Will Bitcoin ETF follow in gold’s footsteps?

Will Bitcoin ETF follow in gold’s footsteps?

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Will Bitcoin ETF follow in gold’s footsteps? teaser image

(Kitco News) – The gold market continues to hold its own early in the new year as geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East supports safe-haven demand. However, it’s not gold that is attracting a lot of attention.

We saw history made this week after the Securities Exchange Commission approved 11 spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products. What makes the announcement so interesting is that it was preceded by significant confusion. A day before the SEC announced its decision, its social media account was hijacked and a fake announcement was released.

Interestingly, the new ETFs haven’t provided any new momentum for the digital currency. Bitcoin prices are ending the week pretty much where it started. However, most analysts recommend investors look past the short-term price action and if you want to know where cryptocurrencies are headed, you only have to look at gold.

The first gold ETF was launched back in 2008, and it completely transformed the market, creating new opportunities for a wide range of investors. By 2011, gold prices hit its first record highs above $1,800 an ounce. To this day, ETF investor demand remains an important pillar of the marketplace.

The new Bitcoin ETFs will create new opportunities and attract a wider variety of generalist investors. These new ETFs are backed by the world’s biggest asset management firms, including BlackRock, VanEck, and Grayscale, to name just a few. Bitcoin is no longer a fringe asset.

Some analysts have said this could impact the gold market as the market continues to digest the latest evolution in cryptocurrencies. When it comes to accessible alternative assets, gold has always been at the top of the list; it’s liquid, a store of value and has low correlations to the broader marketplace; however, Bitcoin also meets this criteria and now there is a new dimension that puts it on par with gold: it’s accessible.

In an interview with Kitco News, Joy Yang, Global Head of Index Product Management at MarketVector Indexes, said the approval of a Bitcoin ETF could keep gold prices range-bound near $2,000 an ounce through most of the year as the cryptocurrency becomes an attractive alternative asset.

“A Bitcoin ETF will be the shiny new thing in the market, and a lot of investors like shiny new things,” she said.

We have already seen how solid demand for Bitcoin has impacted the gold market. In 2021, gold prices were affected by roughly 3%, as FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) drove Bitcoin prices to record highs of nearly $69,000 per token.

A lot has changed in the last four years and it's unlikely we will see that big of an impact this time around. While Bitcoin ETFs are shiny and new, we have seen in the last couple of years that when uncertainty is high, investors continue to prefer investments that they can hold that have tangible value. Gold has thousands of years of history as being a store of wealth and value right now.

While investment demand may remain sluggish, central banks continue to buy gold nearly as fast as it can be mined out of the ground. This past week The People’s Bank of China bought nine tonnes of gold in December. The buying frenzy has slowed, but it hasn’t disappeared.

Official sector demand has become another important pillar for the gold market and according to many analysts, this sector should continue to support gold above $2,000 an ounce through 2024.

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Markethive Gearing Up To Launch Its ICO With A Difference

Markethive Gearing Up To Launch Its ICO With A Difference

And It's Not an IEO, Not a STO, Not an IDO

Continuing from our previous article, the allure of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) has diminished in recent years. An ICO is a process in which a cryptocurrency startup endeavors to generate interest in its digital currency project by promoting it on its website. This was a new phenomenon in crypto and financial markets in general, allowing individuals to purchase the newly created crypto token directly from the company behind the project. 

No restrictions or regulations were involved, and speculation rather than substantial foundations drove the majority of ICOs. Much of the hype surrounding ICOs attracted casual investors who hoped to achieve significant financial gains despite these projects often being based solely on concepts.

Numerous ICOs faced issues with regulatory entities as their tokens were classified as securities rather than utility tokens, resulting in multiple cryptocurrency companies being required to pay fines and reimburse investors. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has struggled to establish a legal definition for tokens in cryptocurrency since the emergence of Bitcoin.

While ICOs were initially created to generate funds in a space without regulations, many deceitful ICOs were launched to exploit unsuspecting investors. By the end of 2017, China enforced a ban on ICOs, causing the cryptocurrency industry to search for alternative methods to finance emerging enterprises. This article will explore the various alternatives for ICOs and delve into the plans for Markethive's utility token, Hivecoin, in the coming year.


Source: Binance Square

Initial Exchange Offering (IEO)

Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs) are fundraising events for crypto start-ups to raise funds through a trading platform. They occur on a crypto exchange for the company launching new tokens. One advantage is that investors may have greater trust as they witness a crypto token sale on a reputable crypto exchange, which enhances the project's credibility.

To raise funds on the exchange, start-ups must pay a fee and give a percentage of the tokens they sell. Once the Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) is finished, the tokens are listed on the exchange, which increases the company's visibility to potential investors. Unlike Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), where contributions are sent directly to smart contracts, participants in an IEO send their contributions through the hosting platform.

IEOs have gained traction among major cryptocurrency exchanges. Binance Launchpad was among the initial platforms to introduce IEOs in the market, leading to other exchanges quickly adopting the same approach. The primary benefit of these offerings is the enhanced transparency and trust they provide. Since a reputable cryptocurrency exchange carries out the token sale, the risk of fraudulent activities and scams is considerably lower than ICOs. Reputable platforms conduct thorough assessments of projects before making them available to users.

There is a contention that IEOs do not offer higher security compared to ICOs. In the worst case, they can be seen as centralized authorities that control the types of projects that emerge. Furthermore, projects must pay to be included on a centralized exchange, limiting the opportunity to be featured to moderately established projects, not just concepts. Additionally, they may be required to sign agreements restricting them from listing tokens on competing exchanges.


Source: Tokenminds

Security Token Offering (STO)

STOs, or Security Token Offerings, are a relatively new way of raising funds using blockchain and cryptocurrency. They provide an alternative to typical equity investment and are among the most exciting emerging trends in cryptocurrency. Security tokens serve as virtual representations of ownership in various entities such as companies, financial products, investments, securities, and commodities, granting individuals ownership rights in the underlying value of these assets.

The challenges and constraints of obtaining funding from conventional sources have led to the popularity of alternative methods, such as STOs, for sourcing capital. STOs fully comply with laws and regulations, providing a secure means for companies to secure funding. They serve as a platform for start-ups, established businesses, and traditional institutions to raise funds by issuing digital tokens.

STOs are a category of tokens that represent legal ownership of tangible assets in the real world. They provide the opportunity for individuals or entities to obtain ownership rights in digitally secure assets and symbolize ownership in valuable assets such as real estate or company shares. This contrasts the conventional Initial Public Offering (IPO) process, in which companies become listed on the stock exchange.

Instead, companies have the option to create a new enterprise or utilize an already established one with the assistance of smart contracts. These smart contracts are automated legal agreements between two parties stored on public blockchains. This minimizes the challenges encountered in transactions, including issues like fluctuating prices, fraudulent activities, and regulatory compliance complications.

Security tokens are also utilized in the practice of crypto-fractionalization, which involves securing real-world assets through the process of tokenization. Various real-world assets, including real estate, capital markets, commodities, and equity funds, can be tokenized. STOs are specifically designed to meet the regulations set forth by global regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).


Source: Hackernoon

Initial DEX Offering (IDO)

An Initial DEX Offering (IDO) is a contemporary way of crowdfunding or fundraising that occurs on a decentralized exchange (DEX). Unlike previous methods, such as Initial Coin Offerings and Initial Exchange Offerings, where the sale of tokens was controlled on centralized platforms, IDOs offer a transparent platform on a DEX that enables crypto projects to issue and sell tokens to users directly.

The approach has transformed from ICOs, which were troubled by problems like fraud and inconsistencies, to more controlled formats, such as IEOs and STOs. In 2013, the first initial coin offering was held by Mastercoin Protocol, raising $500,000 worth of bitcoin (BTC). IDOs gained attention in 2019 when Raven Protocol made the announcement of the first IDO on Binance DEX.

IDOs have been improving their approaches since they were first introduced, becoming more popular because they are affordable, have fewer restrictions, and give power to individuals instead of central entities. As a result, they have significantly changed the way crypto fundraising is done. IDOs also provide a simpler and more affordable option for smaller projects to release their tokens instead of using more significant centralized exchanges. To ensure fairness, IDOs often have measures to prevent a single investor from purchasing a large quantity of tokens.

On the other hand, it is easier for projects with a questionable reputation to distribute their tokens via IDOs rather than through IEOs on regulated exchanges because there is less oversight on the projects. Moreover, IDOs bypass regulatory approval, increasing the risk of scams and fraudulent activities. Despite these risks, IDOs illustrate a promising advancement in crypto fundraising, demonstrating how the decentralized nature of the crypto ecosystem continues to evolve.


Source: Markethive

Markethive’s One-of-a-kind ICO for Hivecoin

As discussed in a previous article, many fall victim to ICOs. The hype and speculation of its newly minted crypto token are sold to wannabe investors on the promise of high returns and the revolutionary technology and purpose it claims to serve, even though no tangible evidence of its effectiveness exists. 99% of ICOs don’t do what they say they will do, resulting in the naive investor getting stuck “holding the bag” of worthless tokens. Meanwhile, the individuals responsible for the ICOs swiftly exit after amassing substantial funds, seemingly vanishing without a trace.

Markethive is in preparation to launch an ICO-like event, which differs from other coin offerings because it already has an operational system and delivers what other ICOs only promise to give when they commence their fundraising. It's worth noting that Markethive has never conducted an Initial Coin Offering. 

So far, Markethive’s progress has been made possible by utilizing small amounts of money in the form of a loan from members who have subscribed to the Entrepreneur One Upgrade (E1), earning portions of an ILP in return. Additionally, some members have directly purchased ILPs, which also contributes to the development. This method is significantly different from the traditional ICO approach.

As stated by CEO and founder Thomas Prendergast, 

“It’s time to raise money to market and promote Markethive and bring in the millions, if not billions, that can benefit from what Markethive offers. We will raise money not based on speculation but on fact. We’ve already built the system and have our coin with everything ready to go, making Markethive’s ICO very different from all others that have already done ICOs. That should actually have a significant impact on the industry.” 

Thomas also shared his deep concern about the growing population of individuals who are experiencing poverty and financial burden as a result of being deceived, manipulated, and defrauded by online scams. He stated that this concern serves as a driving force behind the development of Markethive, an extensive undertaking intended to establish a platform that can generate a genuine and sustainable income for its users. While Thomas prefers not to speculate on specific timelines, he maintains that despite the obstacles encountered by Markethive, 2024 appears to be the year when everything will come together.


Source: Markethive

So What’s Markethive Got Already?

Markethive offers various features and assets. It has a fully operational wallet and has introduced its cryptocurrency called Hivecoin. With a total quantity of 45 million, Hivecoin is currently used within the platform to make payments and provide incentives. The Markethive Wallet consists of multiple wallets serving different purposes.

  • It’s an Accounting system.
  • It houses The vault.
  • It’s used for Payments.
  • Incorporating a Bitcoin wallet, Solana wallet, and Hivecoin wallet

With its current operational platform, Markethive offers a range of tools and services currently being improved through iterations and UX enhancements. The fundamentals consist of;

  • A full-blown marketing platform.
  • Social network
  • Inbound Marketing 
  • Storefronts
  • Promocodes
  • Customer acquisition 
  • Lead generation
  • Marketing tools

Markethive’s iterations and UX enhancements will incorporate multiple feeds and be likened to;

  • Twitter, a microblogging feed
  • YouTube, a video feed
  • Google Blogger, a blogging feed
  • Scoop.it, a curation feed.

Markethive has been at the forefront of introducing unique initiatives and projects that remain unparalleled in the industry. It combines an automated marketing system, an inbound marketing platform, and a social network. By merging various types of social networks into one and transforming it into a broadcasting platform, Markethive has established itself as a pioneer. With a rapidly expanding community of over 200,000 members, Markethive continues to flourish. 

The Next Four Big Milestones

1: E1 Exchange. The EX1 permits the purchase and sale of Entrepreneur One subscriptions. E1 is an exclusive framework created to financially support Markethive and provide users access to all the platform's tools. Since the company will no longer offer E1 subscriptions, the only means of obtaining one is through the E1 marketplace, where existing E1 holders may choose to sell, making it a highly valuable and scarce asset.

2: Promocode System. The Markethive admin panel has a promocode system that generates unique codes for E1 members. These codes offer giveaways like Hivecoin, Markethive credits, Boosts, and Wheel of Fortune spins. Each E1 member will receive a specific promocode to promote Markethive on different websites and attract potential users. Any signups, bonuses, or airdrops resulting from these promotions will be credited to the person who acquired the prospect.

Entrepreneur One members will also be provided with a control panel where they can create their own Promocodes. They can select the rewards to offer, which can be purchased through the shopping cart. Additionally, Promocodes can be used for individual groups or storefront signups. For example, if someone joins your group, they will receive a gift. The Promocode is made for Markethive’s social network and has never been done in this industry. 
 

3: Premium Upgrade. The Premium upgrade will replace the E1 upgrade. Those with Premium upgrades will have access to all the features and benefits of the E1 package, except for ILPs or Banner Impressions. The cost for the Premium upgrade will be significantly lower than the E1, which is $100 per month and will be classified as a retail product that generates revenue.

4: Login Registration and Incentive. Upon signing up for Markethive, you will be required to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. You will have 30 days to do this, as indicated by a countdown clock that will periodically remind you. After completing your KYC, you will receive a free 30-day Premium Upgrade. Additionally, you will be eligible for an HVC airdrop, and if you used a Promocode during registration, you will also receive all the incentives associated with that particular Promocode offer.

The KYC procedure has been streamlined and now involves recording a brief one-minute video of yourself to demonstrate your identity and provide your credit/debit card information. A small sum will be deducted as part of the verification process. It is worth mentioning that you do not need to submit any other forms of identification. Please be aware that you will only receive bonuses, airdrops, or promocode offers once you have successfully completed the KYC process.

An added bonus is that once KYC status is fulfilled, it will allow you to withdraw HVC from your Markethive wallet; however, in keeping with our security protocols, you must activate the 2FA authenticator to access your wallet. 

On completion of these milestones and the Markethive ICO websites to be used in the ICO campaign, Markethive will embark on an ICO-like event to fund the marketing of these milestones and increase Hivecoin awareness. The funds raised will also pay for the cost of an ICO-dedicated platform and employ it to launch Markethive’s ICO and to guide Markethive on the ICO journey. 

While it is unnecessary for Markethive to be listed on a cryptocurrency exchange to launch an ICO, it would be advantageous to have one. In addition to Markethive’s plans of establishing their own dedicated offshore crypto exchange, Markethive is vetting various crypto exchanges for listing Hivecoin and introducing Markethive to the global cryptocurrency market.

Exciting Update for Members of Entrepreneur One! 

Every single Entrepreneur One member will receive the signups resulting from the ICO campaign as well as the Promocode site to promote the ICO and with incentives such as Markethive giveaways. 

This is the year when Markethive becomes revenue-oriented and retail-oriented with the new dashboard, state-of-the-art capture page system, and autoresponders. These are retail products and are separate from the free marketing system provided to free members. 
 
Additionally, Markethive will promote its system and launch an ICO-style campaign to drive in the multitudes, with the aim of having hundreds of millions of members in the Markethive system. Markethive is expanding the scope and depth of its vision in what it's building for all humanity. 2024 really looks like the year Markethive will ascend to new unprecedented heights and give back to the community that has upheld the Markethive vision. 

 

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

Online marketing has come to mean many things

Online marketing has come to mean many things

Online marketing

Online marketing Effortless Online Advertising

Online marketing is among the most efficient ways for anyone looking to build their business or get the most out of their marketing budget. Including online marketing in a well-thought-out strategy increases its effectiveness.

INTERNET MARKETING: WHAT IS IT?

“Internet marketing” now encompasses a wide range of practices. Many forms of internet promotion fall under the umbrella term “online marketing,” including banner ads, affiliate programs, search engine optimization (SEO), and search engine marketing. In the past ten years, it has also undergone several changes and evolutions. Online marketing has expanded well beyond 468 X 60 banners since the introduction of Google Adsense and other types of targeted pay-per-click advertising.

Your online marketing budget’s goals should guide your consideration of the several forms of internet advertising currently available. Do you intend to sell anything? Get people to visit your advertising or website? Raise brand recognition for your business?

Keep in mind that none of your online advertising, including placement, creativity, and offer, should differ from what you see on other websites or in your physical store. As a result, customers have an easier time making a purchase after clicking on your online marketing ads.

One kind of internet marketing is affiliate marketing, which involves promoting your goods and services through other websites. Offering content alongside a generous affiliate commission plan is a great way to build an affiliate network. Content and relevant information are sought for by other websites. Their likelihood of participating in your affiliate program increases if you can offer them valuable material while also giving them a chance to make money.

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO)

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an integral part of any internet marketing strategy. When it comes to internet marketing, SEO is frequently overlooked. Nonetheless, it’s a crucial part of any successful internet marketing strategy.

 

If you are promoting an existing product or releasing a new one, make sure that people can easily locate your website and offer page. People using web browsers may take some time to respond to your online adverts.

Customers are more likely to come back to your ad when they have a specific demand. Optimize your pages based on the keywords that prospects might use to find your offer. To further improve your site’s visibility in search engine results, you should connect to your promotional pages from the homepage.

INTERNET MARKETING: WHAT MAKES IT CRUCIAL?

You can usually get immediate feedback and see how well your campaign is doing with online marketing. You can quickly gauge the efficacy of your marketing efforts and test out different offers and creatives thanks to this immediacy. If you can see how your ads are doing in real time, you can adjust your budget or try something new to see if it works better.

The web has finally arrived, with over 68% of houses having internet access and over 2/3 of those homes having a high speed connection. Internet marketing must be a component of your total marketing strategy if you want to reach the vast majority of customers.

Segmenting your customers and offering very focused positioning is another benefit of online marketing. When advertising online, you have more control over which websites display your ads than with more conventional forms of marketing. Additionally, there are a plethora of firms that may assist you in placing adverts on relevant pages or themes.

Renown for its pay-per-click and contextual advertising, With Google, you may tailor the display of your ad to certain terms. Commercials will show up in people’s search results when they use the keywords you mentioned. The affiliate network that Google has built is its strength; it displays Google’s contextual adverts on hundreds of thousands of websites.

Even though Google has been accused of click fraud recently, it continues to offer one of the most focused solutions for internet advertising. Similar services give targeted web marketing through other Yahoo!-owned services, such as Overture.

WHO STANDS TO GAIN?ONLINE MARKETING

Consider including online marketing into your marketing mix if you want to see better marketing outcomes. Advertising, contextual adverts, pay-per-click advertising, affiliate networks, and countless more forms of online marketing make it a sure bet for anyone looking for a quantifiable ROI.

Set a spending limit for yourself and stick to it before launching any kind of internet marketing campaign. Determine your budget beforehand. How many conversions must you make before you turn a profit? How do you think the ratio of clicks to purchases will pan out? If you want to know how much money you can afford to spend on internet marketing, you need to know these basic financial criteria.

THE FIRST STEPS.ONLINE MARKETING

There are a variety of ways to launch an internet marketing campaign, from bidding on a handful of keywords to creating a sophisticated strategy that incorporates numerous buys throughout a network of websites. It is wise to begin with less complex marketing efforts and gradually increase their complexity, as is the case with any new marketing initiative.

 

To kick off your internet marketing campaign, I suggest concentrating on your own website (building promotional banners, buttons, and content), an affiliate program, and pay-per-click advertising. The first two strategies will get your campaign off the ground with minimal outlay of resources. Boost your marketing message’s chances of reaching its target audience with pay-per-click advertising.

ecosystem for entrepreneurs

Tim Moseley

ILP awards for all Entrepreneur Ones 2023 and the future

As we move into 2024

1. We have assigned all qualified Entrepreneur Ones the ONE ILP as we promised to each E1 account.

2. We are kicking up the same offer incentive plus 1000 Hivecoins for 2024.

3. We are now building an army of engineers, this depends on your E1 subscrptions. 

4. As our E1s increase the faster we get into revenue and officially get Markethive launched!

Bring your Hivecoin wallet address to our Sunday meeting and recieve a Hivecoin air drop and watch the power of our new wallet.

See you there
10 AM (Denver time)
January 14, 2024

Thomas Prendergast

Tim Moseley

Gold will be sensitive to USD strength 2000 might not hold – HSBC

Gold will be sensitive to USD strength, $ 2,000 might not hold – HSBC

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Gold will be sensitive to USD strength, $ 2,000 might not hold – HSBC teaser image

(Kitco News) – Weakness in the U.S. dollar helped to propel gold prices to record highs in the final month of 2023. While gold remains above $2,000 an ounce, currency analysts at HSBC are warning investors that this level might not hold in the new year.

Although gold has managed to hold its own in the first two weeks of 2024, HSBC noted that its precious metals team sees the market as overstretched and is expected to decline as higher prices take their toll on physical demand, weighing on jewelry and bullion sales.

At the same time, the bank’s currency analysts expect to see renewed momentum in the U.S. dollar, which will also weigh on prices. The biggest driver for the greenback remains the Federal Reserve’s restrictive monetary policy.

The currency analysts said markets could be too aggressive in pricing in expected rate cuts this year. If the market proves to be too optimistic on easing, it could provide new bullish momentum for the U.S. dollar.

“Market expectations of Fed rate cuts amounting to 138bp are well above what the Fed’s dot plot implies, as well as our economists’ forecast for 75bp worth of cuts,” the analysts said. “Should the scale of these anticipated cuts not fully materialize, then the price of gold may backtrack.”

At the same time, HSBC analysts note that a few rate cuts this year will also support higher real interest rates, creating another headwind for the precious metal.

“Gold is historically sensitive to US real rates, and while there has been a significant disconnect in this relationship, our precious metals analyst thinks that positive real rates could be a headwind for gold this year,” HSBC said in the report.

So far, markets haven’t given up on the idea that the Federal Reserve will start to cut rates in March, even as inflation pressures remain stubbornly elevated. HSBC’s note was published ahead of December’s Consumer Price Index, which showed core consumer prices in the U.S. rising 3.9% in the last 12 months, coming in hotter than expected.

Despite stubborn inflation, markets still see a more than 68% chance of a rate cut at the March meeting.

While gold could be vulnerable to some selling pressure in the next few months, HSBC does see a limit to the downside.

“A number of bedrock factors will sustain the price of gold at what would still be a historically high level,” HSBC said. “For example, geopolitical and trade risks are elevated and may stay high in 2024, as 75 nations hold elections, lending underlying support to gold prices. And central bank demand remains historically strong, triggered by geopolitical risks and portfolio diversification needs, but may not be fully sustained at price levels above $2,000 per ounce.

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Gold silver tread water ahead of key US inflation data

Gold, silver tread water ahead of key U.S. inflation data

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Gold, silver tread water ahead of key U.S. inflation data teaser image

(Kitco News) – Gold and silver prices are not trading too far from unchanged levels on the day in midday dealings Wednesday. Traders are awaiting the U.S. data points of the week: the December consumer price index report on Thursday and the December producer price index report on Friday. The CPI report is seen up 3.3%, year-on-year versus a rise of 3.1% in the November report. February gold was last down $1.80 at $2,031.00 and March silver was last down $0.056 at $23.04.

The Federal Reserve has been pleased with cooling U.S. inflation—to the point of hinting of no more interest rate increases and possibly interest rate cuts in 2024. The Fed would like to see annual U.S. inflation rates of around 2%.

Most of the marketplace expects the CPI and PPI numbers late this week to be tame on inflation. If the numbers are printed as expected look for the stock, financial and commodity markets to view that as friendly, as traders would reckon that would allow the Fed to ease its monetary policy sooner—meaning better demand for goods and services, and better consumer confidence. It’s my bias, too, that this week’s U.S. inflation numbers will not contain markets-moving surprises. There is presently an outlier group of markets watchers that believes deflationary price pressures could come into play later this year.

Importantly, inflation reports in the coming few months may be more worrisome for the marketplace and for central bankers. The heightened Middle East tensions include Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea. The Red Sea is one of the world’s major shipping routes. Some shippers have opted to avoid the Red Sea altogether and instead traverse the much longer route all the way around the African continent. Of course, that means longer supply chain delivery times and higher shipping costs. Reads a Dow Jones Newswires headline today: “Importers face surging shipping costs, delays as Red Sea diversions pile up.”

The shipping delays and higher costs could push up producer price inflation in the coming months, and in turn raise costs to the consumer. You can bet the world’s central bankers are watching this situation closely.

Asian and European stock markets were mixed overnight. U.S. stock index futures are slightly up near midday.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index a bit weaker. Nymex crude oil prices are slightly down and trading around $72.00 a barrel. Meantime, the yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 4.019%.

Technically, February gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a three-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $2,100.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $2,000.00. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $2,046.20 and then at this week’s high of $2,053.30. First support is seen at this week’s low of $2,022.70 and then at $2,015.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5.

March silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A six-week-old downtrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the November low of $22.26. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of $23.565 and then at $23.715. Next support is seen at last week’s low of $22.88 and then at the December low of $22.785. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0.

March N.Y. copper closed down 30 points at 375.55 cents today. Prices closed near the session low today and hit a three-week low. Prices also scored a bearish “outside day” down on the daily bar chart. The copper bears have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. A choppy, 2.5-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart has been negated. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at the December high of 397.40 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at 365.00 cents. First resistance is seen at today’s high of 379.30 cents and then at this week’s high of 384.05 cents. First support is seen at the December low of 372.90 cents and then at 370.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.5.

Try out my “Markets Front Burner” email report. My next one is due out today and is going to be entitled, “When China sneezes…” Front Burner is my best writing and analysis, I think, because I get to look ahead at the marketplace and do some market price forecasting. And it’s free! Sign up to my new, free weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html .

Kitco Media

Jim Wyckoff

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

How Do You Build Your Network?

How Do You Build Your Network?

network

Building a network is a process of connecting with other professionals who share your interests, goals, or expertise. A network can help you learn, grow, and advance in your career. Here are some steps to build your network effectively:

Online Press Release Service, White Label Press Release distribution, Press Release Distribution Service, Press Release.

  • Identify your purpose and goals for networking. Think about why you want to network and what you hope to achieve from it. For example, you may want to network to find a mentor, learn new skills, discover new opportunities, or expand your customer base.
  • Find and join relevant platforms and groups. Look for online and offline platforms and groups where you can meet and interact with people who have similar or complementary backgrounds, interests, or industries.
  • For example, you can use social media, professional networking sites, online forums, blogs, podcasts, webinars, or newsletters to find and follow people who inspire you or can help you with your goals. You can also join local or online groups, such as alumni associations, trade associations, clubs, or communities, that organize events, workshops, or discussions related to your field or niche.
  • Reach out and introduce yourself. Once you find people who you want to connect with, don’t be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself. You can send them a personalized message, email, or invitation, and briefly explain who you are, what you do, and why you want to connect with them.
  • You can also mention something that you have in common, such as a mutual contact, a shared interest, or a recent achievement. Be polite, respectful, and genuine, and avoid being too pushy or salesy.
  • Provide value and build trust. To build a strong and lasting relationship with your network, you need to provide value and build trust. You can do this by offering your help, advice, feedback, or referrals, or by sharing useful information, resources, or opportunities.
  • You can also show your appreciation, recognition, or support, or by giving compliments, testimonials, or endorsements. Be consistent, reliable, and responsive, and avoid making promises that you can’t keep or asking for favors that you can’t return.
  • Maintain and grow your network. To maintain and grow your network, you need to stay in touch and follow up with your contacts regularly. You can do this by sending them updates, greetings, or thank-you notes, or by commenting, liking, or sharing their posts or content. You can also invite them to chat, call, or meet, or to join you for an event, webinar, or workshop. You can also ask them for feedback, suggestions, or referrals, or introduce them to other people who can benefit them or vice versa.

These are some of the steps to build your network. If you want to learn more about this topic, you can check out some of the web search results1 that I found for you. I hope you find them useful and interesting. 😊

1https://www.bing.com/search?q=How+Do+You+Build+Your+Network%3F

 

Link Cloaking Software - LinkTrackr

Tim Moseley

Gold up a bit on still-friendly charts

Gold up a bit on still-friendly charts

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Gold up a bit on still-friendly charts teaser image

(Gold prices are a bit higher and silver a bit weaker in midday U.S. trading Tuesday. Technical-based buying is featured in gold as the charts still firmly favor the bulls. Higher crude oil prices are also bullish for the metals today. However, gains in the metals are being limited by a firmer U.S. dollar index and a slight up-tick in U.S. Treasury yields on this day. February gold was last up $3.50 at $2,036.90. March silver was last down $0.12 at $23.19.

U.S. stock index futures are mixed at midday.

In overnight news, reports said China’s central bank has indicated it may lower its reserve requirement ratio to boost lending and support economic growth, the head of the central bank’s monetary policy department told a local news agency. The PBOC official’s remark does not suggest an imminent cut but may indicate such action is on the table in the coming months, Bloomberg reported. Similar comments were made last July before the central bank reduced the reserve requirement ratio for major banks in September of last year. The metals markets may also be getting some support from this news, which could promote better consumer and commercial demand for metals from China in the coming months.

The U.S. data points of the week will be the December consumer price index report on Thursday and the December producer price index report on Friday. U.S. inflation has cooled in recent months, which has allowed the Federal Reserve to back off on its tighter monetary policy. The CPI report is seen up 3.3%, year-on-year versus a rise of 3.1% in the November report.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index moderately higher. Nymex crude oil prices are solidly higher and trading around $72.75 a barrel. Meantime, the yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 4.011%.

Technically, February gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a three-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $2,100.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $2,000.00. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of $2,053.30 and then at last Friday’s high of $2,071.10. First support is seen at this week’s low of $2,022.70 and then at $2,015.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5.

March silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A five-week-old downtrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the November low of $22.26. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $23.565 and then at $23.715. Next support is seen $23.00 and then at the December low of $22.785. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0.

March N.Y. copper closed down 320 points at 377.80 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session low today and hit a three-week low. Prices also scored a bearish “outside day” down on the daily bar chart. The copper bulls have lost their slight overall near-term technical advantage. A choppy, 2.5-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart has been negated. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at the December high of 397.40 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at 365.00 cents. First resistance is seen at today’s high of 384.05 cents and then at 386.60 cents. First support is seen at today’s low of 377.40 cents and then at 372.90 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.0.

Try out my “Markets Front Burner” email report. My next one is due out today and is going to be entitled, “When China sneezes…” Front Burner is my best writing and analysis, I think, because I get to look ahead at the marketplace and do some market price forecasting. And it’s free! Sign up tomy new, free weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html .

Kitco Media

Jim Wyckoff

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Gold weaker as crude oil price slumps

Gold weaker as crude oil price slumps

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Gold weaker as crude oil price slumps teaser image

(Kitco News) – Gold prices are down in midday U.S. trading Monday but well up from their session lows. The yellow metal hit a three-week low early on today. Amid a lack of major fresh, fundamental news to start the trading week, precious metals traders are focusing on the outside markets, and raw commodity sector leader crude sees its price sharply down. February gold was last down $10.90 at $2,038.70. March silver was last up $0.065 at $23.385.

 

Asian and European stock markets were mixed overnight. U.S. stock index futures are mixed at midday.

In weekend news, U.S. congressional leaders have agreed upon a bipartisan federal budget plan for the next year. The House and Senate now have about two weeks to pass the measure, which may not be easy.
 

The U.S. data points of the week will be the December consumer price index report on Thursday and the December producer price index report on Friday. U.S. inflation has cooled in recent months, which has allowed the Federal Reserve to back off on its tighter monetary policy. The CPI report is seen up 3.3%, year-on-year versus a rise of 3.1% in the November report.
 

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index lower. Nymex crude oil prices are strongly lower and trading around $70.25 a barrel. Reports said Saudi Arabia has lowered the price of its oil to some of its customers, in a signal of a weaker demand outlook. Meantime, the yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 3.974%.

Technically, February gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage but have faded a bit. Prices are still in a three-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $2,100.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $2,000.00. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $2,053.30 and then at last Friday’s high of $2,071.10. First support is seen at today’s low of $2,022.70 and then at $2,015.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5.

March silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A five-week-old downtrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the November low of $22.26. First resistance is seen at Friday’s high of $23.715 and then at $24.00. Next support is seen $23.00 and then at the December low of $22.785. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0.

 

March N.Y. copper closed up 130 points at 381.90 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session high today and hit a three-week low early on. The copper bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage but have faded. Prices are still in a choppy, 2.5-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart, but just barely. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at the July high of 404.45 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at the December low of 372.90 cents. First resistance is seen at Friday’s high of 386.60 cents and then at last week’s high of 391.20 cents. First support is seen at today’s low of 378.95 cents and then at 372.90 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.5.

 

Try out my “Markets Front Burner” email report. My next one is due out today and is going to be entitled, “When China sneezes…” Front Burner is my best writing and analysis, I think, because I get to look ahead at the marketplace and do some market price forecasting. And it’s free! Sign up to my new, free weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html .

Kitco Media

Jim Wyckoff

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Gold stuck around 2050 as markets look for guidance on Fed cuts next week

Gold stuck around $2,050 as markets look for guidance on Fed cuts next week

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Gold stuck around $2,050 as markets look for guidance on Fed cuts next week teaser image

According to many analysts, the gold market is off to a decent start after the first trading week of 2024 even as the price lost some ground as it consolidated at elevated levels between $2,000 and $2,050 an ounce.

February gold futures are ending the week around $2,050 an ounce, down 1% from last week.

According to some analysts, the market remains caught in a tug-of-war as investors try to anticipate the Federal Reserve’s next move. Markets are currently pricing in a 68% chance of the first rate cut at the March monetary policy meeting.

However, some economists have said that after December’s employment numbers, it is unlikely that the U.S. central bank will be ready to cut rates that early in the new year. The latest employment data shows 216,000 jobs were created last month and wages grew by 0.4%.

“The jobs report lends credence to the view that the Fed is likely to continue pushing back against the early rate cuts being priced in by the market until the signal becomes clearer,” said fixed income analysts at TD Securities. “With that said, we do expect inflation to continue softening over the next few reports, which should keep the door open for rate cuts in Q2.”

At the same time, Philip Streible, chief market strategist at Blue Line Futures, said that rate cut expectations remain elevated because some analysts believe the latest jobs report shows cracks in the labor market are starting to appear. He noted that a high number of government jobs in the December report appear to be skewing the data.

Streible added that with a March rate cut on the table, gold should be well supported above $2,000 an ounce; however, he added that he doesn’t know if there is enough momentum to push prices solidly above $2,050 an ounce.

“Right now is a coin flip and that will keep gold in this consolidation range,” he said.

James Stanley, senior market strategist at Forex.com, said that the price action this week indicates that gold is capped at $2,050 in the near-term; however, he added that the gold bears will find a difficult path on the downside as the Federal Reserve is still expected to lower interest rates this year.

“Think this resistance will hold long enough to give a dip… but that may take a month or two,” Stanley said. “When the Fed does formally pivot this thing can take off. But real rates will need to get higher first before they can declare a ‘W’ on inflation, and with an election year I think they'd want to have that pivot a little closer to November. Ideally [gold] should push below 2k and wash out some longs first. Then, more money on the sidelines could further propel higher.”

Although markets are back to a full five-day week next week, investors are expected to continue to digest December’s employment numbers. The main highlight comes late next week with December’s Consumer Price Index report. According to some economists, inflation data could solidify the Federal Reserve’s move in March.

Some economists have pointed out that although consumer prices have dropped from their 2022 highs, the Federal Reserve still has work to do to bring inflation down to its target of 2%.

The expectations are that headline inflation will remain around 3%; however, core inflation is expected to remain around 4%, double the central bank’s target.
 

Economic data for next week:

Thursday: US CPI, weekly jobless claims

Friday: U.S. PPI
 

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

The Artist that came out of the Winter