WSJ: Gold Funds Fell 21.4% in the Quarter, Despite the Coronavirus Panic

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Why did gold prices fail to rally on news that the coronavirus had morphed into a pandemic? It’s the opposite of what many would have expected.

Gold-oriented mutual funds and exchange-traded funds posted average total returns of minus 21.4% in the first quarter, according to Lipper data—in line with or worse than many fund categories. The average U.S.-stock fund, by comparison, fell nearly 24.6%. Read more here.

Andrzej Barabasz (Chepry), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

WSJ: What Is ‘Buy the Panic’?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

What does it mean when investment professionals say, “Buy the panic”?

It’s a phrase that investors might hear frequently given the recent widespread selling in the stock market. Despite snapback rallies on several days, the S&P 500 is down 23% for the year so far. Read more here.

Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash

John Batchelor Show: Scotland and the virus -- gold bugs awaken!

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Joe Piscopo Show: Coronavirus Special

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Forbes: French Economy “35% Below Normal,” Report Says

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

Now last week’s pessimists look like optimists.

The impact the coronavirus lockdown, which began less than two weeks ago on March 17, is already having a far worse effect on France than naysayers could have foreseen.

New estimates from government statisticians show that the French economy is operating 35% below normal, according to a recent report from UK-based financial research firm Capital Economics. Read more here.

Forbes: When Fighting The Coronavirus, America Should Learn From President Truman

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Yes, the coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented in modern times in terms of danger and the speed of its impact on the economy.

However, we can learn from one past U.S. President how resilient and agile the U.S. economy can be, especially when everyone works together toward a single goal. Read more here.

Forbes: Low Oil Prices Could Help Boost Crushed Gold Miners

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Get ready for a rally in the gold patch.

Over the past month, gold mining stocks got crushed along with most other assets.

But the divergence of how the miners performed with what happened to the price of gold bullion has now become so great that it seems to offer rare opportunities for daring investors. The falling price of oil, and the likely coming rally for gold, only adds to the relative attraction of such mining companies. Read more here.