Gold & Silver

A remarkable but little noticed development has occurred behind the scenes of the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) over the last 3 years. This development concerns the very high level of executive staff turnover at World Gold Trust Services, the New York based ‘Sponsor’ of the mammoth gold GLD gold-backed Exchange Traded Fund that is listed on the NYSE.

The low of $1,310.70 in gold last week appears to have marked the cycle bottom. With the Fed meeting behind us, gold prices are primed to rise through August - and likely into September - where they will form the next intermediate cycle top.

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, which oversees more than $230 billion in assets, has “shifted to a ‘maximum overweight’ in gold for its portfolios due to its overall feeling of uncertainty brought about by a sluggish global economy, the Brexit vote, central banking policies, and the upcoming US presidential election.

The Economist Intelligence Unit has produced its first global forecast since the Brexit vote. Please find below their forecasts for commodities until 2020.

As we documented in our extensive Gold Series, gold has been used as a monetary metal for thousands of years... It’s the most malleable and ductile metal, and it doesn’t tarnish or corrode. Over time, these properties have helped people to associate gold with concepts such as immortality or royalty. Even today, people are still finding new uses for gold that are impressive in their own right. For example, scientists recently discovered a gold alloy that is four times tougher than titanium. The following infographic puts the rich history of gold into perspective.

This is not a sound for alarm, for the trend for gold & silver remains up, BUT there could be some more corrective activity in the next few weeks. Here's what the charts have to say about the current situation.

I believe that the market is no longer fearful and that gold has had its moment. After a multi-year rout gold began to pick up pace in 2016 when uncertainty seemed to be omnipresent but my view has stayed consistently positive as I have not identified any material weakness in the economy. Let me explain why that is the case.

Investing in particular gold stocks gives exposure to movements in price of gold, but also to other factors affecting the gold mining industry, as well as company-specific strengths and weaknesses. This is why investors have to bear in mind the trends in the gold market as well as the mining industry, and wisely select appropriate stocks. One way to avoid the problem of selecting the promising shares is to invest in an index of gold mining companies such as the HUI, XAU and/or GDX. That being said there are considerable differences and pros and cons which this article outlines.

It's crunch time for global platinum. With events kicking off this week that could radically change the outlook for supply -- and prices -- over the coming weeks and months.

When we witness a break of the $1,400 resistance, we expect to see a continuation of the gold bull market with a long-term target of $2,700. Here's why.