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Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST) has reported strong financial results for Q4 2024, driven by double-digit growth in gold bullion and jewelry sales. Gold bullion has become a key contributor to Costco's e-commerce growth, with sales helping to boost comparable e-commerce sales by 18.9%. The company also reported a 9% year-over-year increase in net income, alongside a 40-basis-point improvement in gross margins. Additionally, Costco raised its membership fees in September 2024 and continued its global expansion with 14 new store openings, further strengthening its market position.

Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) recent $60 billion stock buyback and dividend increase come as part of a broader trend among tech giants like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), and Meta (NASDAQ: META), all using repurchases to enhance shareholder value. Buybacks can increase earnings per share and provide tax-efficient returns, but only if executed well. However, if poorly timed or mismanaged, they can hurt long-term growth. With the recent 1% excise tax on buybacks under the Inflation Reduction Act, companies face new costs, prompting investors to evaluate these programs carefully.

If you are holding U.S. dollars in a savings account, CD or money-market fund, you are slowly losing what you have saved or inherited and within a few short years you could lose the bulk of what is remaining. It is being done in such a way that most people don't notice. The hidden tax of inflation has been robbing you for quite some time and the pace and severity of this theft is increasing rapidly. If I sound alarmist, it is with intention.

The Federal Reserve's recent 50-basis point rate cut has bolstered optimism for a "soft landing," pushing the Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ to new highs. While the move has alleviated uncertainty, investors remain wary of potential economic risks, including a slowing labor market and lingering inflation concerns. Despite the positive market reaction, some experts warn that market volatility could resurface if inflation picks up or the labor market weakens further. With the Fed expected to announce more rate cuts later this year, all eyes are on the November meeting for clues on future economic policy.

Eric Sprott, co-founder of Sprott Money, shared his insights into the gold and silver markets, predicting that gold could reach $3,000 per ounce and silver $50 by year-end. While gold has recently hit record highs, silver has lagged behind despite a 20% supply shortage. Sprott remains optimistic about undervalued gold and silver stocks like Discovery Silver and Free Gold Ventures. He also highlights silver's rising demand, driven by sectors like electric vehicles and new technologies. Sprott emphasizes the importance of staying informed, as global market shifts and government actions will significantly impact the precious metals landscape.

The debate in Washington over when and how to increase the debt limit is less than 100% accurate. Here are some myths about the debt ceiling and the debate about raising it.

America was once the world’s model democracy. Now it’s a global laughingstock with a government that can’t keep the lights on and is threatening to renege on its debts. How did this happen?

Going over the debt ceiling would mean the US government legally can’t pay its bills and would default on the national debt. This would be catastrophic in ways that would make Lehman Bros look like a walk in the park.

A soaring gold price is a vote of "no confidence" in the central bank and the dollar [and]... reflect a growing restlessness with the increasing money supply, our budgetary and trade deficits, our unfunded liabilities, and the inability of Congress and the administration to reign in runaway spending. Words: 1911

U.S. banking stocks are underperforming, with a 6% drop in September 2024, compared to the S&P 500 remaining flat. Bank executives have issued warnings about lower-than-expected recoveries from investment banking and the effects of looming interest rate cuts. With U.S. banks trading at lower P/E ratios (11.7x for 2024 and 10.4x for 2025), analysts view the sector as potentially undervalued. Meanwhile, capital requirements have been scaled back, but pessimism has intensified after Berkshire Hathaway reduced its investment in Bank of America. This may offer an entry point into the sector for value investors.