Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

Prior to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the Federal Reserve board relied upon a little known but useful guideline that economists called "The Taylor Rule." We thought it was time to dust off the Taylor Rule, shine some light on what it says – and also discuss what's happened since the Fed abandoned its previously useful guideline. First, what is the Taylor Rule? Stanford University professor John Taylor introduced this formula in 1993 which prescribes ... >> Read More        

In early March a U.S. bill was introduced in an attempt to restrict Russia from selling their gold. The bill was a collaborative effort from a bipartisan group of senators. The bill has far-reaching implications because Russia is facing the toughest sanctions ever imposed in history. Many believe the Russian government will need to liquidate their gold reserves to remain afloat economically. Four senators introduced the Stop Russian GOLD Act. They are, Angus King (I-Maine), ... >> Read More        

The precious metals sector is roaring higher in 2022 fueled by the Russian war in Ukraine, skyrocketing crude oil prices, a sinking stock market and inflation at 40-year highs. As investors turn to precious metals as a portfolio risk diversifier, store of value over the long-term and a hedge against crisis – you may wonder – what's the difference between investing in gold and silver? Before we highlight three differences, let's take a look at ... >> Read More        

The stakes have reached new heights. As Putin puts nuclear-deterrence forces on alert many are hoping the planned talks between Ukraine and Russia yield progress. In an effort to hamper Putin’s invasion, the U.S. and many European countries have imposed sanctions against Russia. Recent moves directed at Russia’s central bank will dramatically limit the country’s ability to participate in the global financial system. One key outcome of these measures is that the government will likely ... >> Read More        

Gold climbed above the $1,900 an ounce level on Monday, hitting a fresh 8-month high. Investors are chasing the gold market higher, yet analysts say it's not too late to get into this move. Investors have long turned to gold for protection against inflation, which has erupted to a whopping 40-year high. Yet, gold also acts as a safe-haven asset and offer stability, wealth preservation in times of geopolitical stress. As the Russian-Ukraine military tensions ... >> Read More        

Are you making your Super Bowl plans now? While the clock is running down until game time, market historians remind us that the winner of the Super Bowl could offer clues on how the stock market will perform in 2022. Really? New York Times sportswriter Leonard Koppett developed the Super Bowl Indicator back in 1978. While at first this was a cheeky little theory, it has surprisingly shown teeth over the past 44 years, with ... >> Read More        

Inflation at 39-year highs. Stocks in correction territory. Fears about Russian military action into Ukraine. Federal Reserve rate hikes. Pick your poison. Financial markets are unraveling fast and there is panic and fear running wild on Wall Street. After three years of S&P 500 gains in the 18-31% area (historically abnormal, by the way), the stock market is returning to reality.  The worst performing stocks in 2022 are already down almost 90%. Here's a list ... >> Read More        

Investors are being tested. Equities are down significantly for the year and 2022 has only just begun. High-risk speculative assets like crypto have performed even worse. Meanwhile, inflation threatens “side line” money that investors are holding, as they wait to see how far the market will drop. As interest rate hikes loom there seem to be fewer places to invest. For most the goal has shifted from earning a decent return to merely preserving capital ... >> Read More        

Investors increasingly face an unseen opponent: technology. Often investors believe that technology empowers them. It enables mobile trading. It delivers endless data. What few realize is that technology works against them in many ways. Consider that high-frequency trading (HFT) accounts for 70 percent of all equities trading, and that, “fundamental discretionary traders” - people who log in and make a trade like an ordinary human - only account for about 10 percent of all trades ... >> Read More        

Investors face a diminishing list of places to park money in the low-rate environment of today. Holding cash is a losing strategy over the long-term as inflation reduces purchasing power. Bonds have little to offer as rates have remained low for a long time. Equities have soared in valuations leading to a cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings ratio (CAPE) that is at its second highest level since 1880. This elevated figure suggests that the stock market is ... >> Read More