Month: July 2020

Gold, Silver Rally Hard on Softening USD

Silver shares some ‘safe haven’ attributes with gold but is inherently more leveraged to global growth and manufacturing recovery. Both however are about to breakout as gold breaks through the 1900oz market with silver following the same pattern.

Remember as the US economy continues only in a slightly recovery pattern, both gold and silver will further accelerate in value, due also in part because of the weakening US Dollar and uncertainty of a global recovery because of Covid-19. The real question here is will there be a phase 2 or even a Phase 3 of the pandemic which until a proven vaccine is proven, world economies will continue to be held hosted, causing further increases is gold and silver as more safe investments.

Gold, Silver Rally Hard on Softening USD
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 2 min read
By Paul Ebeling on July 23, 2020

 

Branded Rx Drug Prices are a Heavy Tax on the American People

While prices for common generic drugs have dropped by 37% since 2014, branded drug prices have increased by over 60%.

Here’s where the problem lies for that is what physicians are recommending, not generics but prescription drugs, especially the cost of lifesaving medications that millions of Americans, especially seniors, must rely on each day.

To me, it is time to focus on some basic needs of the American people and drug prescription costs is just one of them.

Finally, our President, using his authority under his Executive Orders, has chosen to focus on this field too.

Congress should had done it years ago, they should learn to serve us, not themselves.

Branded Rx Drug Prices are a Heavy Tax on the American People
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 3 min read

By Bruce WD Barren
Editor’s Note: Economist Bruce WD Barren is Chairman of The EMCO/ Hanover Group. He is a regular contributor to Live Trading News.

Closed Stores=Big Bonuses

In 2005, the definition of the ordinary course of business defense should not have been allowed to insulate payments from recovery, only if they are made according to what is considered the ordinary course in the creditor’s industry. Reclassifying or allowing executive bonuses are not justifiable.

Closed Stores=Big Bonuses
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 5 min read
By Paul Ebeling on July 18, 2020

 

US 30-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage Rate Dives to 50-yr Lows

Mortgage rates are forecasted to fall through November, 2021 when they are anticipated to bottom out. The reason is that real estate is a core element to any economic recovery in the United States and is also a feeder to many other industries that must continue in a positive trend in order to put us back on our own feet. It is also important if this country is going to its reverse unemployment trend, which will be one of the most important platforms in any presidential election year. The old adage is still true: as real goes, so goes the economy where consumer confidence typically leads the way to economic well being.

A Key objective of all American workers has always been to own a home which is our way to economic security, especially leading into one’s retirement years. According to Property Wire, the housing market activity is bouncing back to higher levels than before the lockdown based on home sales, demand and house price growth, Zoopla’s House Price Index has found. The number of agreed home sales has rebounded by 4% between early March and May. House price growth has risen to 2.4% in May, up from 1.6% at the start of the year. A positive indicator is that buyer demand in May was 46% higher than in early March, when demand for housing fell by 70%.

US 30-yr Fixed Rate Mortgage Rate Dives to 50-yr Lows
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 3 min read
By Paul Ebeling on July 17, 2020

 

Gold and the Stock Market are Moving North

Yes, gold will continue to rise as forecast by the most astute investment strategists but like any investment it will also have its price fluctuations – peaks and valleys, typically following the transitional path so it must be a watched investment. It will always fluctuate as the world interprets the recovery of various countries’ economic progress from covid-19. In essence, proceed with caution even though gold has historically always been a solid investment, rising consistently over the long-term in value from the old gold-rush days back in the 1800’s.

Remember when gold was $30 an ounce, then $100 and eventually breaking the $1,000 per ounce barrier. All thought it was over-priced and a highly speculative buy.

Well, look at what happened, now $1,800 and with the belief that it will go higher. If one would have had the astuteness and flexibility plus liquidity to invest then as the savvy portfolio managers did for safe-haven insurance, not only were the portfolios protected but the asset rose hansomely.

Well, it is not too late, as we may easily see it in the $2,000-3,000 range and then, the saying will be: Why didn’t I invest then, just like it was at $1,000 not too long ago…

Gold and the Stock Market are Moving North
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 4 min read
By Paul Ebeling on July 10, 2020

 

President Trump at Mt. Rushmore: “Progressive Big Government Socialists do not Represent the Views of The American People”

My hope should be to strive and have for a better way, learned and given by our parents, that have been derived from hard, honest work. Our goal should be to give our children a better way of life for which some of Americans, have had to give our lives.

President Trump at Mt. Rushmore: “Progressive Big Government Socialists do not Represent the Views of The American People”
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 4 min read
By Paul Ebeling on July 8, 2020

 

The Pledge of Allegiance, ‘America Under God’

As a youngster, I was not only taught the words of the Pledge, but the meaning of every word therein, including ‘under God’, which includes all religions and races. To this day, I continue to understand its true meaning. I follow it in my daily ways for I am a believer in America.

Unlike today, then we were taught to respect our Flag, not disrespect it by trashing or burning it, and the values of our Freedoms for we are the most Democratic Society of any nation on Earth, with opportunities for all people – male or female if one has the determination to work for it.

I only hope that we stay that way and the younger generation understands how we fought to insure such liberties, The only words I can say is: “Thank you” to all who gave their lives in defense of our flag.

The Pledge of Allegiance, ‘America Under God’
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 3 min read
By Paul Ebeling on July 7, 2020

 

July 4th Independence Day, How it Came to Be

When I was a youngster, my parents taught me the special meaning of July 4th for where I grew up, it was a very special day – with parades, that special barbeque and fireworks with a feeling of happiness and security plus the joy of good neighbors. They used to say, never let freedom go for our forefathers paid a heavy price for our freedom – a word with just seven letters but with a meaning of considerable depth, not just for one person but for ALL to remember and enjoy.

“Perhaps, today we might look back to our forefathers and say two simple words, Thank You, for I do not know if today each American would had paid such a price as an individual for the ability to be free and live in such a democratic society (whether white, black or of mixed race) where opportunity adorns but which some today would like unfortunately to destroy. Perhaps one should look back on the price that our forefathers had to pay where some even lost everything they had and even died in poverty.

July 4th Independence Day, How it Came to Be.
Bruce Willard Barren on LinkedIn • 5 min read
By Paul Ebeling on July 5, 2020