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US and UK Escalate Mideast Tensions as Inflation Persists.​

Jan 12, 2024
17:21
 

Oil jumps as US, UK strike on Houthis sparks safe-haven push​

LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Global shares edged up on Friday while oil surged as the conflict in the Red Sea region appeared to escalate, while slightly hotter U.S. inflation data did not shift investors' view that interest rates could soon start to fall.

The MSCI All-World share index (.MIWD00000PUS) was up 0.3%, reflecting a bounce in Europe, where the STOXX 600 (.STOXX) rose nearly 1%, led partly by a rally in shares of aerospace and defence companies, where the sector index hit a record high. (.SXPARO)

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Commodity Roundup: Gold gains 1% on Middle East risks, oil jumps 4%; WASDE report in focus​

Gold prices rose on Friday as investors sought to reduce exposure to riskier markets amid escalating Middle East tensions, which drove safe-haven flows into bullion, but was set for a second-straight weekly loss as investors reassess whether interest rates will fall as soon as March. Spot gold (XAUUSD:CUR) gained +0.93% to $2,046.95 by 6 am ET.

The consumer price index, the most widely used measure of inflation, increased 0.3% in December. Economists had expected a 0.2% reading amid an easing of inflationary pressures. The CPI print closed 2023 up 3.4%, slightly above expectations.

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FBX Index January 2024: Market summary​

The Freightos Baltic Global index increased 16% month on month in December to $1,341/FEU as carriers succeeded in capacity restriction-driven GRIs early in the month on Asia – North Europe and Mediterranean lanes. This has been followed by increases related to Red Sea disruptions late in the month. Rates only surged from diversions away from the Suez Canal, however, after the close of the year.

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US & UK Strike Houthis | What does this mean for Global Shipping?​

Jan 12, 2024

In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discusses the strikes against the Houthi by the United States and the United Kingdom and what impact this will have on global shipping.

22:33

- Houthis Launch 27th Attack Against Shipping https://gcaptain.com/houthis-launch-2...
- Security Council strongly condemns Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/...
- Biden Strikes Deep Into Yemen To Protect Shipping https://gcaptain.com/biden-strikes-de...
- IMF Portwatch https://portwatch.imf.org/
- Drewry World Container Index - Jan 11 https://www.ajot.com/news/drewry-world-container-index-11-jan
- World Container Index - 11 Jan
- Shipping Stocks Surge on Strike at Houthis https://gcaptain.com/shipping-stocks-...
- Ships Warned to Avoid Red Sea After Airstrikes https://gcaptain.com/ships-warned-to-...
- Oil Tankers Avoid Red Sea After US/UK Strike https://studio.youtube.com/video/OaKk...
- Iran Seizes Oil Tanker in Retaliation Against U.S. Oil Confiscation https://gcaptain.com/iran-seizes-oil-...
 
 

Suez Canal ShutDown Ramifications Are Just Starting​

Premiered 9 hours ago

14:14

Win 500 Silver Coins! Enter here: https://SDBullion.com/sweepstakes
SUBSCRIBE to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/sdbullion?s...

This week, on the heels of underreported US Consumer Price Inflation data coming in higher than expectations.
The recent and now ongoing near-total shutdown of the Red Sea shipping lanes escalated in violence as British and US-led military strikes against Houthis rebels in Yemen kicked off yesterday.
The spot silver and gold prices in fiat US dollar terms sold off to start the week only to rally back on expanding violence in the Middle East to close the week.The spot gold price again cleared $2,050 oz to close another week of trading, while the spot silver price finished at over $23 oz again.
The spot gold-silver ratio ended this week where it started, at 88.
Some of the following charts, data, and headlines all suggest things are not going well, spanning from central bank balance sheets to many citizens increasingly suffering under growing cumbersome debt levels.
That will be all for our weekly SD Bullion Market Update. As always, to you out there.
Take great care of yourselves and those you love.
 

Air Strikes in Yemen | Global Trade at War | New Era of Piracy? | WGOW Shipping On What the Truck?!?​

Jan 13, 2024

In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - maritime historian @campbelledu - joins Tim Dooner on What the Truck?!? on @FreightWaves to discuss the US and UK strikes against Yemen, the impact that the Houthi are having on global trade, a new era of piracy, and should Sal and Tim drive small boats at F3 in November.

22:28

Follow Tim Dooner and Freightwaves at:
Twitter/X @timothydooner
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreightWaves/
https://www.freightwaves.com/

Full Episode: https://youtu.be/aTqLl2Fc2Mo?si=aT7g7...
 
A little bit of this a little bit of that in this article.

 
This is a documentary about the Silk Road. It's 52 minutes long and has some neat pics & scenery.

(Full Episode) The Silk Road | BBC Select​

Covering 5,000 miles, passing through 13 countries and crossing some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet, this is the fascinating story of the lucrative trade route which changed the course of civilization forever.
In this extraordinary documentary series, Dr Sam Willis explores how the fortunes, ideas and history of the West were shaped and exchanged by travelers from the East.

 

 

Commodity Roundup: Gold down; ING sees likely indirect impacts from Red Sea attacks on agri​

Precious metals ticked lower on Tuesday as the dollar index (DXY) gained an upper hand, with an uptick in the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury putting further pressure on non-yielding bullion. Market pricing now reflects around a 70% chance of a Federal Reserve rate cut in March, down from over 80% a week ago, and for the first ECB rate cut to begin in April, with traders having earlier expected March. Spot gold (XAUUSD:CUR) was down -0.67% to $2,040.65.

Investors are also keeping a close eye on fourth quarter corporate results, a raft of political and geopolitical developments, including developments in the Red Sea, Gaza and Ukraine. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Board Governor Waller's speech on the economic outlook at 1600 GMT, will be closely watched too; markets heartily cheered a shift in his hawkish views in November.

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Morning Bid: Rate cut cat-and-mouse game​

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

A shortened U.S. markets week starts on the back foot as Friday's slightly peculiar interest rate cut ebullience cools a touch again while U.S. banking giants resume the corporate earnings season.

Wall St has a lot to unpack from a three-day weekend packed with political developments home and abroad.

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential election, but lost its majority in parliament. And oil and natural gas prices continued to shrug off ongoing threats and attacks on Red Sea shipping after U.S. and UK forces hit back at Houthi protagonists in Yemen late last week.

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London Metal Exchange's growing Russian aluminium problem​

LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The amount of Russian aluminium stored in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses more than doubled over the course of December.

By the end of the month Russian-brand metal accounted for 90% of the exchange's warranted aluminium stocks.

There are no blanket Western sanctions on Russian aluminium and the LME has previously rejected calls to suspend the warranting of Russian brands.

Rather, the exchange has tweaked its delivery rules to reflect unilateral measures such as the penal import duties on Russian metal imposed by the U.S. government in February last year.

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Little bit of this, little bit of that. DYODD

Nothing to see (imo), can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab.

Everyone Must Prepare For What’s Coming In 2024 - Lyn Alden Market Analysis​

In this insightful video, we delve into the complexities of the housing market and equity prices with expert analysis from Lyn Alden. Alden's perspective on the resilience of these markets in recent years sets the stage for a deep dive into 2024's financial forecast. We explore the balancing act of supply and demand in the rental market, and how new multi-family supply is shaping the dynamics. Alden's long-term outlook suggests potential challenges for stocks and housing in inflation-adjusted terms, influenced by changing demographics and preferences, especially among millennials and Gen Z. We wrap up with a macroeconomic perspective, examining the relationship between national deficits and the economy, and draw comparisons with historical periods like the 1940s and 1970s. This video offers a comprehensive view of the current and future financial landscape, providing valuable insights for investors and policymakers alike. Join us in unraveling these economic patterns and preparing for what the future holds in the world of finance.

15:09
 
Nothing to see, can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab. 47 minutes long.

Unleashing Ai Revolution: Meet The Future Bank Teller, Lawyer, And Judge! — John Rubino​

Jan 15, 2024


Kerry Lutz and John Rubino discussed a range of topics, including the increasing layoffs in the tech and banking sectors, the future of banking and the impact of automation, the potential ramifications of AI integration in the legal system, the distressing state of the real estate market, the uranium market and the potential role of nuclear energy, the impact of new extraction technologies on oil production, the potential impact of automation and AI on the future of work, the price of gold, the recent release of Bitcoin ETFs and ETPs, and the border crisis.

The speakers analyzed various economic indicators such as consumer spending, commercial real estate, and credit card delinquencies to support their observations about the layoffs in the tech and banking sectors. They also explored the idea that traditional banks and branches may become obsolete as technology continues to advance, and predicted that many banking tasks could be automated without any loss of efficiency. Additionally, they expressed concerns about the vulnerability of AI to hacking and manipulation in the legal system.

The speakers also discussed the challenges faced by the real estate market, including the shift towards remote work, oversupply of buildings, and the challenges faced by various real estate investors. They highlighted the recent surge in uranium prices due to production issues at Kazatomprom and expressed optimism for the future of nuclear energy. They also explored the potential implications of automation and AI on the future of work, including the need for a societal transition and the potential for political pressure as automation progresses.

The speakers expressed cautious optimism about the trajectory of gold prices and its implications for investors, while expressing skepticism about the potential impact of Bitcoin ETFs and ETPs on the market. They also discussed the border crisis and its potential impact on northern cities and the political implications, as well as alleged Chinese military issues and broader concerns about corruption and incompetence in the U.S.

To read John's work visit https://Rubino.Substack.com
 

U.S. ship attacked off the coast of Yemen adds wrench in Red Sea transport, ag and energy trade​

Jan 16, 2024

This week, Will and special guest Pat reflect on what the attack of a U.S. ship near Yemen means for trade between Europe and Asia.

7:55
 

CNBC Daily Open: The Fed’s rude awakening​

WED, JAN 17 20242:30 AM EST

This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here.

What you need to know today​

Markets start week lower
U.S. stocks started the shortened week lower on Tuesday as investors closely watched fourth-quarter earnings, while tracking an uptick in Treasury yields after a Federal Reserve official said the central bank’s interest rate cutting cycle could be slower than what Wall Street expected. Stocks in Asia were lower, as Hong Kong led losses after tumbling 3%. China shares also fell after the country missed fourth quarter GDP estimates but met its year-end growth target of 5%.

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Commodity Roundup: Gold, oil down; China Q4 GDP data weigh on base metals​

Spot gold prices (XAUUSD:CUR) inched lower for a second-consecutive session on Wednesday, as investors dialed back expectations for a March rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve, and awaited comments from more Fed members this week. "Gold appears to have built solid support above $2,000 an ounce, but momentum to move higher in the short term has eased with uncertainty about the timing of Federal Reserve rate hikes," according to Money Metals Exchange.

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Morning Bid: China chill ahead of holiday retail readout​

January 17, 20246:02 AM EST Updated 20 min ago

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

Downbeat Wall St markets wondering if they've jumped the gun on interest rate cut speculation switched attention to China's spluttering economic engine and eyed a holiday retail readout.

World markets seemed to have returned this week to the 'glass half empty' view of 2024 that they started the year with - irked by edgy inflation updates, obstinate central bankers, a mixed start to the earnings season and worrying pockets of economic weakness.

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Nothing to see in this 21-minute podcast. Can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab if interested.

National Debt, Central Bank Digital Currencies and Cryptocurrency with Robert Kientz​

Kerry Lutz and Robert Kientz discussed various economic issues, including potential layoffs in the banking and tech sectors, challenges faced by the banking system, and the evolving global economic landscape. They also explored the impact of the growing national debt and its potential repercussions on asset values and wealth distribution among different generations. Additionally, they expressed concerns about the potential for a recession and the complexities the Federal Reserve may encounter in addressing inflation and interest rates.

The conversation also delved into the role of financialization on various assets, with a focus on the potential impact of Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs) on the cryptocurrency market. Kientz and Lutz highlighted concerns about manipulation and centralization, emphasizing the need for a critical examination of the impact of ETPs on the cryptocurrency market. Finally, they discussed the outlook for the gold and silver market in 2024, with Kientz predicting increased interest in these precious metals driven by potential volatility and geopolitical uncertainty in the upcoming year.

 
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