News and my thoughts from last week (10 Mar 2025)
History of gold - from Bloomberg
China continues DUMPING US Treasuries: China's holdings fell by $77 billion in 2024 to $759 billion, the lowest in 15 YEARS. China is the world's second-largest foreign holder of US public debt after Japan. Are Treasuries losing safe haven status?! - X user Global Markets Investor
Bloomberg - falling behind on car payments
Car Buyers: The % of borrowers at least 2 months late on their car payments jumps to an all-time high - BarChart
Trump says tariffs on Mexico and Canada could go higher than a 25% rate imposed earlier this week, per Bloomberg.
The top 10% of earners in the U.S. now account for 49.7% of all spending in the US, per WSJ.
China’s exports in the January to February period rose 2.3% in U.S. dollar terms from a year earlier, significantly undershooting expectations of a 5% increase in a Reuters poll. Any concerns about China's manufacturing? - CNBC
Warren Buffett acts like the U.S. stock market is in bubble territory. He might be onto something. Is it "unfortunate" to think that the stock market is in bubble territory? - Fortune
In the past, this has been a SELL SIGNAL for US stocks: Institutional investors’ cash levels DROPPED to 3.5%, the lowest in 15 YEARS. This comes when the market has NEVER been so overvalued. Is the market overdue for a correction?!
TESLA MEGAPACK FACTORY TO BRING 1,500 JOBS COMING TO WALLER COUNTY. Tesla is building a 1-million-square-foot Megapack factory in Empire West Industrial Park, bringing 1,500 jobs to Waller County, Texas. The Waller County Commissioners Court approved a tax abatement program, backing Tesla’s expansion and investment in the region. The facility will focus on Megapack production, Tesla’s advanced energy storage system, strengthening grid reliability and renewable energy integration. With Tesla’s Texas operations growing, Waller County is emerging as a key hub for Elon’s vision of sustainable energy dominance. Waller County Officials: "Tesla’s investment in Waller County marks a major economic boost, bringing high-quality jobs and innovation to the region." Source: Teslarati
The CEO of Target says Trump’s Mexico tariffs could lead his company to raise produce prices in the next few days, per MorePerfectUnion.
CHINA TO ACCELERATE STOCKPILING OF STRATEGIC RESERVES China announced plans to speed up the annual stockpiling of fuel, food, and key commodities, expanding its massive reserve network. The state planner said it would boost storage facilities for grain, petroleum, and minerals while refining strategies for resource exploration and production. China, the world's largest raw material consumer, remains highly secretive about its reserves, with estimates suggesting hundreds of millions of tons in storage. Source: Reuters
RFK JR. PUSHES TO BAN HUNDREDS OF FOOD ADDITIVES RFK Jr. wants to eliminate harmful additives from the U.S. food supply, citing links to chronic health issues. Experts warn that stricter oversight and eliminating the GRAS loophole could drive up food prices, clashing with Trump’s push for cheaper groceries. Michael T. Roberts of UCLA Law: “There’s only one thing that cuts against a full investment in food safety, and that is the cost” Source: LA Times. What will happen to the food industry and the supporting ecosystem?
from X user the Kobeissi Letter
The US goods trade deficit widened 25.6% month-over-month to a record $153.3 billion in January. This was well above the expectations of $116.6 billion. Imports rose 11.9% to a record $325.4 billion, driven by industrial supplies and consumer goods. Exports rose 2.0% to $172.2 billion due to an increase in capital goods. The massive jump in imports likely reflects US firms securing shipments to avoid tariffs. The trade war is here. - by X user The Kobeissi Letter
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