Time Magazine: A Recession Isn't Inevitable But Europe's Concerns Are Real

By SIMON CONSTABLE

An ugly word has been shooting around the media like it's going out of fashion: Recession, usually considered as two back-to-back quarters of a shrinking economy.

Judging by recent headlines and rhetoric from experts, you’d think we are already there. But as with many things, the truth is more nuanced. To be sure, no one in their right mind wants to see a recession, as these periods of malaise usually coincide with higher unemployment and lower corporate profits. Read more here.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

Federal Reserve, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor: #Commodities. Gold holds value, crypto doesn't.

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

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Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cited in VettaFi: OUNZ Shows Its Defensive Mettle

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Just look at the VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ ). OUNZ, the first gold-backed ETF that delivers physical bullion to investors when they sell shares, is up 0.34% year-to-date. Conversely, the S&P 500 is lower by 23%. Translation: OUNZ is doing its job for investors in what’s proving to be a turbulent 2022.

In this climate, OUNZ’s performance is worth bragging about because it’s vastly superior to those of other major asset classes.

“Gold has once again shown itself to be a solid haven investment in the face of market turmoil. Even though bullion prices have dipped a little this year, they have massively outperformed other major asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, which have all taken a beating,” reported Simon Constable for Barron’s.

Read more here.

Photo by Zlaťáky.cz on Unsplash

Barron's: Gold Is Holding Up as Stocks, Bonds, and Crypto Plunge

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

Gold has once again shown itself to be a solid haven investment in the face of market turmoil. Even though bullion prices have dipped a little this year, they have massively outperformed other major asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, which have all taken a beating.

It should be a reminder to prudent investors to consider allocating a portion of their portfolio to the yellow metal. Read more here.

Szaaman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor: #Commodities: One hundred English pounds for a tank of gas

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

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Photo by Gabriel Côté on Unsplash

Forbes Japan: Stocks Won't Save You From Inflation

By SIMON CONSTABLE

株に投資すればインフレによる資産の目減りを避けられるのではないか。もしそんなふうにお考えだとしたら、残念ながら間違いだ。おそらく、逆に資産をさらに減らす結果になってしまうだろう。

「株式は投資家をインフレから守ってくれるというのは、長期的にみても神話にすぎない」。調査会社HCWEアンド・カンパニーは最近のリポートでそう警告する。

Read more here. 

Katsushika Hokusai , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Barron's: Lumber Prices Are Falling With a Thud. Softer Housing Sales Are Hammering Demand.

By SIMON CONSTABLE

You can almost hear the sound of falling lumber prices, with probably more to go. The Federal Reserve’s slow-but-steady war on inflation will crimp demand for wood used in the home-building industry, sending prices down by almost 50%, experts say.

“With reduced disposable income and higher interest rates, it’s very hard to see the confidence for buying homes at these prices,” says Shawn Hackett, president of Hackett Financial Advisors. Read more here. 

Tree fellers with the Madera Sugar Pine Company, circa 1911

Madera Sugar Pine Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons