Why is that, lately, every time I try to get away for a few days, all hell breaks loose?
So, once again, I apologize for another abbreviated post. The Fergusons are currently in the great state of Iowa visiting MrsF's centenarious grandmother. I'll be back in my office by late tomorrow but, for today, I've got to make due.
So, let's start with this. Despite the tireless efforts of the legal teams and several, hard-working industry insiders, The Morgue finally won the permanent dismissal of the silver manipulation civil suit yesterday. Sadly, this does not come as a surprise since the rationale behind the dismissal changed little from the preliminary dismissal late last year. You can read all about it here: https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/18/us-jpmorgan-silver-lawsuit-idUSBRE92H10520130318. But for a more in-depth analysis, I would refer you back to the excellent legal commentary written for us by CALawyer back in very early January: https://www.tfmetalsreport.com/blog/4408/guest-post-summary-silver-civil-suit-dismissal-calawyer
Moving on, the Cyprus story continues to dominate, as it should. Disregard the misinformation and disinformation. This IS a big deal. That gold and silver have barley budged while the U.S. stock market has rallied back to unchanged should surprise no one. MOPE and manipulation at its finest worst. Remember, at this critical time, gold (and silver) cannot be perceived to be a safe haven and a viable alternative to fiat currency....particularly fiat currency held within the confines of the banking system. With counterparty risk, negative interest rates and now "shared bail-ins", why would any sensible person continue to store wealth in fiat currency? At all cost, gold must be suppressed in order to promote the impression that it is equally unable to preserve wealth. Do not be fooled by this! Global demand remains extraordinarily strong. Fiat-conversion price will, very soon, begin to reflect this physical demand.
Finally, regarding Cyprus, this article from Ben Davies at Hinde Capital is terrific, written not only from a current, but also a historical sense. Please take the time to read through it. https://www.hindecapital.com/blog/cyprus-oh-the-irony/
And we must touch upon the GLD again today. Remember, the conventional thinking among mainstream analysts is that GLD is seeing a drawdown due to investor selling and asset re-allocation. You and I both know that this is complete nonsense and that GLD gold is being redeemed and withdrawn by large investors seeking immediate allocation and physical delivery.
Well, the mainstream narrative took a major hit yesterday. In the face of Cyprus, fiat and ECB distrust and a rising gold price, GLD had redemptions of 13.55 metric tonnes or more than 1% of the alleged "inventory"!! This brings the "total gold in trust" down to under 1220 mts, down from 1350 mts a/o 1/1/13. One hundred thirty metric tonnes, nearly 10% of "inventory", has been withdrawn since the first of the year. https://www.spdrgoldshares.com/
As I go to close, I see that gold is surging to new highs for the week. This is constructive but, again, I caution you...I see no reason to get overly-excited until gold moves through and closes above $1626, which is the low of the post New Year decline back in January and the break down point from the Chinese New Year raids. Above that level and the smarty-pant, momo-chasing spec shorts will begin to get vehwy, vehwy, nuhvuss.
Silver is rallying, too, but still unable to draw away from $29 and, like gold, until it breaks back above $29.40 or so, it's still simply banging around within the range.
Finally, I just checked ZH to see if I've missed anything while typing. Not much. Only all of this. Remember, this is simply a "one-off" and "no big deal".
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-19/cyprus-contagion-spreading-greek-bonds-plunge-most-bailout
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-19/germany-enters-grace-bull-liquidating-cyprus-china-shop
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-19/cyprus-finance-minister-resigns
Have a great day and remember that the FOMC is meeting this week and Fedlines are due tomorrow. Keep your helmet and airsickness bag handy.
TF