Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at a power fixed-rate billing scheme. (See the Commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

Silver supply deficit reaches record high, could fuel price growth – Silver Institute report.

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At Gold-Eagle.com: Investors flock to gold, silver bullion to protect wealth in Q1.

Economy & Finance:

Conference Board: Probability of US Recession Remains Elevated.

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Money-Supply Growth Fell to a 50-Year Low in February. Will the Fed Panic? JWR’s Comments: Always remember: The money multiplier effect of fractional reserve banking works in reverse, as bank deposits are withdrawn. In a full-scale baking panic, we might see some short-term deflation.

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Reader H.L. sent this link: Andy Beal, America’s richest banker, makes a massive bond bet on inflation.

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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Robin Hood in reverse: Biden green agenda raising prices for consumers, profits for Dem donors.

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At Zero Hedge: US Annualized Debt Costs Exceed $800 Billion. JWR’s Comments: Be sure to take a close look at the charts. An upright spike like this is not sustainable! A sovereign debt crisis for the US Treasury is inevitable. That will be quickly followed by a Dollar crisis, as trillions of offshore Dollars come home to roost. Be prepared for mass inflation!

Commodities:

Some more socialist claptrap: California power companies roll out fixed-rate bill proposal. JWR’s Comment:  Governments shouldn’t be in the Robin Hood business. How about treating all customers equally?

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Colder temperatures and crop disruption ahead? Photos: Ashfall widespread as Russian volcano continues to erupt.

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From OilPrice News: Germany Moves To Ban Most Oil And Gas Heating Systems From 2024.

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Alan sent us this: Copper price forecast: on the cusp of a 10% jump.

Inflation Watch:

Inflation surprise makes Bank of England rate rise almost a certainty.

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Central banks have yet to script final act of inflation fight as risks rise.

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South Africa Inflation Ticked Up in March as Food Prices Kept Rising.

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India’s March wholesale inflation eases to 30-month low on easing input prices.

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Down to “just 50%, annually” Turkey Inflation: CPI, ann. var. %, aop.

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Iran’s Economic Challenges in 2023: Inflation, Investment, and International Relations.

Forex & Cryptos:

In New Zealand: Recession tipped to be deeper and arrive earlier.

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At Currency Thoughts: Stronger Dollar, Higher Long-Term Interest Rates, and Softer Equities.

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House Republicans To Propose Lifting Debt Limit By $1.5 Trillion, Or Until March 31 2024. JWR’s Comment: Why do they even bother to continue to call it a “limit” or “ceiling”, when they raise it with such regularity?

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Cash will become ‘less useable’ as high street goes contactless, says Bank of England.

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Brandon Smith: Project Icebreaker: The Beginning Of A One World Digital Currency System?

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CNBC: Bitcoin and ether fall as investors weigh persistent inflation and rising interest rates.

Tangibles Investing:

Housing starts plunge 17.2%, raising recession fears.

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Mortgage demand plummets as interest rates soar higher.

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Home Prices Fell 3% in March—Biggest Annual Drop in Over a Decade.

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2023 Housing Market Correction: Forecast for the Rest of the Year.

Provisos:

SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.

News Tips:

Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant because they come from folks who closely watch specific markets. If you spot any news that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, then please send it in. News items from local news outlets that are missed by the news wire services are especially appreciated. Thanks!