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Strategies & Market Trends : MDA - Market Direction Analysis -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: pater tenebrarum who wrote (13339)5/9/1999 7:17:00 PM
From: Casaubon  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 99985
 
warning JUST MY OPINION

I'm not a "new era" person, however, I do believe we are in the midst of one fundamental change with regard to economics. Gold is not a value added or interest bearing instrument. It has underperformed ALL other investments in the long run. It is simply being commoditized. And as such, will trade as a function of its cost to produce and its utility demand. Check out what stocks are now hot, in this inflation wary environment: REITS. It is very unlikely people will lose thier jobs, and be unable to pay thier mortgages. This shift to investment in mortgage backed securities, is smart money saying, "OK, the party is over. It's time to take a small expectable cut of everyones labor". Smart money has finally realized that labor is what earns money, not stockpiles of curious metal which curiously has too many protons in its nucleus to have been created by a star as cold as our own Sol.
In my opinion, gold is being retired as a symbol of wealth. I know this will generate some controversy, so, I reiterate this is just my opinion.

PS I have never heard a logical argument defining the reason gold was monetized.



To: pater tenebrarum who wrote (13339)5/10/1999 12:10:00 AM
From: Roebear  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 99985
 
heinz,(and all)
I am not a goldbug per se either, though I frequent the gold traders sites, my main interest is precious metals equities because of their rapid movements, allowing for quick and substantial profits (and also losses, but these do not interest me, VBG). As I here noted before, even in this evident bear market for the gold stocks, being nimble on TA support and resistance levels for these stocks can net a nice return. But also, in frequenting Goldbugdom, I must admit to being gradually convinced that some of their points have merit. One of which you mentioned, the gold market is so small in comparison to other equities, it is easily manipulated.
There is indeed a gold carry trade and substantial gold leasing by central banks, which gives them a return on what the modern markets consider "dead money".
Without getting too conspiratorial, let me note what Les Horowitz noted in his post #13339, that the view that wages are inflationary is coming into doubt and it is now considered that inflation may more likely be the cause of higher wages than vice versa. Also Alan Greespans philosophy of inflation has as one of its tenets, as he himself has noted, that it is the perception of inflation that is a precursor to inflation itself. Mr Greenspan has oft noted that he carefully monitors the price of gold and I must ask for what other reason but the perception of inflation, for which the POG is a well known precursor. Furthermore, what was it that gave the markets some pause in the last few weeks, but fear of inflation.
There are just too many dominoes lined up that I cannot see in real time, but know exist, for me to doubt who hit the first one, when I see the last one landing "kerplunk" on the POG's rise, as in last Friday and the Bank of England announcement.

In that little market unpleasantness of last Sept/Oct, why was it that the POG and gold stocks made such a nice rally while the stockmarket dove, after gold and gold stocks had been driven down into multi decade lows, just the month before. Could it be those that had shorted it there, such as possibly LCTM (other hedge funds?), having gotten into trouble themselves, lost control and had to cover? The horse got free from the bridle and took the reins in its teeth. Till Greenspan slammed the barn door shut with the interest rate cuts in October, saving the equities markets and cutting off the gold rally.

Now was this negative effect on the gold rally because the uncertainty about market stability (from Russia and LCTM) was relieved or because inflation fears were reduced, or both?

I do not know how much manipulation there is in the gold market but obviously I suspect at least some and possibly much. When the needs of the many (stock markets) weigh so mightily against the needs of the few (gold/silver equities), the temptation that such manipulation might be a virtuous act, may indeed be simply too great.

Best Regards,

Roebear