Commodities (Business & Shipping)

Welcome to the Precious Metals Bug Forums

Welcome to the PMBug forums - a watering hole for folks interested in gold, silver, precious metals, sound money, investing, market and economic news, central bank monetary policies, politics and more. You can visit the forum page to see the list of forum nodes (categories/rooms) for topics.

Why not register an account and join the discussions? When you register an account and log in, you may enjoy additional benefits including no Google ads, market data/charts, access to trade/barter with the community and much more. Registering an account is free - you have nothing to lose!

Nothing to see, can listen in one tab, surf the forum in a different tab.

Doug Casey's Take [ep.#314] Our Greatest Threat​

Apr 8, 2024
Doug Casey and Matt Smith discussed various topics, including the French Revolution, gold coins, property rights, and migration. They believe a gold bull market has started, and gold stocks are undervalued. Uruguay and Argentina have good property rights, but the government is the greatest threat to property everywhere. Massive migration into the U.S. will cause major problems.


37:51

Chapters:
00:00 Intro with Viewer Questions: Book Recommendations and More
00:06The French Revolution: Insights and Anecdotes
02:30 Fiat Money and Inflation in France
05:08 Debating Democracy vs. Republic: A Philosophical Discussion
06:09 Anarcho-Capitalism
06:41 Gold Coins and the Risk of Counterfeits: An Expert's Take
08:16 Navigating the Metals Bull Market: Strategies and Predictions
14:03 Considering Belize as a Bug-Out Location Amidst Migration Concerns
14:48 The Dynamics of Gold Markets and Future Speculations
16:51 Property Rights in Uruguay and Argentina: A Comparative Analysis
21:01 The Digital Nations Club: Surveillance, Control, and the Future
22:14 Exploring Citizenship and Tax Implications in Argentina
24:33 Lifestyle and Living Costs: From Tasmania to Thailand
31:18 Addressing Migration Issues and Government Policies
37:45 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Weekend Wishes
 
www.gard.no

Trading troubles: Bartering for welfare items in ports

Sometimes seafarers participate in an amiable exchange of low-value items from the vessel, including scrap, stores, and personal effects, with locals in foreign ports. Through such bartering seafarers acquire welfare items like SIM cards and fresh supplies. However, some local authorities view...
www.gard.no www.gard.no
 
Edited due to repost. Nothing to see, can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab.

Dream Merger -- X (Twitter) to Acquire Trump Media -- DJTX - John Rubino #6038​

Apr 10, 2024

Kerry Lutz and John Rubino discussed a range of topics including the current state of the economy, the precious metals market, geopolitical tensions, the potential consequences of increasing interest rates on regional and community banks, the problem of squatters taking over homes, and the challenges of reaching a wider audience on digital platforms. They explored the impact of deficit spending, immigration, and the surge in tech stocks on the economy, while also expressing apprehension about potential terrorist threats and the role of the U.S. financial system in a failing global system. They also provided an in-depth analysis of the current state of the precious metals market, emphasizing the significant rise in gold and silver prices and the positive performance of junior and major miners.

The conversation touched on the potential consequences of increasing interest rates on regional and community banks, speculating on the likelihood of a banking crisis that could favor larger banks and elites. They also discussed the widespread problem of squatters taking over homes, highlighting Florida's legislative response to address this issue. Additionally, they delved into a speculative discussion about the market cap of Trump Media and Technology Group, pondering the possibility of its value increasing significantly despite lacking fundamental support. The discussion also explored the challenges of reaching a wider audience on digital platforms and the potential of alternative platforms like Rumble and Substack for expanding their reach and engaging with their audience.


33:59
 
Last edited:
splash247.com

Three reasons why shipping transactions have not yet been digitalised - Splash247

Torgeir Willumsen, resident partner at Simonsen Vogt Wiig in Singapore and founder of Assentiri, establishes the unique peculiarities of shipping that make the digital transition so tricky. In an era where digital transformation has revolutionised many industries such as banking and real estate...
splash247.com splash247.com

splash247.com

Panama Canal Authority warns restrictions will remain in place throughout 2024 - Splash247

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has claimed that the tide has turned in its ongoing battle to get back to normal operations, following a debilitating year of drought-induced cuts to drafts and transits. “Current forecasts indicate that steady rainfall will arrive in late April and continue for...
splash247.com splash247.com
 

Morning Bid: CPI vigil, Canada decides, China credit warning​

April 10, 20246:02 AM EDT

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan

Wall St stocks have held up remarkably well in the face of the renewed interest rate angst of the past week but Wednesday's March inflation readout may now be make or break from here.

A late bounce for the S&P500 (.SPX), opens new tab on Tuesday saw the index close in positive territory and stock futures tick higher ahead of the consumer price report later today.

More:

 

As US bank profits drop, focus shifts to interest income outlook​

NEW YORK, April 10 (Reuters) - As U.S. banking giants prepare to report slightly lower first-quarter profits, investors will focus on how much more income executives expect from interest payments this year.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), opens new tab is likely to post a 4% drop in earnings per share (EPS) from the year-ago quarter on Friday, analysts estimated in an LSEG survey. Declines of 35% and 11% are forecast for Citigroup (C.N), opens new tab and Wells Fargo, respectively.

Goldman Sachs (GS.N), opens new tab is expected on Monday to post a 13% slide. On Tuesday, Bank of America (BAC.N), opens new tab is likely to show a 18% decline, while Morgan Stanley (MS.N), opens new tab is seen announcing a 2% drop, analysts said.

Analysts are weighing how the path of U.S. interest rates will bolster banks' net interest income (NII), or the difference between what lenders earn on loans and pay out for deposits.

"This is the overarching theme this quarter and we are likely to see an upside for earnings," said Kenneth Leon, research director at CFRA Research.

More:

 

Morning Bid: Markets reel on Fed cut doubts, ECB up next​

April 11, 2024 6:03 AM EDT

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan

It may seem like an over-reaction to an inflation miss of less than a tenth of a percentage point, but the heated March consumer price update has jolted markets into doubting any U.S. interest rate cut before the November election.

After much trepidation ahead of the report, the monthly rise in U.S. CPI rise was 0.359% - rounded up to 0.4%, compared to the 0.3% forecast. The rounded print would have been in line with expectations had the number come in less than one basis point lower.

To be sure, the narrative quickly focussed on stubborn rent rises and shelter inflation, spiky insurance costs and the third month in a row of a rounded 0.4% monthly gain in 'core' CPI inflation that kept annual core inflation stuck at 3.8%.

But the market reaction was dramatic - some might say over the top. Futures markets virtually wiped the chances of a June Federal Reserve rate cut off the map, see less than a 50% chance of move in July and now doubt there will be any more than one rate cut this year - despite Fed policymakers indicating as many as three only last month.

More:

 

Focus: Bird flu pushes US dairy farmers to ban visitors, chop trees​

CHICAGO, April 11 (Reuters) - Dairy farmers in the United States are raising their defenses to try to contain the spread of bird flu: banning visitors, cutting down trees to discourage wild birds from landing, and disinfecting vehicles coming onto their land.

North Carolina on Wednesday became the seventh state to report an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed infections in Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Idaho and New Mexico.

While the first cases appear to have been introduced to herds in Texas and Kansas by wild birds, the USDA said transmission among cattle was also possible. Agricultural officials in Michigan and Ohio said infected herds in those states received cattle from Texas.

Reuters spoke to seven dairy farmers in five states who said they are reinforcing safety and cleaning procedures, with three producers exceeding government recommendations.

More:

 
Nothing to see, can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab. As usual, dyodd.

China Rebuffs Yellen's Economic Advice. Says No Stimulus Checks and Deficit Spending.​

Apr 11, 2024 #economy #geopolitics #money


21:37
 

Do We Really Want a Food Cartel?​

The federal trade commission has just released its long-anticipated report on the major disruptions to America’s grocery-supply chain during the coronavirus pandemic—and it confirmed the worst. According to the report, large grocery companies saw the pandemic as an opportunity. They deliberately wielded their market power amid food shortages, entrenching their dominance and keeping their shelves stocked even as smaller companies had to scramble for goods or simply close up shop. For the big players in the grocery industry—companies such as Walmart—the pandemic was a boon. And profits have continued to climb, along with food prices, even as supply-chain disruptions have vanished.

Why did all of this happen? The FTC report implied an answer but did not state it outright: A handful of companies now control the food system of the United States, stifling competition in ways not seen since the great trusts and monopolies of the late 1890s. The mergers and acquisitions of the past four decades have greatly reduced the number of companies—a fact hidden by the multiplicity of brands. Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, runs grocery stores under more than two dozen names. That number would nearly double if its announced merger with Albertsons is allowed to proceed.

More:

 

Dow tumbles 475 points, S&P 500 suffers worst day since January as inflation woes erupt: Live updates​

Stocks sold off Friday as inflation and geopolitical worries once again dented investor sentiment on Wall Street. A broad decline in major bank shares also weighed on the market.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 475.84 points, or 1.24%, closing at 37,983.24. The S&P 500 tumbled 1.46% at 5,123.41. The Nasdaq Composite pulled back by 1.62% at 16,175.09.

At one point in the trading session, the Dow was down by nearly 582 points, or 1.51%. The S&P 500 slid as much as 1.75%.

Week to date, the broad market index dropped 1.56%, and the 30-stock Dow fell 2.37%. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq is 0.45% lower for the week.

JPMorgan Chase shares declined more than 6% after the banking giant posted its first-quarter results. The bank said net interest income, a key measure of what it makes through lending activities, could be a little short of what Wall Street analysts are expecting in 2024. CEO Jamie Dimon also warned about persistent inflationary pressures weighing on the economy.

More:

 

Feeder cattle prices $2 to $5 lower for the week | Weekly Livestock Market Update​

Apr 12, 2024

Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Meghan Grebner and University of Missouri Market Analyst Scott Brown talk feeder cattle prices being $2 to $5 lower for the week.


18:37
 

Iran Captures MV MSC Aries off the Straits of Hormuz | Shipping Under Attack​

Apr 13, 2024 #supplychain #iran #israel

In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - examines the seizure of MV MSC Aries by Iran off the Straits of Hormuz on April 13, 2024


11:46

- Marine Traffic www.marinetraffic.com
- Video of Seizure / 1779100303339487481
- Iran and Israel’s Undeclared War at Sea (Part 1): IRGC-Hezbollah Financing Schemes https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/p...
- Tracking Maritime Attacks in the Middle East Since 2019 https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/p...
- U.S. Moves Warships to Defend Israel in Case of Iranian Attack https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east...
- Tracking US Naval Assets in the Middle East / 1778610151617933541
- Zodiac Maritime https://www.zodiac-maritime.com/
- MSC Schedule https://www.msc.com/en/search-a-schedule
 
maritime-executive.com

Spice and Vice

Gather ‘round for a story about German bankers, Dutch rebels, Spanish and Portuguese royals, Asian sultanates and English pirates. Such a cast of act...
maritime-executive.com maritime-executive.com
 
Cross post from the https://www.pmbug.com/threads/franc...more-after-ship-strike.7301/page-5#post-99359 thread.

Preface:

en.wikipedia.org

Peter Zeihan - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

zeihan.com

Homepage - Zeihan on Geopolitics

Peter Zeihan an expert in geopolitics: the study of how place impacts financial, economic, cultural, political and military developments. He presents customized executive briefings to a wide array of audiences...
zeihan.com zeihan.com

en.wikipedia.org

Merchant Marine Act of 1920 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

www.investopedia.com

What Is the Jones Act? Definition, History, and Costs

The Jones Act is a federal law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States.
www.investopedia.com www.investopedia.com

Peter Zeihan Blames the Jones Act for Why He Doesn't Care about the Key Bridge | Better Call Sal!​

April 14, 2024

In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - reacts to Peter Zeihan's video on why the Jones Act makes the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore less significant.


19:42

- Why I Don't Care About the Fallen Bridge in Baltimore || Peter Zeihan • Why I Don't Care About the Fallen Bri...
- IMF Portwatch Baltimore https://portwatch.imf.org/pages/3ee54...
- Transportation Statistics Annual 2023 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/72943
 
www.freightwaves.com

TCA’s Heller: Trucking has adjusted to route diversions post-Baltimore

TCA executive David Heller sees the trucking industry as having made the necessary adjustments to deal with the Baltimore harbor closure.
www.freightwaves.com www.freightwaves.com

www.freightwaves.com

Borderlands Mexico: Samsara opens new office to focus on expanding cross-border trade

This week in Borderlands: Samsara opens new office to focus on expanding cross-border trade; TriumphPay expands payments network to Mexico; China-based auto supplier to build $36M factory in Mexico; and
www.freightwaves.com www.freightwaves.com
 
Asian Markets

Morning Bid: De-risking, seeking safety as Middle East tensions rise​

April 15 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets.

Asian markets are set to open on the defensive on Monday, with heightened tensions in the Middle East spurring strong demand for safe-haven assets like the dollar, gold and U.S. Treasuries at the expense of stocks and local currencies.

Investor sentiment was already veering towards the negative following the U.S. bank earnings-driven equity market slump on Friday - JP Morgan shares had their biggest fall in almost four years and world stocks lost the most in six months.

More:

 
DYODD

Likely market reaction after Iran attacks Israel​

April 14 (Reuters) - Iran warned Israel and the United States on Sunday of a "much larger response" if there is any retaliation for its mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory on Saturday, as Israel said "the campaign is not over yet".

Iran launched explosive drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria on April 1, a first direct attack on Israeli territory that has stoked fears of a wider regional conflict.

Below are analysts' quotes on how financial markets are likely to react to developments.

More:

 

Exclusive: Russia and China trade new copper disguised as scrap to skirt taxes, sanctions​

April 15 (Reuters) - Russian Copper Company (RCC) and Chinese firms have avoided taxes and skirted the impact of Western sanctions by trading in new copper wire rod disguised as scrap, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Copper wire rod was shredded in the remote Xinjiang Uyghur region by an intermediary to make it hard to distinguish from scrap, the sources said, allowing both exporters and importers to profit from differences in tariffs applied to scrap and new metal, the sources said.

Russia's export duty on copper rod was 7% in December, lower than the 10% levy on scrap. Imports of copper rod into China are taxed at 4%, and there is no duty on Russian scrap imports.

The sales of new metal disguised as scrap, which started in December, are reflected in a discrepancy between Chinese and Russian data.

Chinese customs data showed China has bought significantly more copper scrap from Russia since December, while Russian figures Reuters obtained from a commercial data provider showed the amount of scrap exported to the country's biggest trade partner was negligible.

More:

 
US Markets

Morning bid: Weekend safety trades unwind amid Iran/Israel tension​

April 15, 202

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan

A rush to traditional financial havens on Friday on fears over Iran's widely-flagged retaliatory strike on Israel has partly reversed since Saturday's drone attack was largely foiled - but markets remain jittery as the situation unfolds.

Most notably U.S. crude oil prices fell back sharply from their pre-weekend pop to new 2024 highs and recoiled to the lowest in almost two weeks.

More:

 

Procter & Gamble price hikes thin shoppers’ wallets​

NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - Rising prices of personal care products could quash Americans' habit of buying big-brand-name items for their household pantries, posing a threat to Procter & Gamble (PG.N), opens new tab, one of the world's biggest makers of packaged goods.

The Cincinnati-based company is a bellwether for the consumer products industry. Its quarterly earnings, scheduled for Friday, set the tone for its peers like Dove body wash maker Unilever (ULVR.L), opens new tab and Clorox (CLX.N), opens new tab.

P&G has hiked prices more than 1% for the past nine quarters, bringing a nearly 16% jump in sales over the company's last three fiscal years. Wall Street expects P&G's revenues to rise once again, according to LSEG data.

But price hikes will make up less of any future sales growth, P&G executives said in prior earnings conference calls.

P&G investor Parnassus Investments expects P&G to restrict most of its future price hikes to its new and updated products, said Michelle Li, a Parnassus analyst. P&G recently rolled out Tide "fiber tile" detergent, Pampers diapers featuring children's character Bluey, and thicker and foamier Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.

More:

 
This is worth a listen - imo. Nothing to see, can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab.

The World is on the Brink, It’s Time to Start Paying Attention​

Apr 6, 2024

Today's episode of the Jay Martin Show features special guest, David Murrin - renowned global forecaster, investor, and author. Join Jay and David as they explore the cycles of war, wealth, and power that have historically shaped our world and our wallets. Unpacking the overlooked conflict that could dictate our future, Murrin offers a unique perspective on the battle for Africa, the rise and fall of empires, and the significant impacts these cycles have on the markets for oil, gold, silver, and Bitcoin. With insights grounded in history and driven by his background in physics, Murrin provides a provocative outlook on where we are in these cycles today and what the future may hold for global hegemony. You'll want to stick around until the end.


1:10:24

0:00 Intro
1:23 The Battle for Africa: Why It's the World's Most Overlooked Conflict
6:14 America's Decline: Murrin Predicts the Future
8:05 The Inevitable Clash: Hegemons in Decline vs Rising Powers
13:37 Democracy vs Autocracy: The Eternal Struggle
15:01 The End of Western Empires: Is America the Last?
20:34 Africa's Strategic Importance in Global Conflicts
26:01 World War III: Are We Already In It?"
31:19 The West's Betrayal of Ukraine
36:09 The Economic Time Bomb: China's Strategy Revealed
39:12 The Rise of Individualism: Its Impact on Society and Democracy
44:25 The Necessity of Lateral Thinking in Leadership
48:14 The Return to Community and Faith: A Trend Among Young Families

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJayMartinShow/videos

https://www.davidmurrin.co.uk/
 

Iran Seizes MSC Aries | Somali Pirates Release Abdullah | FBI Board Dali in Baltimore​

Apr 15, 2024 #MSCAries #Abdullah #Dali

In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discusses Iran's claim for MSC Aries 'Violating Maritime Laws', the Somali pirates releasing Abdullah after receiving $5 million and FBI board Dali to launch criminal investigation.


8:22

- Iran Says Seized MSC Aries was ‘Violating Maritime Laws’ https://gcaptain.com/iran-says-seized...
- Tanker Trackers / 1779783328700199029
- Somali Pirates Claim MV Abdullah Was Released After $5 Million Ransom Was Paidhttps://gcaptain.com/somali-pirates-c...
- FBI Opens Criminal Probe Into Baltimore Bridge Collapsehttps://gcaptain.com/fbi-opens-crimin...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom