Blogs

Harley Bassman, Brian Pellegrini and Yra Harris on the Economy and the Financial Markets

Mr. Bassman is a Managing Partner at Simplify Asset Management, a designer and manager of ETFs that offer better portfolio solutions for... more

After soaring to an all-time peak in August 2020 in US dollar terms, gold has traded on either side of $1800 per ounce throughout 2021. The yellow precious metal reached a record level in nearly all currencies in 2019 and 2020. Gold was the first... more

First of all, my offer of any part of a $10,000 bet with 10-1 odds against Jerome Powell being renominated as FED CHAIR is OFFICIALLY RESCINDED. The Fed Chair’s speech was so pathetic that it can only be explained by his desire to be renamed... more

In a stunning reversal, petroleum prices recovered all of last week's price plunge plus an additional 2 to 3%. Diminishing COVID-19 concerns and clear signs of recovering demand from the US, China and India, further aided by a weakening dollar,... more

There is a wonderful song from the tumultuous 1960s by the band Buffalo Springfield that is so apropos for the financial markets over the last two weeks (staying away from Kabul). The lyrics for the first two verses describe the situation for... more

I love creating sayings that drive home truths in technical analysis. One of my favorites has always been:

“First test good,

second okay,

third go the other way.”

So, what does it means? It means that the first test... more

Petroleum prices plunged more than 8% this week, their largest weekly loss in more than nine months. Prices have fallen for seven consecutive days and are at their lowest level since May 20th. The last time WTI fell for seven consecutive trading... more

On Sunday, we acknowledge the 50-year anniversary of Richard Nixon’s decision to close the GOLD EXCHANGE WINDOW and put an end to the post-World War monetary system known as Bretton Woods. I can say exactly where I was: A bus station in Afula,... more

Petroleum prices ended the week mixed as the monthly IEA report warned of slowing demand growth linked to the ongoing resurgence of COVID-19 delta variant cases which reached six-month highs in the US. OPEC in its monthly report left its demand... more