Friday, May 24, 2019
Nigel Farage's Brexit Party EU Elections Seats Results Forecast / ElectionOracle / BrExit
By: N_Walayat
It's May the 23rd and we're off to vote in the EU Elections, elections that shouldn't be taking place because Britain was supposed to LEAVE the EU on the 29th of March, but here we are near 6 weeks on forced to vote in an election that shouldn't be taking place!
So this election looks set to deliver Britain's political establishment another bloody nose as many millions of voters will ensure that the winner of the election will br Nigel Farage's Brexit party that looks set to far out poll other parties, perhaps even beat Labour, Lib-Dems and Tories combined!
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Friday, May 24, 2019
Powerful Signal from Gold GDX / Commodities / Gold and Silver Stocks 2019
By: P_Radomski_CFA
Gold and silver declined a bit yesterday, but mining stocks reversed and closed the session higher. It seems that the miners showed strength, especially that they formed a bullish reversal candlestick. But did they? The reversal candlesticks should be confirmed by strong volume and what we saw in the GDX ETF yesterday was the lowest daily volume of the year. In fact, the GDX volume was lower than any volume that we saw in 2018. And 2017. And 2016. And even 2015. The last time when we saw as low a volume was on May 21, 2014 (yes, exactly 5 years earlier). So, how should we read this price action?
It is not the reversal or relative strength that is the powerful signal from the GDX. It’s the extremely low volume reading. What makes it so important right now, is that since March 2013 there were only four similar cases and they were all followed by exactly the same thing.
Quick declines.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
Eye Opening Currency Charts – Why Precious Metals Are Falling / Currencies / Forex Trading
By: Chris_Vermeulen
The incredible strength of the US Dollar over the past 12+ months has put downward pricing pressure on Gold and Silver. I believe this downward pricing pressure could be muting any upside price advanced in Gold and Silver by as much as 20% to 30% or more.
The US Dollar has turned into the global “safe-haven” for international investors and foreign governments. Over the past 6 to 12 months, or more, the US Dollar has been the only fiat currency to see any strength and upward trend. All the other major global currency levels have fallen – some dramatically lower.
The EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF have all fallen sharply over the past 6 to 12 months as the strength of the US Dollar and US Economy continued to surprise many. We’ve been calling this a “capital shift” that started back in 2015~2016 – when the 2016 US Election cycle began and China began to implement capital controls. At the same time, foreign nations such as Brazil and Venezuela began to shift into an economic abyss while the UK dealt with BREXIT negotiations. All of these external factors created an environment where the US Dollar became a global safe-haven for global investors – all of which were seeking US equities and US Dollars to hedge weakening foreign currencies and weak foreign stock market performance.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
Netflix Has 175 Days Left to Pull Off a Miracle… or It’s All Over / Companies / Internet
By: Stephen_McBride
Last year, half of Americans aged 22 to 45 watched zero hours of cable TV. And almost 35 million households have quit cable in the past decade.
All these people are moving to streaming services like Netflix (NFLX). Today, more than half of American households subscribe to a streaming service.
The media calls this “cord cutting.”
This trend is far more disruptive than most people understand. The downfall of cable is releasing billions in stock market wealth.
Combined, America’s five biggest cable companies are worth over $750 billion. And most investors assume Netflix will claim the bulk of profits that cable leaves behind.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
UK Savers Lock in Cash to Beat Inflation Erosion / Personal_Finance / Savings Accounts
By: MoneyFacts
Savers looking to beat the eroding impact of inflation will find that fixed bond rates have risen in the past 12 months, so they can now get a better true return on their cash. Not only this, but easy access and notice account rates are also increasing, however none of the rates on offer in these sectors are currently able to beat inflation.
Despite the fact that inflation has now risen above the Government target of 2%, the latest research from Moneyfacts.co.uk shows that it still remains lower than the level seen in both May 2017, when the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for April was announced at 2.7%, and May 2018 when inflation was 2.4%. Better still, savings rates have risen over both time periods.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
Elliott Wave Analysis of GBPUSD / Currencies / British Pound
By: WavePatternTraders
I suspect a relief bounce is close at hand for some of the GBP pairs, when we look at the decline from the May 2019 high, the new low on pairs such as GBPCHF and GBPCAD are supportive that the new low on GBPUSD is most likely the 5th wave of an impulse wave (5 wave decline) from 13176.A partial rally in 3 waves is favored soon, that can offer an opportunity for traders that are looking to sell GBPUSD, stops need to be placed at 13176. That is likely to align with a bounce on pairs like GBPCHF and GBPCAD etc.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
Capitalism Works, Ravenous Capitalism Doesn’t / Economics / Economic Theory
By: Raymond_Matison
For more than a century, capitalism has proven to be successful in expanding the efficient manufacture of goods and agricultural products, increasing jobs and incomes, promoting technological innovation, decreasing poverty and improving the general welfare of humans globally. By contrast, socialism and communism with its centrally planned economy and collectivism historically have produced misery, war, need and poverty through oppressive totalitarian governments.
Super hedge fund manager Ray Dalio, the president of Bridgewater Associates, the very successful and largest hedge fund in America recently released a thoughtful and timely report stating that “capitalism is broken” - pointing to, among other things, the gross income disparity between high and low earners. Ray Dalio’s judgment of broken capitalism relates to his observation that the vast majority of wages going to the top 5% wage earners does not benefit the overall economy, destabilizes society and is destructive to capitalism. The fact that a true-blue capitalist wrote the article should alert industrialists, globalists, bankers and all capitalists that perhaps “capitalism with American characteristics” has veered off its previously successful course. Capitalism does work; but ravenous capitalism is indeed self-destructive. The bounty of capitalism must be shared not only with its owners or investors, but also with its other “significant partners” – the nation’s workers.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
Trump's futile quest for a renminbi Plaza Accord / Politics / Protectionism
By: Dan_Steinbock
Recent US media reports claim China may depreciate its renminbi to cope with shrinking exports. Yet, economic realities are precisely the reverse. Worse, trade wars are about to hit American consumers. Recently, the White House lifted tariffs to 25% from 10% on $200 billion of Chinese goods, while targeting another $300 billion worth of Chinese imports for potential punitive tariffs.
As was to be expected, the renminbi depreciated from 6.7 to more than 6.9 against the US dollar, mainly on renewed trade tensions.
China retaliated by imposing duties on $60 billion of US goods, starting June 1. China could have retaliated hard, but opted for a mild response that highlights the importance of talks.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
Bitcoin's Strong Extensions Warn The Bear May Try To Come Back / Currencies / Bitcoin
By: Avi_Gilburt
In our last update, we stated that Bitcoin was providing us the minimum price patterns to suggest that a bull market was under way. Moreover, we were looking for a standard corrective pullback to solidify the bull market case.
But when the price action is too strong, it can flash warnings signals. This is clearly what we have seen over the last week or two. Price is always king, and we must not act emotionally as price barrels upward. We must continue to put price action to the test, as it is the only truth in the market.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
The Euro Is Bidding Its Time: A Reversal at Hand? / Currencies / Euro
By: Nadia_Simmons
Relentlessly, the USD Index keeps pushing higher. The euro has come under pressure earlier today though it looks to have stabilized. How close are we to the euro flashing a buy signal and how strong would that have to be to make us act? Is it time to change sides and make another quick buck or two this way? And what about the rest of our profitable positions?
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Gold Demand Rose 7% in Q1 2019. A Launching Pad Higher for Gold? / Commodities / Gold & Silver 2019
By: Arkadiusz_Sieron
In May, the WGC published a new edition of its quarterly report on gold demand. It features interesting data about the changes in gold demand and supply. What does the Gold Demand Trends Q1 2019 say about the gold market in the first quarter of the year? How will its conclusions be reflected going forward in the gold price?
WGC Publishes Report on Gold in Q1 2019
According to the newest WGC data, the supply of gold was virtually unchanged (modest growth in mine production and recycling were offset by a decline in hedging), while the gold demand rose 7 percent year-over year to 1,053.3 tons in the first quarter of 2019.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019
Financial Independence Has Nothing to Do with Being a Millionaire / Personal_Finance / Money Saving
By: Jared_Dillian
I am on Facebook, and there is a lot of crap on Facebook. Even the non-political crap is stuff I just do not believe in.
For example, people say that you should spend your money on experiences, not things. There is some spiritual component to this that I don’t get.
I like spending money on experiences (particularly travel), but I like spending money on things more. Clothes in particular.
You feel (and act) differently when you are wearing an expensive suit and an expensive pair of shoes. People who make $150,000 a year and still get all their clothes at Target do this not out of frugality, but low self-esteem.
It is good and right to spend money on yourself now and then.
The other crap you hear on Facebook, and pretty much everywhere else, is that money doesn’t make you happy.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Global Economic Tensions Translate Into Oil Price Volatility / Commodities / Crude Oil
By: Chris_Vermeulen
Our continued efforts to alert and assist fellow traders to the incredible setups that are currently happening throughout the globe with regards to increased global economic tensions are starting to take root. We are hearing from our readers and follower and we love the comments we are receiving. Near April/May 2018, we started predicting that the end of 2018 and almost all of 2019/2020 were going to include incredible opportunities for skilled traders. We made these predictions at about the same time that we issued a series of incredible calls regarding the future market moves in 2018 & 2019.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Fed Encourages Runaway US Debt as “Minsky Moment” Approaches / Interest-Rates / US Debt
By: MoneyMetals
Federal Reserve officials like to pretend they can use interest rates like a motorcycle throttle on the U.S. economy. They can either rev things up by dropping interest rates or slow things down by moving rates higher.
The public has been led to believe the central planners can do whatever is needed with rates to keep things purring along.
The truth is the central planners at the Fed are meddling with forces beyond their control. They are encouraging consumers, companies, and government to take on debt. Soon, the nation will choke on it.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
The Coming Pension Crisis Is So Big That It’s a Problem for Everyone / Politics / Pensions & Retirement
By: John_Mauldin
A decade ago I pointed out that public pension funds were $2 trillion underfunded and getting worse. More than one person told me that couldn’t be right.
They were correct: It was actually much worse. It has gotten to $2 trillion and much worse in just a few years.
Note that we are talking here about a specific kind of pension: defined benefit plans. They are usually sponsored by state and local governments, labor unions, and a number of private businesses.
Many sponsors haven’t set aside the assets needed to pay the benefits they’ve promised to current and future retirees. They can delay the inevitable for a long time but not forever. And “forever” is just around the corner.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Top Democratic Presidential Candidates Opposing Trump / ElectionOracle / US Presidential Election 2020
By: BATR
At this early stage in the political propaganda war for the presidential 2020 election, the best the Democrats can come up with is "Anyone but Trump". Their chances for success resides in the talent that they perfected; namely, election fraud. The mainstream filtered media that attack President Trump share a bipartisan message. Whether wrapped in Marxist terms or Corporatist rational, they are based upon a globalist objective, which benefits international finance. Trump is not immune or exempted from the influence of these despots. The reason he is vilified as no other President has been is because he dares to push back against the established order.
Donald Trump has earned an exemplified record of achievement in the face of a Congress that refuses to bring up or vote for most needed legislation. Add to this impediment a Federal Court system of recreant judges, who ignore the constitution or make up decisions that are illegitimate.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Crude Oil, Hot Stocks, and Currencies – Markets III / Commodities / Crude Oil
By: Chris_Vermeulen
In our continued effort to help skilled traders/investors understand the future risks associated with geopolitical market turmoil, the EU Elections next week and the continued US/China trade war, this Part III of our Sector Rotation article will highlight certain sectors that we believe may continue to perform over the next 12 to 24+ months and help traders/investors survive any extended price volatility/rotation over that same time. Read Part I, and Part II.
Currently, the US stock market has weathered a bit of a jolt in terms of price rotation. After many stock indexes reached new all-time highs, the news of Iran Oil Sanctions, US/China trade talks failing and the political turmoil in DC as an incredible 2020 US Presidential election cycle heats up, investors are watching the markets for any signs of strength or weakness. Meanwhile, the US Dollar continues to strengthen against other global currencies in an incredible show of “King Dollar” strength and dominance. All of this plays into one of our favorite narratives that we started discussing over 30 months ago – the Global Capital Shift.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2019
The No.1 Energy Stock for 2019 / Companies / Solar Energy
By: OilPrice_Com
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Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Brexit Party and Lib-Dems Pull Further Away from Labour and Tories in Latest Opinion Polls / ElectionOracle / BrExit
By: N_Walayat
The latest european election polls have the Brexit Party and Lib Dems further pulling away from the Tories and Labour party. The polls were conducted by Yougov between 19th May and 21st of May.
The BrExit party continues to extend it's huge lead over the other parties by gaining 3% on the week to 37%.
Lib Dems widen their 2nd place position by gaining 2% at the expense of Labour that falls 2% to just 13%.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2019
The Deep State vs Donald Trump - US vs Them Part 2 / Politics / US Politics
By: James_Quinn
In Part I of this article I discussed why the “Us versus Them” mindset permeates society and how Trump has become a lightning rod for hate. Now I will assess his progress in fighting the Deep State and try to peer into a murky future.
In addition to not being Hillary, the main reasons I voted for Trump was he promised to build the wall, he promised to repeal and replace Obamacare, he promised to end our foreign military interventions, he said he would bring fiscal sanity to the budget, he said the Federal Reserve had blown an immense stock market bubble, he questioned the fake economic data spouted by government drones, and he called out the fake news bullshit media. When I regularly assess his progress on these issues, the standard response from Trump acolytes is “Would you rather have Hillary?”. No, I would not. But that doesn’t get Trump off the hook for his failures in my book.
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