Jeff Thomas | Jan 15, 2025
Here we have a standard credit card receipt from a coffee shop. The diner understands that he’s not obligated to order anything that he doesn’t want to receive, but that, for whatever he does order, he must pay the price on the menu.
Mark Yaxley | Jan 14, 2025
Despite gold being down 1% in December, global gold ETFs saw a monthly net inflow of $778 million (4 tons), driven by strong Asian demand, which counterbalanced outflows in North America.
Mark Yaxley | Jan 8, 2025
2024 proved to be a standout year for precious metals and set the stage for a strong 2025. While overall commodities were flat (+1%) last year, gold and silver exhibited a sharp divergence, rallying by +26% and +22% respectively.
Jeff Thomas | Dec 20, 2024
I’d never heard of a bank serving alcoholic beverages, but it made me feel a bit special to sit on the nice sofa and have a rum and Coke. By the time I’d finished my drink, I asked again when the manager would be seeing me and the young woman said, “Soon. Would you like another drink?”
Mark Yaxley | Dec 17, 2024
Precious metals, particularly gold and silver, are poised for gains in 2025, supported by synchronized global easing cycles, China’s fiscal and monetary stimulus, and structurally higher inflation driven by deglobalization and energy transitions.
Mark Yaxley | Dec 10, 2024
Gold prices rose last week from USD $2,643 to $2,697/oz, and silver increased from $31.50 to $32.60, driven primarily by geopolitical uncertainties following Assad's departure from Syria, which boosted gold's safe-haven appeal.
Jeff Thomas | Dec 10, 2024
Henry Ford used Hobson’s choice very effectively. He created his inspired “car for the multitude” in 1908. His market share increased enormously. Then, in 1913, he discovered that that black paint dried more quickly than any other colour. Black cars could be produced more quickly and were therefore more profitable. So, beginning in 1914, he eliminated all colour choices for his popular Model T cars. From then on, he said, “Any customer can have a car in any color as long as it is black.”
Jeff Thomas | Dec 4, 2024
Today, most people have the general impression that on Black Friday, the market crashed and, almost immediately, there were breadlines. Not so. In the Great Depression, as in any depression, the market collapsed in stages. The market did not reach its bottom of 89% losses until July of 1932.
Mark Yaxley | Dec 3, 2024
Former President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs has reignited trade tensions. A 10% tariff on goods from China and a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada could disrupt trade, especially in metals like silver, which the U.S. relies heavily on importing. Mexico, the world’s largest silver producer, accounts for 25% of global supply. If tariffs reduce U.S. imports, industrial demand could drop, potentially lowering global silver prices but raising premiums for metal available within the U.S.
Jeff Clark | Dec 3, 2024
Did you know that more bank branches closed during Covid than in the previous recession? Many banks around the world closed during the Great Financial Crisis, too. Cyprus was the most notorious example: withdrawals were banned, closures lasted weeks, withdraws were severely limited when they did reopen, and transferring money out of country was forbidden. And they were considered a world class banking country!