The VR METALS/RESOURCE Letter provides subscribers his unique insights, opinions and education on the following market sectors: METALS (Gold, Silver, Copper, Palladium and Platinum) and all Natural Resource investments including ENERGY (Crude Oil, Natural Gas. Green/Solar energy and materials), Cyclical (Annual Forecast Model) analysis and technical analysis are utilized. Huge opportunities may lay ahead for all natural resource plays and the VR METALS/RESOURCE Letter will be on top of them regardless of which direction they move!
https://www.coinworld.com/news/precious-metals/oig-report-questions-sources-of-gold-used-by-mint
U.S. Stocks Move To The Downside But Post Strong Gains For 2024
Stocks showed a lack of direction early in the session on Tuesday but moved mostly lower over the course of the trading day. The tech-heavy Nasdaq led the downward move, slumping to its lowest closing level in a month.
The Nasdaq slid 175.99 points or 0.9 percent to 19,310.79 and the S&P 500 fell 25.31 points or 0.4 percent to 5,881.63. The narrower Dow posted a more modest loss, edging down 29.51 points or 0.1 percent to 42,544.22.
The weakness that emerged on Wall Street extended the sharp pullback seen over the two previous sessions, as some traders cashed in on this year’s strong gains.
Despite the recent softness, the major averages still posted standout gains for 2024, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq soaring by nearly 30 percent for the year.
The Dow also surged by nearly 13 percent for the year, while the S&P 500 posted its second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20 percent, spiking by more than 23 percent.
Semiconductor and software stocks turned in some of the market’s worst performances on the day, contributing to the decline by the Nasdaq, while oil producer stocks moved higher along with the price of crude oil.
The extended pullback on Wall Street may have reflected concerns about the outlook for the markets in the new year following recent volatility.
Stocks have shown wild swings over the past couple of weeks following the Federal Reserve’s forecast for fewer rate cuts in 2025 earlier this month.
Overall trading activity remained somewhat subdued, however, as some traders looked to get a head start on their New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Other Markets
In overseas trading, stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region moved mostly lower on Tuesday, with markets in Japan and South Korea closed on the day. China’s Shanghai Composite Index tumbled by 1.6 percent, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index slid by 0.9 percent.
Meanwhile, most European stocks moved to the upside, although several major markets were closed. While the French CAC 40 Index advanced by 0.9 percent, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index climbed by 0.6 percent.
In the bond market, treasuries saw modest weakness following the notable rebound seen in the previous session. Subsequently, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, rose 2.8 basis points to 4.573 percent.
Looking Ahead
Following the New Year’s Day holiday on Wednesday, trading on Thursday may be impacted by reaction to a report on weekly jobless claims.
https://www.howestreet.com/
NEXT PODCAST THIS EVENING, JANUARY 2
THE CASE FOR ABOLISHING THE FEDERAL RESERVE
——————————
NEXT FOMC MEETINGS: (GOD HELP US)
For 2025:
- Tuesday, January 28, and Wednesday, January 29
- Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19
- Tuesday, May 6, and Wednesday, May 7
- Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 18
- Tuesday, July 29, and Wednesday, July 30
- Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17
- Tuesday, October 28, and Wednesday, October 29
- Tuesday, December 9, and Wednesday, December 10
Here are some companies that are developing small modular reactors (SMRs):
NuScale Power: A US-based company that received final approval from the federal government for its reactor design. NuScale’s modular plants can generate
up to 924 MWe.
Nano Nuclear Energy: A company that’s working on two microreactor designs, Zeus and Odin, that will produce 1 to 2 MW of electricity.
TerraPower: A company founded by Bill Gates in 2008. TerraPower’s 345-MWe reactor has a thermal storage component.
Kairos Power: A company that engineers molten salt reactors. Google recently signed an agreement with Kairos to provide power for artificial intelligence
technologies.
Westinghouse: A company that’s developing the eVinci micro reactor.
BWXT Technologies: A subsidiary of BWX Technologies based in Lynchburg, VA.
Other companies that are involved in the small modular reactor market include:
China National Nuclear Corporation
State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
SMRs could be a solution to some of the challenges of traditional nuclear power, such as making plants cheaper and quicker to build, and safer to operate.
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY IN PRESIDENT TRUMP’S AND OUR FUTURE
The Good
Trump will pursue a twenty-first-century version of what was originally known as the American System. This system relied on the following policies:
High tariffs to support manufacturing and high-paying jobs
Infrastructure investment (public and private) to support productivity
A strong army and navy to protect the U.S. but not to fight foreign wars
A central bank with limited powers to provide liquidity to commerce
To the extent there was government spending, it was for productive projects such as canal and road building and later to support railroads. To the extent
that early central banks existed, they were for secure lending to sound entities (including the U.S. government) and not for purposes such as printing
money, fixing interest rates or “stimulus.”
The entire system could be summarized as sound money, smart investment and a strong military in the service of high-paying American jobs.
The American System prevailed from 1790 to 1962 with occasional periods of agrarian ascendency and some disruptions such as the Civil War. Beginning after
World War I, the neo-liberal movement of Austrian economists and libertarians began to promote globalist policies of open borders, open capital accounts
and free trade.
Of course, free trade is a myth because of subsidies and non-tariff barriers. Comparative advantage is obsolete because the factors of production are
highly mobile. Taiwan had no comparative advantage in semiconductors in 1979, but today they dominate global production. They made that happen through a
Taiwanese version of the American System.
In contrast, the neo-liberals were living an ideological fantasy in which globalism was to displace sovereignty. At a minimum, their goal was encasement
of sovereigns in a larger orb of multilateral institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, WTO and the United Nations.
Beginning with the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the Trade Act of 1974 and successive rounds under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (today the
WTO), the U.S. embraced the neo-liberal consensus including drastic tariff cuts. As jobs moved offshore to take advantage of cheap labor, capital followed
as direct foreign investment.
The result was the hollowing-out of U.S. manufacturing, wage stagnation, slower growth, greater debt and a succession of failed wars. The open border
policy of Biden-Harris is consistent with neo-liberal views on the end of sovereignty but is a death knell for American jobs and social cohesion.
Trump and his economic team will return the United States to the pre-1962 glory days with the revival of the American System. Foreign companies will be
free to sell goods to Americans but only if they are manufactured in the U.S.
This will lead to a wave of inbound investment in the U.S., a reduction in U.S. trade deficits, a stronger dollar (as the world demands dollars to invest
here), and higher wages for U.S. workers. Higher wages will raise real incomes, stimulate consumption, decrease income inequality and expand the tax base
to help reduce deficits without raising tax rates.
It’s a win for American manufacturing and a win for the American people.
The Bad
But before we get there, expect a tough economic (and market) environment at the beginning of Trump’s term. Administrations matter, personnel matters,
policy matters, but there’s something bigger than Trump in the White House. It’s called the economy. The economy goes its own way. Business cycles have
not been erased. The transition from Biden to Trump will bring economic pain as Trump inherits Joe Biden’s mess.
There are ample signs that the economy is headed for a recession (or may already be in one) including higher unemployment, lower interest rates (low rates
are not “stimulus;” they are associated with recessions and depressions), flattening yield curves, negative swap spreads, collateral shortages in
Eurodollar markets, reductions in China’s reserve positions (not a sign of “dumping” Treasuries but a sign of a dollar shortage and a need to provide
liquidity to banks), declining oil prices (despite output reductions), and others.
The emerging recession will cause a stock market drawdown as earnings are revised downward, consumer confidence crumbles, consumer discretionary spending
hits a wall and precautionary savings rise. The world will not bail out the U.S. economy because China, Japan, Germany and the UK are all slowing
economically at the same time or already in contraction.
The U.S. economy (in contrast to economists) does not pay that much attention to elections or new administrations. It’s too big and moves to its own
complex tempo. Investors may cheer the Trump policies and his reelection, but it will be a very bumpy ride in the first year of Trump 2.0.
The Ugly
Don’t underestimate “The Resistance.” Because it’s out there and can do a lot of damage in a couple of months before Inauguration Day. What are they up
to? Biden and company are trying to Trump-proof the presidency by signing contracts. Let me explain.
Remember the famous Inflation Reduction Act? Despite its name, the act actually increased inflation by being the Green New Scam in disguise. There was
about $850 billion for garbage like windmills, solar modules, and green initiatives. A lot of the money went to the Democrat’s favorite contractors and
electric vehicle makers. That passed in August of 2022, but guess what?
Most of the money hasn’t been spent yet.
So, now there is a mad scramble to sign contracts. You actually can’t spend the money that fast, but you can sign a contract with a five-year or three-
year life saying you’ll spend it over three years. And the idea is to sign the contract now so that even when Trump becomes president, even though the
money hasn’t been spent, it has been appropriated and it’s contractually bound.
And that’s the key. Bind the spending in contractual form so Trump can’t do anything about it. There’s a lot of wasteful government spending that’s in the
pipeline. The Democrats are also going to try to tie up as much federal land as they can to take it out of circulation to stall oil and natural gas
production as well as mining.
The Resistance will try to get as much money to Ukraine as they can. They will try to appoint as many judges as they can. The Republicans can gum up the
works a little bit, but the Democrats still have the majority in the Senate right now. And the one useful role of Kamala Harris left is being a tie-
breaking vote in the Senate if needed.
The Resistance could cause havoc in the months leading up to Trump taking office and beyond, depending on how much damage they do. It won’t be a pretty
picture for markets with so many companies impacted by their actions on top of a recession.
Bottom Line
After taking office, Trump’s agenda will incentivize billions of dollars of investments in U.S. energy and manufacturing jobs. He will make domestic oil
drilling and refining a top priority which will provide America with energy independence. This will also benefit companies (and provide more jobs) in the
energy sector.
But there will be plenty of minefields for markets to deal with in the first year as the transition takes place.
DOLLAR
CRYPTO NEW YEARS EVE
INTERESTING CHARTS – Courtesy of Larry Williams:
WATCH LUNAR DATES FOR POSSIBLE CHANGE OF DIRECTION POINTS IN THE MARKET
THE DECEMBER WINTER SOLSTICE WAS COINCIDENT WITH A CHANGE OF THE DIRECTION IN THE MARKETS – WAY AHEAD IS THE VERNAL EQUINOX MARCH 20-21
OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS MARK LEIBOVIT’S PROPRIETARY VOLUME REVERSAL INDICATOR – THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE TO DO IT!
Yes, that’s a cartoon of me. Louis Rukeyser had us dressed up in ‘elf’ costumes on the screen broadcast each week. I’ve dated myself. That occurred for me between 1988-1996. Lou didn’t like any bearish comments, so myself and other elves got dumped in 1996.
WHO am I?
MARK LEIBOVIT is Chief Market Strategist for LEIBOVIT VR NEWSLETTERS a/k/a VRTrader.Com. His technical expertise is in overall market timing and stock selection based upon his proprietary VOLUME REVERSAL (TM) methodology and Annual Forecast Model.
Mark’s extensive media television profile includes seven years as a consultant ‘Elf’ on “Louis Rukeyser’s Wall Street Week” television program, and over thirty years as a Market Monitor guest for PBS “The Nightly Business Report”. He also has appeared on Fox Business News, CNBC, BNN (Canada), and Bloomberg, and has been interviewed in Barrons, Business Week, Forbes and The Wall Street Journal and Michael Campbell’s MoneyTalks.
In the January 2, 2020 edition of TIMER DIGEST MAGAZINE, Mark Leibovit was ranked the #1 U.S. Stock Market Timer and was previously ranked #1 Intermediate U.S. Market Timer for the ten year period December, 1997 to 2007.
He was a ‘Market Maker’ on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Midwest Options Exchange and then went on to work in the Research department of two Chicago based brokerage firms. Mr. Leibovit now publishes a series of newsletters at www.LeibovitVRNewsletters.com. He became a member of the Market Technicians Association in 1982.
Mr. Leibovit’s specialty is Volume Analysis and his proprietary Leibovit Volume Reversal Indicator is well known for forecasting accurate signals of trend direction and reversals in the equity, metals and futures markets. He has historical experience recognizing, bull and bear markets and signaling alerts prior to market crashes. His indicator is currently available on the Metastock platform.
His comprehensive study on Volume Analysis, The Trader’s Book of Volume published by McGraw-Hill is a definitive guide to volume trading. It is now also published in Chinese. Mark has appeared in speaking engagements and seminars in the U.S. and Canada.
https://tinyurl.com/369ub85f
https://tinyurl.com/a895fuzh
GATA CHRIS POWELL PRSENTATION – NOV 2024
Grant Williams’ documentary examining gold price manipulation is posted at YouTube
An hour-long documentary program produced in 2018 by financial letter writer Grant Williams for his Real Vision internet site concentrates on gold price
manipulation and was posted Friday in the clear at YouTube.
The program is Part 2 of “Gold: The Story of Man’s 6,000 Year Obsession,” and it’s still compelling for incisive comments from some major figures in the
gold world, including Brent Cook, Dan Oliver, Egon von Greyerz, Jim Rickards, Luke Gromen, Ned Naylor-Leyland, Rick Rule, Ronald-Peter Stoeferle, Ross
Beaty, Ross Norman, Simon Mikhailovich, and Bernhard Schnellmann.
It can be seen at YouTube here:
https://tinyurl.com/k4vnpjmu
https://timesofindia.indiatime
The Walt Disney Company has been criticized (MYSELF INCLUDED) for its “woke” content and has faced backlash from conservative politicians and social media voices. Some of the criticisms include:
-
Donations to LGBTQIA+ organizations
Some shareholders have argued that Disney’s donations to organizations that serve the LGBTQIA+ community are “extreme pursuits” that ignore the beliefs of most Americans.
-
Inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters
Some critics have taken issue with Disney’s inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and elements in stories, such as a same-sex kiss in Lightyear and a nonbinary character in Elemental.
-
Black Ariel in Little Mermaid
Some critics have taken issue with the inclusion of a Black Ariel in the recent Little Mermaid.
-
Economic and reputational consequences
Some claim that Disney’s “woke virtue signaling” has had economic and reputational consequences, with Disney’s market cap falling nearly 40% since February 2021.
In response to these criticisms, Disney CEO Bob Iger has said that:
-
Disney’s biggest priority is entertaining audiences
-
Disney is focused on the future, not the past
-
Disney needs to be more sensitive to the interest of a broad audience
-
Disney’s primary mission is to entertain and then have a positive impact on the world through entertainment
I USE JOEL WALLACH’S SUPPLEMENTS EVERY DAY. MAY AGAIN PROVIDE A LINK TO PURCHASE THEM HERE
COME ON, DAD. IT’S TIME TO EAT
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