Isn't there always a huge short position in these? As inflation and interest rates rise, I think it grows by nature to take advantage of the fact that gold and silver don't pay interest and that the miners don't stop mining even if demand and/or prices drop. Of course, the prices drop until they rise rapidly to adjust to inflationary issues. The US debt is cause for long term concern as always.

I saw some indiscriminate selling, especially in higher growth stocks which should not be as affected by higher rates than low growth stocks. In general, I agree with the author that the market today seemed a bit off today if the market was really supposed to be reacting purely to higher rates. Higher rates should slam indebted companies and companies that are not growing significantly faster than inflation and higher rates.

It is especially dangerous because his other actions also cause inflation. That is running a massive deficit, taking actions on Iran, and insulting Saudi Arabia. Still, in the short run, some inflation is ok as long as it stays in check.

It is strange the market is punishing the high PE growth stocks more than the companies with huge debt loads. Anyways, it's nice opportunity to buy good companies with no debt and strong growth. Get those Easter eggs in fall. By spring they won't be there any longer.

The new trade agreement may not go through anyways leaving #NAFTA in place. This Congress will not get around to passing it before the election and everyone agrees that Democrats will end up taking seats in Congress making it hard if not impossible to get it through.

The author is right that little was accomplished for the bloodshed in relations, however, it is the President's choice if he wants to do things the hard and nasty way. I think he already knows not to expect any favors from most anyone overseas. The main issue is not NAFTA but China. Both countries have more and more to lose if this falls through. The issue is China is shifting deals to Europe but Trump has alienated the EU as much as they have alienated China leaving them in a worse position if things should continue to deteriorate.

The Fed can't slow down its snail sized increases at the US is fighting a trade war, causing tight oil prices with Iran, and running massive deficits with a tax cut with little in the way of spending cuts. I'd say, is positive that the Federal Reserve stays on course and doesn't accelerate the rate hikes. The main problem is that inflationary pressures are being driven by increases in oil overseas and by tariffs which are out of the control of the Federal Reserve.

So much for a lull after driving season. At rates this is going next year we will see a big boost in prices as driving season pushes up demand further. Right now it's not US demand that is driving oil up. Global demand increases are insatiable and China can't get enough LNG.

One thing that is doing well in the #tradewar so far is #oil. And with Iran in the crosshairs of the US the price of oil will most likely keep rising. It is disingenuous to expect Saudi Arabia to bring oil prices down. The US massive deficit has insured oil will go up in dollar terms and the US itself has been the country upping production to keep oil prices in check for quite some time. The point is, one can't snap their finger and increase supply. The Mid-East has been draining their reserves to keep oil flowing at the current levels. They can't do much else in the short term and maybe not the long term either.

If you want to beat the market you should not be in any funds. Not only must you beat the market with them, but you also have to beat the fees attached to them. The most likely time they will beat the market is bear funds that make you lose more often than win but will do good in a downturn when it happens every decade or so.

The current #unemployment number is much weaker and reliable than total percentage of people employed and is certainly less of a reliable indicator to inflation or economic problems than default rates and other metrics as the author points out. Watch the facts not what is convenient to get a real gauge on inflation and market risk. Oil and trade wars are the most likely to cause inflation and default rates and unhealthy debt are currently the most likely to cause a market crash.