Thursday, January 07, 2021

Ultimate Gaming and Home Working PC System Build 2021 - 5950X, RTX 3080, Asus MB - Scan Computers UK / Personal_Finance / Computing

By: HGR

New Year, New PC! Here are the specs and process of buying of top of the line PC system that I bought from Scan Computers UK, how much will it cost find out as I use their online configuration tool to spec out an 5950x RTX 3080, X570 build right to checking out and actually buying the system all of which you can use as a template for your own configs whether self or fromn a number of system builders across the UK, US and world. Of course now I have the long wait for the PC to actually land on my doorstep as the world continues to face the consequences of huge pandemic induced work from home demand for tech made worse by scalpers, still hopefully a month from now it 'should' be delivered and then we can continue this series.

Thursday, January 07, 2021

Inflation the bug-bear looking forward through 2021 / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets 2021

By: Christopher_Quigley

Since the Covid 19 crisis began in March 2020 just over 10 trillion dollars have been pumped into the World's economies. This is the reason why the stock markets are breaking into new highs despite the fact that most countries are in recession.

"Given the broad global impact of the COVID-19 crisis, few populations, businesses, sectors, or regions have been able to avoid the knock-on economic effects. That means government measures have had to support large parts of the economy in a very short time to maintain financial stability, maintain household economic welfare, and help companies survive the crisis. In addition, countries have tended to escalate their interventions as the crisis increases in severity and lockdowns persist. Nine of ten countries in our data set have already announced at least one additional financial-relief or -stimulus package. Two-thirds of countries have announced three or more packages, while a few countries have announced as many as six or seven packages".

Thursday, January 07, 2021

ESG ETF Investing Flows Drive Clean Energy to Fresh Highs / Companies / Investing 2021

By: Chris_Vermeulen

The ESG theme has taken the capital markets by storm in 2020. Fund flows into this space have been relentless, helping to drive the clean energy sector to fresh highs. In the first half of 2020, 23-new exchange-traded funds were launched under the ESG umbrella. By the end of the Q3, ESG index funds hit $250 billion in value. The ESG umbrella focuses on many different areas and has flourished during the pandemic. With a vaccine on the horizon, the question for investors is whether this sector will remain sustainable.

What is ESG and ESG Investing

The term ESG stands for:

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

The term brings to mind concepts like climate change, diversity and inclusion, and resource scarcity. While these are forms of ESG, it also covers social practices, including labor and talent management and data security and product safety. It includes employee experience, executive pay, and ethics. There is a wide divide amongst stakeholders on what the term means and how to communicate and manage the concept.

Thursday, January 07, 2021

5 Financial Market Surprises in 2021 / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets 2021

By: Jared_Dillian

Plenty of people made predictions for 2020, with hilarious results.

So for 2021, I am going to give you my list of surprises instead.

Thursday, January 07, 2021

Time to ‘Reset’ Your Investment Portfolio in 2021? / Commodities / Investing 2021

By: MoneyMetals

If global elites have their way, 2021 will be the year of the “Great Reset.”

They believe now, after the coronavirus and lockdown policies have inflicted a heavy toll on the public, is the perfect opportunity to implement their technocratic vision.

Their longstanding plans to transform economies in the name of various “sustainability” and “equity” goals are being aggressively implemented.

World Economic Forum chairman Klaus Schwab vows, "a renewed focus on public health and resilience, net-zero pledges and the arrival of Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics—all but ensure that 2021 will be a new 'Year Zero.'"

Thursday, January 07, 2021

Bitcoin Price Collapses almost 20% at the start 2021 / Currencies / Bitcoin

By: Chris_Vermeulen

After an incredible upside price rally that took place throughout the end of 2020, the recent 20% decline in Bitcoin prices, seemingly overnight on January 4th, may have come as a shock to many Bitcoin traders.  The deep low price was reached in early trading overnight on very heavy volume – reaching levels near $27,734.  Compared to the high price level reached just 27 hours earlier, near $34,800, this strong price decline represents a 20% sell off (over -$7040).

Bitcoin Daily Chart

If this is the start of a broader downtrend for Bitcoin, we’ll have to watch the MAGENTA trend level on this Daily Bitcoin chart below for an indication the upward support channel is breached.  This may be a deep pullback in a stronger uptrend still.  But the heavy volume and very deep decline suggest the upside parabolic price trend may have “popped” and Bitcoin may be setting up for a bigger change in trend in early 2021.

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Fed Taper Nervous Breakdown / Interest-Rates / Quantitative Easing

By: Michael_Pento

The next time the Fed reduces its bond purchase program the market reaction should be more like a nervous breakdown rather than just a tantrum.

First let’s review a bit of the historical histrionics surrounding the initial Taper Tantrum. Back in September 2012, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing program was running at the level of $85 billion per month. The asset purchase program consisted of both Mortgage-Backed Securities and Treasuries. Then, in December 2012, Fed Chair Ben Bernanke expanded his massive QE 3 scheme by making its duration unlimited. But by May 2013, the time had finally arrived to start discussing the tapering of its asset purchases. And in December of that year Tapering officially began; with QE ending by October 2014. Of course, the Fed would be back in the QE game six years later. But at the time, the overwhelming consensus thinking was that the 100-year economic storm had passed and we would never witness such extraordinary actions by our central bank ever again.

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

What Will the U.S. Dollar Ring in for 2021? / Currencies / US Dollar

By: P_Radomski_CFA

The fate of the U.S. Dollar will weigh heavily on the future of the precious metals in 2021. At first glance, the USDX’s prospects look rather bleak in the first months of the year, but as the pages of the book turn, the dollar’s likely later ascension could prove rather bearish for gold and the PMs.

Breaking hearts as the USD Index falls in and out of love, the greenback continues to leave bulls at the altar, which is likely to have important implications for the gold market in the following weeks . Dressed to impress, investors lined the cathedral aisles as the USDX looked ready to commit to the 90-level.

But as cold feet turned into a dash for the exit, 2020 ended without a celebration.

However, as we enter 2021 and net-short futures positions (non-commercial traders) remain at their highest level since 2006, the slightest shift in sentiment could have wedding bells ringing again.

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Stock market frenzy- Ride the bandwagon but be sure to take along some gold coins / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2021

By: Michael_J_Kosares

What is it with billionaires and gold?

When billionaire Sam Zell warned at the end of December that the dollar’s status as the world’s principal reserve currency was in jeopardy, it nudged something in the back of the mind about the number of billionaires over the past year who issued similar warnings. The wealthiest among us, it seems, are also the most vocal and proactive about the dangers they see dead ahead. Meanwhile, the unschooled masses utilize online investment portals from Robinhood to Schwab to dash headlong into the most wildly overvalued stock market in history.

In a recent MarketWatch interview, Charlie Munger, another billionaire and Warren Buffett’s business partner called the current stock market frenzy “the most dramatic thing that’s almost ever happened in the entire world history of finance.” He believes that “we’re in very uncharted waters. Nobody has gotten by with the kind of money printing now for a very extended period without some kind of trouble. We’re very near the edge of playing with fire.” Ray Dalio, who heads up the world’s largest hedge fund (Bridgewater Securities) and another billionaire, believes that the world is likely to change in “shocking ways” over the next five years, including a loss of faith in the U.S. dollar: “Within the next five years you could see a situation in which foreigners who have been lending money to the United States won’t want to.”

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Overclockers UK Custom Build Gaming System Review Heat Test and Final Conclusion / Personal_Finance / Computing

By: HGR

Our final test on a custom built PC from Overclockers UK was to see how hot the CPU runs under load, as it should be every buyers first test! So how did the overclockers system that cost £1000 fair? Noting that the case was not our preferred choice. Anyway find out how we rate Overclockers custom built PC's if you are thinking of buying a mid-range custom built PC.

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Precious Metals Resuming Bull Market, Gold, Silver, GDX Trend Forecasts 2021 / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2021

By: Ken_Ticehurst

Gold and silver continue to be bullish, the gold miners are mixed and bitcoin continues to outperform. Despite the unprecedented events of 2020 the precious metals have had a positive year, the pandemic brought volatility to the market with a sharp drop followed by a continuation of the upward trend that had begun before Covid disrupted our lives.

Unprecendented global liquidity since the pandemic has been the catalyst for much of the recent reflation in markets, Central Bank willingness to maintain ultra low rates, Government deficits, stimulus packages and infrastructure projetcs are all adding to rising markets.

Whilst Coronavirus is still with us it seems as though we are over the worst of it, with better testing and vaccines available to us, barring an unprecedented mutation it is unlikely to provide no more than a mild headwind to investors as we head to the peak of the Northern Hemisphere flu season.

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Trump’s Iran-COVID-Gate Anniversary  / Politics / Iran

By: Dan_Steinbock

A year ago, the Trump administration escalated regime change efforts against Iran, while shunning the war against COVID-19. Due to misplaced priorities, more Americans have perished in the pandemic than US combatants in World War II.

In the past month, US B-52 bombers flew over the Gulf three times in a show of force the Trump administration called a deterrence measure. Presumably, to keep Iran from retaliating on January 3; the first anniversary of the assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike.

The international concern is that President Trump could resort to military action against Iran, even in his remaining days in office.

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

2021 May Be A Good Year For The Cannabis / Marijuana Sector / Companies / Cannabis

By: Chris_Vermeulen

Great progress in terms of legalization was made for the Cannabis/Marijuana sector in 2020 that will.  The 2020 elections resulted in a number of US states engaging in new Cannabis friendly policies and laws being approved by voters. This suggests a new rally in the Cannabis sector may be setting up in 2021 and beyond for traders. Our BAN – Best Asset Now – trading strategy is always looking out for the next sector to make a trade, and the Cannabis sector is certainly one we are keeping our eyes on! Make sure you sign up for my FREE webinar to find and trade the Best Assets Now just like me.

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Stock Market Approaching an Important Target / Stock-Markets / Stock Market 2021

By: Andre_Gratian

Current Position of the Market

SPX Long-term trend:  There is some good evidence that we are still in the bull market which started in 2009 and which could continue into the first quarter of 2021 before coming to an end.

SPX Intermediate trend:  New intermediate uptrend ending?

Analysis of the short-term trend is done daily with the help of hourly charts. They are important adjuncts to the analysis of daily and weekly charts which determine longer market trends.

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Consumer Prices Are Not Reflecting Higher Inflation; Neither Is The CRB / Economics / Inflation

By: Kelsey_Williams

As of November 30th, the annual inflation rate for the year 2020 is 1.17% (CPI). And it is not likely to get a whole lot worse anytime soon.

When the Federal Reserve responded to the financial crisis of 2007-08 with hugely unprecedented monetary expansion efforts, many thought that it would lead to runaway inflation and collapse of the U.S. dollar. It didn’t; and the expected higher inflation rates did not occur.

What did happen is that consumer prices remained reasonably stable and we even saw lower prices in 2009 and 2015.

Monday, January 04, 2021

NEW UK Coronavirus PANIC FULL Lockdown Imminent, All Schools to Close! GCSE Exams Cancelled! / Politics / Pandemic

By: N_Walayat

Today was Eliza's first day back and school, unfortunately it could the first and last for some time as a NEW UK Coronavirus total lockdown is imminent, that looks set to include the closure of all UK schools due to the new strain of the virus that is 50% more virulent spreading like wildfire sending the number of daily cases soaring with NHS hospitals full to the brim with covid-19 patients without any spare capacity for the daily onslaught of over 1000 patients arriving per day.

Whilst the Nightingale hospitals proved to be disastrous waste of resources, for without doctors and nurses a hospital bed is just the same as any bed. Therefore this time round there is no mad rush to activate Nightingale hospitals which during the chinese viruses first wave pulled desperate resources away from NHS hospitals that likely made the April death toll worse than it would have been, a painful lesson learned.

Monday, January 04, 2021

The Year the World Fell Down the Rabbit Hole / Stock-Markets / Financial Markets 2020

By: Gary_Tanashian

Conspiracies and bias hurt investors

It’s no wonder so many people have been unable to attain proper market positioning in 2020. You invest with your heart, soul, fears or even sometimes your intellect and you risk blowing yourself up at worst, or missing out at best. For much of 2020 Twitter has been a forum for ‘influencers’ with tens of thousands of followers spewing dogma and influencing their herds alright. I watched it happen all year, in the Twitter machine and at other venues.

You know the perma-bearish or ‘got gold?’ types, issuing dire warnings and authoritative discussion of just how bad off the world is (well, it ain’t good, I grant them that). But it’s the practical reaction or lack thereof, not the news itself that matters.

Monday, January 04, 2021

A Year Like No Other for Precious Metals… and Everything Else / Commodities / Gold & Silver 2020

By: MoneyMetals

Well, it’s been a year like no other in so many ways. “Unprecedented” is an often-overused term. But there truly is no precedent for much of what transpired in public health, politics, the monetary system, the economy, and markets.

More than 300,000 Americans reportedly lost their lives while infected with COVID-19.  Less widely publicized was a spike in deaths of despair due to lockdowns and related social ills that drove all too many into depression and drug addiction.  Or the deaths that were caused, or will be caused, by Americans putting off or avoiding doctor’s visits.

America’s cities burned while the mainstream media egged on anti-police protests. In their aftermath, record surges in murders and other violent crimes followed across the country.

Monday, January 04, 2021

The Stocks Bull Market is Only Half Completed / Stock-Markets / Stock Market 2021

By: Donald_W_Dony

After over 11 years of continuous advancement, the bull market is finally starting to show signs of its age.

Historically, secular bull markets tend to last about 18 years. This was the case for the prior three bull markets.

From 1919 to 1930 and from 1949 to 1970 and again from 1982 to 2000, the U.S. stock market unrelentingly rose despite fundamental and economical challenges.

The current bull market has also faced a number obstacles over the past 11 years. But similar to past secular bulls, shows no signs of altering its upward path.

Monday, January 04, 2021

An In- Depth Look At Gold Price Trend / Commodities / Gold & Silver 2020

By: Rambus_Chartology

Gold plays a duel role as a commodity and as a monetary metal which makes it important to keep a close eye on. During the early stages of a commodity bull market Gold will generally lead the whole complex higher. When the troops see the General leading they will feel more emboldened to have their turn at a bull market. We’ve seen this scenario playing out since the Spring of this year where most of the important commodities have bottomed out and are beginning their new respective bull markets. Gold actually bottomed in late  December of 2015 while commodities continued in their bear markets into the Spring of 2020.

As a monetary metal some investors like to use Gold as a safe way to store wealth or as a hedge against inflation. Other investors like to have Gold in their portfolio in case the stock markets crash and the economy goes into a deep tailspin and never recovers again. One thing we do know is that Gold will always have a monetary value and not go to zero which is possible with an individual stock.

In this in-depth look at Gold we’ll look at it from the daily to quarterly charts, in bar and line charts and ratio combo charts which will paint the history for gold starting from the 1970’s to the present. When you finish reading this post you should have a strong understanding of where Gold has been and where it is likely to go based on the Chartology. There are no absolutes when it comes to the markets, but as we know history never repeats exactly the same but can rhyme to a certain degree.

Let’s start with a daily chart for Gold and then work our way out to the longer term charts and try to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to form a working scenario we can use to help guide us going forward. Without a game plan or working scenario one is left to the emotional destruction, from a psychological perspective, that ruins most investors that don’t have a true understanding of how markets work.