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!
Jeff Thomas | Dec 2, 2024
It argued that as the world’s new military leader, the US must maintain warfare in order to maintain its new hegemony. The administration agreed, especially as MIC lobbyists were quite prepared to kick back a generous portion of profits to both political parties if they played ball.
Mark Yaxley | Nov 26, 2024
Geopolitical uncertainties, including rising global conflicts and Russia’s nuclear threats, have supported safe-haven demand for gold. Investors have turned to the metal as a hedge against instability. Speculation about the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts has also supported gold prices, as lower interest rates typically weaken the U.S. dollar and bond yields, making gold more attractive. Investors continue to view gold as a reliable store of value amid these economic challenges.
Jeff Thomas | Nov 20, 2024
Let’s say that you’re paid $4000 per month. You budget for housing, food, clothing, transportation, etc. Let’s say that that adds up to $3800 per month and you’re hoping for $200 per month to go to savings. Often that doesn’t happen, as “expenses pop up” that haven’t been planned for, but need to be paid. So, in the end, you save little or nothing.