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The Rise of the Paper Machines, Gary Christenson

Big Al
April 21, 2015

The Rise of the Paper Machines

Since 2011 the financial markets have been dominated by rises in paper markets and declines in commodity markets.

Group One Paper Examples:  T-Bonds, US Dollar Index, S&P 500 Index

Group Two Commodity Examples:  Crude Oil, Sugar, Wheat, Gold, Silver

Group One markets are “paper” markets in fiat debt, fiat currency, and paper equities.  They are heavily influenced by “money printing,” Quantitative Easing, High-Frequency-Trading, futures, central banks, and political agendas.

Group Two markets are supposedly more real commodity markets, but they are also influenced by futures trading, HFT, and other agendas.

Examine Group One charts – quarterly charts for 30 years showing only the quarterly close lines.

 T-Bonds

US Dollar

S&P

Examine Group Two charts – quarterly charts for 30 years showing only the quarterly close lines.

Crude Oil

Sugar

Wheat

Gold

Silver

Clearly the paper markets in Group One have done well, while Group Two markets have been hurt.

Group One markets have what in common?  They are supported by central banks, governments and politicians who fear deflationary forces.  Deflation is difficult to control, destroys debt instruments (the lifeblood of banking), reduces tax revenue (lifeblood of governments), and makes it more difficult to “buy votes”(lifeblood of politicians).  Deflationary forces are fought with “stimulus,” more spending, more debt, Quantitative Easing, bond monetization, Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP), dodgy government statistics, and propaganda.

In my opinion, the financial and political elite have done a good job force feeding created currencies into the paper markets of Group One, thereby levitating them for the benefit of bankers, politicians, and the financial and political elite.

Similarly, the gold and silver markets are often viewed as an early warning of inflationary forces, excessive “money printing” and political and financial mismanagement.  Hence gold and silver prices must be suppressed, particularly after the scare that gold and silver gave the powers-that-be in 2011 when gold surged to a new all-time high.  Since 2011 the created liquidity has been injected into the paper markets at the expense of commodity markets such as crude oil, sugar, wheat, gold, and silver.

The powers-that-be have done a great job levitating Group One markets and suppressing Group Two markets.  They have considerable resources, massive quantities of fiat currency, considerable influence over the media and government statistics, and the power of the banking cartel and “printing press” behind them.  They possess the motive, means and opportunity, so there should be no surprise at their success levitating Group One markets.

But really, how long can fiat paper markets be levitated?  There are signs of strain everywhere:

  • Swiss sovereign debt out to 10 years “pays” negative interest.
  • German sovereign debt out to 8 years “pays” negative interest.
  • US T-Bonds had a 3+ sigma move, based on monthly closes, from February 28 to March 31.
  • The US dollar index has risen to a 12 year high.
  • The S&P reached an all-time high in March 2015 and is within a percent of that high as of April 10.

These beg the following questions:

  • If sovereign debt is increased every year and is never liquidated because it is continually “rolled over,” how much is that debt truly worth and how long will perpetually increasing debt persist before a violent reset occurs?
  • If currencies (euros, yen, pounds, and dollars) are created by the trillions each year, thereby diluting the existing stock of currency in circulation, how rapidly will purchasing power diminish?
  • Unbacked fiat currencies have eventually been inflated into worthlessness, so when should we expect the demise of euros, yen, pounds, and dollars? Is a “currency crisis” in our future? 
  • If sovereign debt has a negative yield, what rational person would “lend” money to an irresponsible government when the government guarantees the return of only a fraction of the loan in currency units that will be devalued and worth considerably less when/if the loan is repaid?
  • If governments and central banks are intensely working to levitate bonds, fiat currencies, and stock markets, and are working equally intensely to suppress commodity prices, what do they have to hide?
  • Are gold and silver purchases more sensible than investing in overpriced paper debts that guarantee a negative yield in a devaluing currency issued by a dodgy government or central bank?

Gary Christenson

The Deviant Investor

Discussion
12 Comments
    bj
    Apr 21, 2015 21:01 PM

    RE: “But really, how long can fiat paper markets be levitated? ”
    My guess is it will last until Hell freezes over–and long after every honest man, women and child is indentured to the central banks

      Apr 22, 2015 22:50 PM

      Hmmmmm … probably correct! 🙁

    Apr 21, 2015 21:22 PM

    bj –
    Do you own in gold and silver? If so, why? and if so – can I buy it from you? You dont seem to need it…..and I will take off your hands for spot..:)…:)

    Apr 21, 2015 21:38 PM

    Rick A. is on USAWATCHDOG.

    Excellent posturing and salesman.

    I just went long gold. Short term trade.

    Gold bears are funny. Always wishing gold down.

    Gold is world class and symbolic.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twbyVElnAPw

    You can lead a gold bear to riches but you can’t force
    em to capitulate. These gold bears are persistent.

    Its excellent entertainment though as I laugh with
    long gold trades. Hilarious but do wish them the best.

      Apr 22, 2015 22:53 AM

      I think I saw you in the ROLLS trailing the Lamb…….

      Apr 22, 2015 22:54 AM

      I think I am going short the BOOMERS………

        Apr 22, 2015 22:50 PM

        Gold comrades are now extinct and wonder what
        J…The Long …would think about all this gold bear
        propaganda. J…is probably rollin over in his grave
        right now.

    Apr 21, 2015 21:43 PM

    Ha..Ha..already in profit. YEEEE HAAAAA !!!!!!

    Cha..Cha….koo ka ra Cha…Ha..Ha…CHING CHING CHING $$$$$$

    Another round of drinks on me.

      Apr 22, 2015 22:49 PM

      Where’s my beer?

        Apr 22, 2015 22:44 PM

        Ah …sorry Dave. that party ended last night.

        If your around next time its still on me.

        Just make sure your membership is
        current in the Gold Bugs Club.

    Apr 21, 2015 21:56 PM

    Going to be a nice rally..me thinks.
    .
    Gold is poppin $$$$

    Gold Bears ..Haaaa..Haaaa.. just hilarious I’m tellin
    ya and the money entertainment is magnifico. .

    Well anyway, wish these less fortunate stubborn gold
    bears the best.

      Apr 22, 2015 22:58 AM

      My tight sell stop got triggered lost $150 per contract. No big deal.
      Only 2 contracts as it was not a high odds trade. A casino bet.

      More sideways market. No cooperation. Should have sold the piggy
      last night with a small profit. Here..piggy..piggy.

      Acts like a pig, walks like a pig and it was a pig. Sell these pigs ASAP.