Posts by Adam Baratta

September 27, 2019 |

Another Warning Sign

another warning sign

There has been no shortage of talk about the ongoing global economic slowdown. It seems that there is a constant supply of fresh data suggesting that the slowdown is not only ongoing but could be accelerating. An ongoing slowdown, or even recession, should not come as a huge surprise at this point. The current expansion has gotten quite long in the tooth and began to falter as soon as the Fed tried to normalize monetary policy. In what may be considered another shot across the... Continue Reading

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September 23, 2019 |

No Shortage of Bullish Catalysts

Bullish catalyst

The gold market has shown some significant upside in recent months, and with good reason. There are a variety of issues currently working in gold’s favor, and a strong fundamental and technical backdrop could keep the metal on the offensive. Regardless of whether the Fed cuts rates further or how much, the current state of the global economy and geopolitical landscape could be supportive for the metal and other hard assets. Here are three issues that may make now the ideal time to build a... Continue Reading

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September 17, 2019 |

Just Another Reason

Just Another

The current economic and geopolitical landscape is filled with potential landmines, and the climate just got even more tedious. Over the weekend, an attack on Saudi oil facilities reportedly cut production by some 5.7 million barrels per day, or over half of the Kingdom’s production. This amount accounts for about five percent of total global oil supply and could send crude oil prices soaring. Brent crude jumped by about 20 percent after the news, while WTI also made a significant double-digit leap. Thus far, it... Continue Reading

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September 11, 2019 |

Is a Major Currency Debasement Ahead?

currency debasement

The U.S. Fed and other global central banks are in the process of easing monetary policies again. Although interest rates got nowhere near previous levels during the Fed’s recent tightening cycle, the central bank has decided that it is time to start cutting again. The Fed is not cutting from only 2.5% instead of 5.5%, however. The ECB tomorrow will present its latest plans to boost the region’s economy which will likely include a bazooka of rate cuts and fresh QE. Other central banks are... Continue Reading

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September 9, 2019 |

Fed Still on Track to Cut

on track to

The highly anticipated jobs report for August showed the U.S. added just 130,000 jobs, a significant downside miss from expectations for 150,000 new jobs added. The unemployment rate was steady at 3.7 percent. This figure looks especially weak compared to the ADP employment report released earlier in the week, which showed a gain of 195,000 jobs when market expectations were looking for 140,000 jobs. The jobs data falls into the camp of the policy doves who want to see further rate cuts. The Fed will... Continue Reading

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August 30, 2019 |

Appetite For Risk

sign of strength

The stock market has put together a decent run over the past week as investor appetite for risk has seen an uptick. Some optimistic commentary about the ongoing U.S./China trade war is the primary catalyst for equity gains this week, and investors are hoping that some significant progress may be made at the negotiating table in the weeks ahead. The stock market has a tendency to turn on a dime, however, and any negative developments concerning the trade war could send stocks sharply lower again... Continue Reading

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August 26, 2019 |

The Stage is Set

the stage is set

The gold market remains on the offensive today even as stocks try to recover some of last week’s declines. The stage is set, as the market continues to put distance between current price and the $1500 level and could make a significant run at $1700 or higher in the next few weeks. The buying frenzy in gold is being stoked by several factors that will likely keep the market moving higher. Here are three reasons why gold is likely to continue its recent ascent and... Continue Reading

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August 20, 2019 |

Building a New Base

forget price

The gold market has seen a bit of a pullback from recent 6-year highs. The metal dipped under the $1500 level yesterday before bargain hunters stepped in today to propel the market back above this key level. Recent price action suggests that the market may be in the process of building a new base which could potentially act as a new, major level of price support.  A series of higher lows also lends credibility to the notion that a firm uptrend is in place. Recent... Continue Reading

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August 9, 2019 |

$2000 Gold is on the Way

on the way

The recent breakout above the $1450 level could potentially set the stage for a run higher to previous all-time highs near $2000 per-ounce or far beyond. Although the market may be susceptible to a near-term pullback, such a correction is not only healthy but would be welcomed by eager buyers. The upside breakout in gold is gathering steam just as the stock market looks ready to fall through the floor. Recent volatility spikes in equities could be just the tip of the iceberg, and markets... Continue Reading

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August 2, 2019 |

Rates Will Be Back to Zero in No Time

back to zero

The past trading week has been an interesting one. The highly anticipated FOMC meeting has now come and gone, with the central bank cutting the Fed Funds rate by 25-basis points as expected. The Fed did not, however, seem to provide the type of dovish message that the stock bulls were looking for. Stocks sold-off hard following the Fed’s decision. On Thursday, stocks were set to stage a significant rebound and looked poised to retake all the declines from the previous day. That was until... Continue Reading

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