U.S. News: Why an Inverted Yield Curve Signals Financial Disaster

By SIMON CONSTABLE

If the bond market inverts, will your portfolio get upended?

Increasingly market pros today are talking about a flatter yield curve in the bond market. And as the curve flattens we come closer to a dreaded inverted yield curve and a likely recession, which would not be good for stocks or riskier bonds. Read more here.

John Batchelor Show: Copper bullishness 2018 & What is to be done?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Forbes: Why Prince Harry Should Nix Obama Royal Wedding Invite

By SIMON CONSTABLE

There's a diplomatic spat waiting to happen between the U.S. and U.K., and it involves none other than former president Barrack Obama.

The out-of-office politician is known to be good friends with Prince Harry, and there is now talk of the former getting an invite to the forthcoming royal wedding, according to a report in Metro.

That invite shouldn't happen, and the matter comes down to economics. Read more here.

Barron's: Lead Looks Dead

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The market for lead is about to get an electric shock. And It’s unlikely to recover. It won’t be just falling prices; futures markets trading volumes will probably drop to levels that make transactions very tough to complete. Read more here.

Barron's: How Investors Can Ride a Rally in Commodities

By SIMON CONSTABLE

If inflation looks set for a comeback, a larger-than-average helping of materials, energy, and foodstuffs could help investment returns. 

“Energy, food, and materials are all key inputs into the inflation numbers,” says Will Rhind, CEO of exchange-traded fund firm GraniteShares in New York.

When inflation quickens, prices for those items will rally. But there are nuances that investors need to understand. Read more here.

Barron's: Lumber Rally Will Be Felled

By SIMON CONSTABLE

It’s time to flee the trees. Lumber prices have rallied mainly for reasons that don’t seem sustainable for much longer. 

Active-month futures contracts for random-length lumber were recently trading at $435 per 1,000 board feet, up nearly 30% from $337 early last spring. Investors holding lumber-related futures should take profits. Those wanting to profit from a likely retreat in prices should sell May-dated contracts. Alternatively, they could write out-of-the-money call options with the hope that they expire worthless. Read more here.

Photo by Óscar Salgado on Unsplash

U.S. News: U.K. Deal With the EU May Help British Stocks

BY SIMON CONSTABLE

The U.K. is making real progress in its negotiations to exit the European Union, and its progress toward a successful Brexit presents an opportunity for savvy investors to get in on the action.

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May struck a deal with the European Union that allows the country to start the next stage of talks about future post-Brexit trade deals. It comes after a year and a half of tough talk from both sides. Read more here.