of tourist souvenirs such as fridge magnets that can be picked up dirt cheap if you know where to look as we show in our latest video on shopping in Fethiye market.
Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, April 15, 2019
MINECRAFT at INSOMNIA 64 Games Festival / Personal_Finance / Gaming
By: Sami_Walayat
The Insomnia 64 gaming festival begins on the 19th of April 2019 at the Birmingham National Exhibition centre. Expect lots of hude displays of your favourite games such as for Fortnite and Minecraft, games which of course you can also sit down and play.
Read full article... Read full article...
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Stocks Are Going to Stage a Truly VIOLENT Move / Stock-Markets / Stock Markets 2019
By: Graham_Summers
First and foremost, volume has slowed to a trickle. Two of the last four days saw trading volume at their absolute lowest since late September 2018: right before the last market meltdown started.
This is occurring right as the S&P 500 nears the completion of the bearish rising wedge formation that has been building since the December bottom.
Read full article... Read full article...
Sunday, April 14, 2019
From US-Sino Talks to New Trade Wars, Weakening Global Economic Prospects / Economics / Protectionism
By: Dan_Steinbock
Recently, IMF cut global growth forecasts. As US-Sino trade talks will give way to next trade wars, new tariff wars will not resolve US deficits but will further impair global economic prospects.Ever since the US-Sino trade talks began almost four months ago, the United States has pushed for a broad commitment focusing on China’s economic practices, including participation of U.S. firms in certain industries and protection of U.S. intellectual property rights (IPRs).
In a recent CNBC interview, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed that the countries had “pretty much agreed” on an enforcement mechanism for a trade deal. After his meeting with the Chinese delegation last week, President Trump stated that negotiators may need four more weeks to package the deal.
Read full article... Read full article...