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Eric Sprott On The Real Banking Crisis: Global Depositor Bank Runs And Why Gold Is Going Much Higher As A Result

Tyler Durden's picture




 

By Eric Sprott & David Baker

The Real Banking Crisis

Although the adjacent questionnaire is facetious, it does ask the right questions. If you’re a wealthy European depositor today, what do you do with your money? Do you really continue to keep cash in a Greek or Italian bank account?

European bank depositors all face a tough decision today – to withdraw their deposits, or not withdraw and take their chances. Their response to that decision may determine the financial future of the Eurozone. Since 2008, EU Government bailouts have transformed a traditional banking crisis into a full-blown sovereign crisis. The European Central Bank (ECB) has managed to keep the Eurozone banking system going for now, but the constant threat of depositor bank runs makes its future extremely uncertain. A bank run on deposits forces banks to liquidate assets to raise cash. Governments and central banks will go to extreme lengths to avert such a scenario, because a liquidation reveals what an asset is really worth – and they are likely worth far less than what the banks are claiming they’re worth on their balance sheets today.

Bank runs have wreaked havoc in Europe over the past three years. In Iceland, it was a UK-led bank run on its second largest bank, Landsbanki, in early October 2008 that led Landsbanki to block over 300,000 UK depositors from accessing their accounts in its online bank called Icesave. Fear of widespread deposit losses compelled the British government to promptly freeze the assets of Landsbanki in retaliation, inciting an effective lock-down of foreign capital in and out of the country.1 You certainly didn’t want to have an Icelandic chequing account when that happened – especially considering that the Icelandic Krona proceeded to lose 58% of its value by the end of November 2008.2

In Ireland, it was the withdrawal of almost €4 billion in deposits in less than three weeks that compelled the Irish government to nationalize Anglo Irish Bank in January 2009.3 Large depositors lost faith in the Irish government’s bank account guarantee and began to pull their cash out of Irish banks in droves. As a Trinity College Dublin professor was quoted at the time, "This is a nightmare scenario for the [Irish] government… they can’t stop further withdrawals from the bank unless we close the borders and turn into Cuba."4

Ireland experienced a second bank run in late 2010, when more than €67 billion was withdrawn from Ireland-based institutions in October alone.5 Ireland’s top six domestic banks, two of which are currently in the process of being shut down, have now lost more than €90 billion in corporate deposits since the crisis began in 2008.6 And the withdrawals continue – in May 2011 it was reported that Irish resident private-sector deposits had declined by 8.7% over the past 12 months.7 Private sector deposits from non-Irish Eurozone residents declined by 9.7% over the same period, while deposits from non-Eurozone residents were reportedly down 28.2%.8 Ireland’s experience makes it fairly clear: when depositors sense danger, and they are free to move their money elsewhere – they typically do.

The Irish deposit withdrawals have left Ireland’s banks in the hands of the ECB, which graciously bailed the country out back in November 2010, and has now lent Irish banks more than €103 billion as of the end of June 2011.9 This, in addition to the €55.7 billion the Irish banks have received from their own central bank, is amazingly still not enough to recapitalize the Irish banking system, which at the time of writing still requires an additional €24 billion of capital to remain solvent.10

In Greece, bank withdrawals have proven equally as damaging. Greek banks have seen deposit outflows of around 8% thus far in 2011, with an acceleration of outflows in May and June. Moody’s recently warned that such flows could cause a "severe cash shortage if they rapidly increased beyond 35% of deposits".11 Last week’s €109 billion bail-out suggests that may have already happened.

Just as with Ireland, the ECB has kept the Greek banks afloat, funding them almost €100 billion in 2010 and an additional €103 billion thus far in 2011.12,13 The recent bail-out will buy Greece time, but deposit outflows could still derail the ECB’s efforts to save the Greek banking system if they continue unchecked.

Although we don’t have the data for Spain or Italy, it does not escape us that those countries’ governments are likely highly aware of the effect a bank run could potentially have on their fiscal stability. Italy is a much bigger fish than Ireland or Greece. Its €1.8 trillion of borrowing in nominal terms is more than the debt of Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland, combined.14 Italy and Spain are too big to fail and too big to bail-out, so the future of the Eurozone will be seriously compromised if Italian and Spanish depositors take flight with their euros. To that effect, we found it very instructive to read about new provisions that the Eurozone’s rescue fund, the EFSF, recently incorporated into the latest Greek bail-out. Included among them is the ability for the EFSF to buy sovereign bonds in the secondary market, give EU states "precautionary credit lines" before they are shut out of credit market, and "lend governments money to recapitalize their banks".15 The sovereign crisis, at its root, is still a banking crisis. The banks hold loads of Eurozone sovereign debt. If depositors withdraw capital, those banks must sell some of those sovereign bonds to stay solvent. The EFSF provisions are there to provide the banks with the liquidity they need to survive deposit withdrawals. The question now is what will happen if the EFSF runs out of the funds to do so.

In our view, the depositors that chose to transfer their money out of their local Eurozone banks deserve some recognition, because they ‘get it’. The EU banks are still the root of this problem, and depositors are right to question the security of their deposits held with them. We have always postulated that the real problem in our financial system is too much leverage in the banking system. We are continually reminded of this fact every Friday when US bank failures are released. When you compare the failed banks’ assets to the cost the FDIC pays to make their depositors whole, it reveals how many times the banks have lost their equity capital. The key to remember here is that banks lend out our money and keep very little in reserve. If we assume they keep 5 cents of capital for every 95 cents they loan out – a 25% ‘implied write-down’ in Chart A would mean that the bank has effectively lost its capital six times over.

The banking situation in Europe is no different from that above – EU banks are also highly levered, but their situation is further complicated by the fact that what was once the most liquid and secure loan on European banks’ balance sheets – sovereign debt – is no longer liquid and secure. This makes EU banks extremely vulnerable to deposit withdrawals as it forces them to approach the ECB for help to maintain liquidity. There is only so much the ECB can do – if a true ‘liquidity event’ takes place, we can all rest assured that there will be no buyers of distressed assets in the sizes that European banks hold today, sovereign bonds, or not.

We discuss the EU banking crisis this month to remind everyone that we have very recently lived through two instances where the entire financial system almost collapsed. The first took place during the height of the 2008 crash. The second transpired in May 2010 when the ECB stepped in with its $1 trillion bailout package to avert disaster. All financial bailouts up to this point have been instigated with a desire to avert the first domino from falling. They have been instituted to avert contagion – a total financial meltdown that would effectively turn the global banking system into an Icelandic money trap – where no money can get in, or out.

We still don’t know if a financial collapse can be averted in Europe because investors and depositors are not all naïve to reality. The financial malfunction is ongoing and will not be prevented through these continual perverse financial machinations. If Eurozone depositors move their capital – more bailouts will be required, thereby increasing the sovereign debt levels and exacerbating the seemingly hopeless situation that much more.

As the questionnaire above suggests, we believe a growing number of European depositors are transferring their money out of EU banks, and many of them are reinvesting their capital into gold and silver for safety. It does not surprise us to see gold hitting all-time highs in euros and dollars. It’s worthwhile to acknowledge that those investors in Iceland and Ireland who had the foresight to convert their cash to gold before their countries’ respective bank runs have all fared extremely well in both nominal and real terms. We believe that gold and silver are the ultimate alternative for a chequing account in a vulnerable banking jurisdiction, and whether the ECB prints more euros or eventually defaults, both outcomes will continue to support a robust demand for precious metals as an alternative currency.

 


1 Lyall, Sarah (November 1, 2008) "Iceland, Mired in Debt, Blames Britain for Woes". New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from:  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/world/europe/02iceland.html?pagewanted=all

2 Onaran, Yalman (February 1, 2011) "Iceland Shows Ireland Did ‘Wrong Things’ Saving Banks". Bloomberg. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-01/iceland-proves-ireland-did-wrong-things-saving-banks-instead-of-taxpayer.html

3 Lyons, Tom and O’Brien, Stephen (January 18, 2009) "€4bn ‘run’ triggered Anglo move". The Times. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article5537566.ece

4 Ibid.

5 O’Brien, Dan (June 1, 2011) "€12bn decline in bank deposits in April is smallest since September". The Irish Times. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0601/1224298206493.html

6 Humphries, Conor (July 8, 2011) "Irish banks’ ECB borrowing inches up in June". Reuters. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/uk-ireland-centralbank-borrowings-idUKTRE76728R20110708

7 Finfacts Team (June 30, 2011) "Irish household bank deposits fell by €709m in May; Domestic banks’ central bank borrowing was €74bn". Finfacts.ie. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1022646.shtml

8 Ibid.

9 Humphries, Conor (July 8, 2011) "Irish banks’ ECB borrowing inches up in June". Reuters. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/uk-ireland-centralbank-borrowings-idUKTRE76728R20110708

10 Ibid.

11 Brereton-Fukui, Natasha (June 27, 2011) "Moody’s warns on deposit outflows for Greek banks". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/moodys-warns-on-deposit-outflows-for-greek-banks-2011-06-27

12 Georgiopoulos, George (June 23, 2011) "ECB funding to Greek banks rises 12.3 pct m/m in May". Reuters. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/greece-ecb-idUSATH00620520110623

13 Koutantou, Angeliki and Melander, Ingrid (July 25, 2011) "ECB funding to Greek banks rises 5.6 pct m/m in June". Reuters. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/25/greece-banks-ecb-idUSATH00628220110725

14 Davis, Andrew (July 12, 2011) "Plunge Brings Europe Debt Crisis to Italy". Bloomberg. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-11/italian-plunge-brings-debt-crisis-to-europe-s-biggest-borrower.html

15 Baker, Luke and Toyer, Julien (July 21, 2011) "Europe agrees sweeping new action on debt crisis". Reuters. Retrieved July 28, 2011 from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/21/us-eurozone-idUSTRE76I5X620110721
 

 

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Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:47 | 1516674 Caviar Emptor
Caviar Emptor's picture

Gold, bitchez! 

Yesterday Bloomberg reported that gold coins have become unavailable in Lisbon as supplies were sold out

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:55 | 1516692 Pladizow
Pladizow's picture

Begining of reversion to the mean, i.e., GOLD!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:20 | 1516708 BaBaBouy
BaBaBouy's picture

 

Bouy Says GoldToTheMoon ...

 

Defacto GOLD STANDARD is on... (CB's are Buyers) ...

 

$10k will still be cheap.

New F150 = 2ozs.

Decent house = 10 ozs.

Peace Of Mind = Priceless

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:48 | 1516678 unky
unky's picture

Better tell us when the price will drop again in the short term, thats what I am interested in. Since nothing goes up in a straight line, when will the time come to buy? Will gold hit $1650 first and then drop a while?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:03 | 1516936 Sgt.Sausage
Sgt.Sausage's picture

If you wait for a drop, you are doomed. Why wait? $40 dollar drop here, $100 drop there? It will not matter ten years down the road. All that will matter is how many ounces you possess.

I had a conversation with my Pops back in 2008 - "What ?!?? Are you friggin' crazy !!" he said, "It's $900 an ounce - that's near a thousand bucks!".

He's still waiting for it to drop.

Will be waiting a looooooooonnnnggggggg time.

 

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:32 | 1517043 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

I have BTFS for decades.  Every time I bought gold, it seemed "expensive".  Most of the time I have bought gold, the price immediately goes down..., for a few days.

Don't try to time the market.  BTFD my butt.  Just buy!  Gold is cheap at $1640.

Buy gold when you have the money to do so!  Note Caviar's note at the very top, NO GOLD is lisbon!  Get while the getting's good.

Don't get left behind!

It's all about the ounces you have in the end.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 20:09 | 1519038 SamuelMaverick
SamuelMaverick's picture

I repeat, GOLD IS CHEAP at $1640.    Yours, Maverick

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:50 | 1516681 notadouche
notadouche's picture

Waiting for Buffett's latest rant against gold.  Also next up should be CNBC pundits start opining on things they no nothing about.  The Barbarous Metal. 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:51 | 1516687 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

I wonder when people will finally stop listening that that old geezer insider trader?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:23 | 1516784 jrpuffnstuff
jrpuffnstuff's picture

Second that!  Just hearing his name puts me in a rage.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:50 | 1516682 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

If the BIG money is taking their money out of banks, looking around at everything out there and concluding 'Its time to park it in gold and silver', then we know things are about to get REAL bad.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:57 | 1516703 scatterbrains
scatterbrains's picture

They seem to be busy taking their money out of the Dax at the moment.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:07 | 1516735 Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs's picture

Should we all yell FIRE!?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:33 | 1517052 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

GOLD!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:51 | 1516684 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Gold seems to be the ultimate fiat lie detector.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:53 | 1516688 baby_BLYTHE
baby_BLYTHE's picture

Just 9 more ticks upward until Robotraitor's call of Gold 1650 & DOW 13500 is blow to pieces.

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:58 | 1516702 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Robo has a bad case of Schizophrenia. Leo is in even worse shape. I've been patient with the boys, but they make me look almost normal. And I'm seriously mentally ill. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:03 | 1516725 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

I think Robo just likes to stir the pot.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:21 | 1516779 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

And Leo?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:29 | 1516796 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Leo is just part of the system. He is still trapped in the Matrix. I like to think of him as Cypher.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:44 | 1516864 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

You could very well be correct my good Doctor.

Leo

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:52 | 1516895 Careless Whisper
Careless Whisper's picture

And I'm seriously mentally ill. :)

A little off on your diagnosis. You took the red pill. Did you forget? Now you are living in reality. It's not easy. If you didn't take that damn red pill you would be so happy after returning from the mall with your new $300 True Religion jeans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfZRUci-Rec

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:31 | 1516822 bobm2626
bobm2626's picture

Meanwhile gentleman "Jim" sends his regards to Robo and uncle guerrilla and his paper.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:36 | 1517060 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

With you there in the asylum CogDis...

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 19:35 | 1518929 Anonymouse
Anonymouse's picture

A little OT, but can someone comment?

Is RobotTrader the same person as the old RoboTrader (note the one letter difference)?

Both seem to be contributors, but as I recall the old RoboTrader's posts smacked of irony at the absurdity of the market in 2009 and 2010.

But the "new and improved" RobotTrader (with 2 t's) seems a shill.

RobotTrader's posts:RoboTrader's posts::LeoKolivakis's skanky pictures:RoboTrader's very nice pictures

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:55 | 1516695 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

Ah Ah Ah choooo-suspect-oooo!

Bless me.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 21:20 | 1519222 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

You're typing a lot, but you're not saying anything.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:55 | 1516696 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

will not be long, before its not safe to wear gold chains and jewelry

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:01 | 1516714 Long-John-Silver
Long-John-Silver's picture

It's been that way for years. You must live a very sheltered life.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:38 | 1517076 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

My friend the cop says that hardly anyone, not even the bangers, is wearing old on the streets mow.

Remember what our pal FOFOA sez:

"As the price of gold goes up, it becomes harder to get."

Maybe not EXACTLY his quotation, but pretty close.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:40 | 1517435 RafterManFMJ
RafterManFMJ's picture

I pity da fools dat do!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:57 | 1516698 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

In the immortal words of Goldmember " I love gooolllldddd"

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:14 | 1516760 redpill
redpill's picture

iznt dat veird?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:57 | 1516699 Jack Burton
Jack Burton's picture

Inslovent European banks sitting on sovereign debt timebombs. Who would want their money on deposit with those outfits?  When Europe implodes there will be too many banks to bailout, even insured deposits could vanish, or be repaid with printed trillions of increasingly worthless paper money.

Gold? Silver? Why not?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:57 | 1516704 Josh Randall
Josh Randall's picture

Silver needs to keep battling The Morgue's stock price at $40, from there the Gold ratio still needs to get to 15:1 or 10:1 === currently at 40:1. Still more fight left but the die has been cast for victory in the long run

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:25 | 1516738 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

There's a big difference with gold and silver trades.

Less and less people are trading the paper silver because there simply isn't enough silver to back it up which means the comex will one day default. It could be in 1 month, it could be in 3 years but it will happen.

So that's why, not everybody wants to put it's money in that trade which suppresses the price to what it is right now.

The December 2015 contract is now trading at a 0.65 discount to front month silver because of it!

IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY SILVER IN 2015 THAN IF YOU BUY IT NOW!!

THAT MEANS A SURE DEFAULT BEFORE 2015!!! SEPTEMBER 2012 IS WHERE A DEFAULT IS EXPECTED.

(will it happen in september? No. But the wheels will start to come off and become visible which will trigger hoarding of silver and a price explosion)

Silver futures:

Month           Settle Estimated Volume

Prior Day Open Interest

 

JLY 11           39.546      108      380

 

AUG 11           39.549      551      417

SEP 11           39.558      58,320      60,423 

DEC 11           39.581      1,939      26,443

JAN 12           39.582      6           133

 MAR 12           39.578      99      5,269

 MAY 12           39.565      110      1,578

JLY 12           39.552      91      1,759

SEP 12           39.532      9      218   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TIPPING POINT!!! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< HERE IS WHERE BETS ARE PLACED ON A DEFAULT!!

DEC 12           39.480      273      8,004

JAN 13           39.462      -      1

MAR 13           39.423      25      400

MAY 13           39.381      -      -

JLY 13           39.338      44      2,212

DEC 13           39.251      145      6,744

JLY 14           39.191      9      228

DEC 14           39.102      49      1,174

JLY 15           38.981      -      166

DEC 15           38.901      30      450   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Compaired to gold:

Daily Settlements for Gold Futures (PRELIMINARY)Trade Date: 07/20/2011

 

Month           Settle Estimated Volume

Prior Day Open Interest

JLY 11           1596.7 6     81

AUG 11           1596.9       135,98     250,826

SEP 11           1597.5       415      8,880

OCT 11           1598.0       1,361      15,618

DEC 11           1599.0       13,380      169,279

FEB 12           1600.4        826       11,459

APR 12           1601.9       160        6,146

JUN 12           1603.6        86       14,424

AUG 12           1605.5        1      5,016

OCT 12           1607.7         1         4,112

DEC 12           1610.2        159      11,711

FEB 13           1612.9           -       1,560

APR 13           1616.1         -       201

JUN 13           1619.8         7       11,065

DEC 13           1634.1         8       12,48 

JUN 14           1651.8           -        3,136

DEC 14           1673.9          -     9,270

JUN 15           1700.0         -     3,725

DEC 15           1730.1      -     2,768

 

 

This means that those wishing to purchase gold for delivery in December of 2015 must pay a PREMIUM of $133.40/oz to cover costs such as storage, insurance, etc.  This is 8.35% of the cost of the front month contract!

 

So while Gold is clearly going to run a lot higher, Silver will go parabolic once the Comex crashes. The paper price is actually what's really killing the silver market. If the price would be at 150$, the comex might still make a shot because that would lower demand at bit and trigger some profit takers to sell silver.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:41 | 1517088 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

EXCELLENT work Sudden Debt!  Good digging up some curious facts.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:59 | 1516707 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

Oh well, we didn't have a bankrun yet, but my PM's also already did VERY WELL! :)

A average 38% rise on investment :)

And that's why, I SUPPORT OUR POLITICIANS!

GO AHEAD BOYS! FUCK THINGS UP EVEN MORE THEN YOU ALREADY DID!!

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:00 | 1516711 Critical Path
Critical Path's picture

What happens if said liquidation of assets include US Treasuries?  Oh... I get it...

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:00 | 1516712 dervish
dervish's picture

solid article. thank you very much. paper money for speculation, real money for preservation. just have to get the timing right!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:02 | 1516718 Long-John-Silver
Long-John-Silver's picture

We are Barbaric Bitchez!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:27 | 1516808 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

Let's go Clubbing and get ourself some ass :)

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:02 | 1516719 Whatta
Whatta's picture

Could someone PLEASE tell me how a small investor in the USA can buy gold in euros or in sterling? Is there an ETF, or other easy way to make that trade?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:09 | 1516741 Long-John-Silver
Long-John-Silver's picture

Are you holding physical Euros and/or Sterling? If not you would trade in Europe converting US Dollars to Euros or Sterling before making the trade. That conversion is an additional cost to the trade. You may also be hit with a VAT tax as well. If you are holding physical Euros and/or Sterling you'll need to convert them to US Dollars which will be an additional cost.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:42 | 1516835 SWCroaker
SWCroaker's picture

Egad, you've been listening to Dennis Garpman?  The man's a doorstop with a well developed vocabulary.

 

Buy gold in OUNCES (preferably troy).  Ounces, ounces, ounces.  Physical.  From that point forward, the price of your holdings will be priced in every currency in the world: dollars, euros, swissies, take your pick.  The price of your holdings in Euros can be seen via the internet daily if that floats your boat.

In future days, you can then take yourself (and some of your ounces) to any part of the planet you wish, convert them to paper, and spend away.  (There are risks that go with physical transport, but it can be done).  Or if you like, just before traveling, convert ounces to your cheesy local fiat paper, put it in an internationally accessible electronic account, and then spend/withdraw from that account when you reach your destination

  • if you start thinking of gold as a currency, then you'll understand the "just buy oz's"; you don't "buy euros in dollars" you just park cash in euros
  • if you don't hold it, you're at risk to the issuer of the paper coming through on their end at crunch time; paper always comes with counterparty risk
  • you continually need to watch/act accordingly to laws governing ownership/transport/sale of bullion.

Dennis is a nit wit.  The concept of buying gold in euros because you're worried about the dollar only makes sense if the price of gold in dollars and euros gets seriously out of whack.  Arbitrage players keep that from happening, unless price controls on gold are enacted, at which point trust me when I say you'd really, really want physical under those conditions.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:09 | 1516961 Whatta
Whatta's picture

Good answer. Thanks.

It's just a little slower to get in and out of as a trade, but good for a longer term hold.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:44 | 1517112 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Exactly the right reply.  Just BUY the real thing!  And buy it now!  $1640 is still cheap!  But it with whatever fiat you have.

Physical gold.  Ounces.  The more the better.

fofoa.blogspot.com

I am not FOFOA, but I contribute to him.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:31 | 1517381 tsx500
tsx500's picture

Croak : reading your comment reminded me of something i've been thinking about recently regarding physical Au ownership : do u think it matters how diversified one's stash (of 1-oz. coins) is in terms of country of origin/mint i.e. should one own Amer Eagles &/or Buffalos,AND Canadian Maples,AND S.Af Kruggs, etc etc OR just stay w/American stuff ? of course the context of my question is regarding Au as long-term investment/wealth storage and NOT as a trading vehicle. thanx for any advice .....

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 20:51 | 1519140 SWCroaker
SWCroaker's picture

tsx - In historical times, it was very common for cultures to honor other country's bullion.  (The US and China both semi-officially used Spanish reals around the time of the Colonies, as neither had any sizable access to their own bullion supplies at that point).   I suspect that this form of sharing was not due so much to neighborly respect, but leaned on the fact that the common people were wise in the ways of telling what was honest coin and what was phoney.  Back then it would have taken a very wealthy sort of scam artist to contemplate faking coins; and he'd literally risk his neck by doing so.  Most pilferage was carried out by governments that debased during re-minting, or small time shaving of coins by everyday folk.

The whole set up resulted in widespread skills of assaying (determining the weight & metal content) among a largely illiterate populace.  In Argentina's recent brush with collapse, the same skills re-emerged, with people moving links of gold chains and bracelets as a form of black-market currency.  These skills already exist at jewelers, pawn and coin shops.  Should pms become culturally common, I would think we'll all re-learn them, and in that regard, bullion is bullion, and the cheapest you can get per oz is the deciding factor.  People will obviously be more comfortable accepting bullion that is well-known over obscure, but even off-beat bullion in an odd form can find a buyer near spot if you stick with buyers who have assaying skills.

There can be some tax issues in various countries that might sway your decision.  In the US, when you sell your bullion to a business, such as a coin store, they are required to try to file a 1099 on the deal if certain parameters are not met (quantities over a limit for a given type of coin).  One description of those parameters can be found here: http://goldsilver.com/article/privacy-facts-on-selling-gold-silver-irs-1... , which shows that the US is moderately picky about coins other than their own.  Note that laws can and do change, and that the IRS expects you to self-file any and all gains from sales, whether a 1099 is sent in on the transaction or not.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 03:33 | 1523068 Boxed Merlot
Boxed Merlot's picture

even off-beat bullion in an odd form can find a buyer near spot if you stick with buyers who have assaying skills...

 

Here in CA, there are many mom and pop operations with holes in the ground shuffling out high grade ore that continues to be crushed, sluiced, smelted and flattened out in wafers that find their way to places like Chinatown in the city.  The Barbary Coast doesn't use 1099s.  But neither does the fed.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:08 | 1516912 technovelist
technovelist's picture

duplicate post

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:57 | 1516920 technovelist
technovelist's picture

Why would you want to do that? If you really want to, just sell short the Euro or Sterling ETF for the same amount that you are purchasing gold for, e.g., if you are spending $1 million on gold, sell $1 million short of the Euro or Sterling ETF. But that is really two trades, not one. I'd just settle for buying gold in whatever currency you currently hold.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:50 | 1517472 doggings
doggings's picture

Could someone PLEASE tell me how a small investor in the USA can buy gold in euros or in sterling? Is there an ETF, or other easy way to make that trade?

you could buy it for dollars and sell it for Eu or GBP at any time thro www.bullionvault.com or similar ?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:03 | 1516723 John McCloy
John McCloy's picture

   The music is and will stop on the Euro infinite bailouts so why would someone holding significant wealth even risk the inevitable and leave their cash in these zombies. Of course bankruns and flights to safety only exacerbate the problem which is that even with government and intervention the distortions the free market is always hard at work seeing through the fog seeking both return and safety. So yeah metals make sense..even in a deflationary scenario the relative buying power to other assets if gold falls will still retain it buying power.

         Ben cannot launch a QE3 with gold at these levels. Even he has to see that the 2QE programs have do nothing to stimlulate the economy judging from the data of the past 2 months so how could he possibly posture that this wold be an effort to stimluate growth anywhere but in bankster pockets at our expense?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:14 | 1516758 Life of Illusion
Life of Illusion's picture

 

Aug 9th FOMC will say we need more as economy slows below 1%

Bloomberg pumping it now.

A Richard Koo classic.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-02/fed-policy-makers-may-consider-additional-stimulus-as-u-s-economy-slows.html

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:20 | 1516776 John McCloy
John McCloy's picture

Yeah but we all know this game now. Whenever there is a pullback a rumor comes out of left field to try to prop. Rhetoric does not make growth. I think we all expected a QE3 rumor from the Fed with the markets cratering like they have been and if there is another pull back today we should see another rumor by tomorrow afternoon. The half-lifes on not only bailouts but rumors must be having em them quaking. I just cannot see how he can launch a QE3 with oil and metals this high.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:48 | 1517137 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Greened.

But, it is NOT a bad idea to start pulling $$$ from our own US banks, what with the 0% they pay us to protect our money.

I know nothing, but I suspect that QE3 is underway or will imminently be underway.  Run and hide!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:26 | 1516801 Hobbleknee
Hobbleknee's picture

QE3 will go forward in secret. It's probably already happening.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:03 | 1516726 ZimbabweTrillionaire
ZimbabweTrillionaire's picture

Tyler, This seems to be playing out as expected:

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/guest-post-how-equity-market-prices-recession-0

This was the second posting of this chart.  Does anyone have the link to the first posting (I believe we were only at point D)?

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:03 | 1516728 yabyum
yabyum's picture

Gold, silver and Sprott for the win!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:04 | 1516729 Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs's picture

Paging KidD & Brian OFlanagan. Your table is ready.

Today's Blue Plate Special is a big pile O'Shite for you.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 15:53 | 1518096 akak
akak's picture

LOL!

Indeed, and add MethMan to that list as well.

Just for old time's sake:

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Only $5 to dig it from the ground!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:05 | 1516731 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

Agree completely, but the real "risk" trade is at what price will an all out war (including confiscation) on PM holders begin in earnest.  All transactions over $10,000 have been recorded thanks to Obama. 

Focusing more on the Gold:Silver spot ratio now, more comments on this please, something has got to give, what is it going to be?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:27 | 1516807 Hobbleknee
Hobbleknee's picture

When the stormtroopers come, say it was stolen.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:49 | 1517147 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Damn boating accidents...

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:32 | 1516825 yabyum
yabyum's picture

Law o' physics, Keep trades small<10k. I like <1965 US dimes....i does not get any smaller than that.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:10 | 1516745 jkruffin
jkruffin's picture

Tyler, you are slacking.....city in Rhode Island has officially filed for Bankruptcy

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cashstrapped-RI-city-files-apf-1809896377....

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:12 | 1516752 Cortez
Cortez's picture

ZH had this story posted yesterday afternoon.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:14 | 1516761 jkruffin
jkruffin's picture

I know, I'm just busting his chops, the Twitter texts are rolling out so fast today, I thought he forgot about the website LOL

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:35 | 1517406 tsx500
tsx500's picture

man landed on the moon                   

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:10 | 1516746 Cortez
Cortez's picture

I'm annoyed by all this Gabby Giffords is doing so well B.S.  I was watching CSPAN when she showed up on the House Floor.  I didn't realize it was her at first and thought "who is that challenged lady waving like a slow six year old?"  She is lucky to be alive but I wouldn't call her recovery "living well" as the MSM is portraying.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:17 | 1516768 redpill
redpill's picture

Well and with her massive brain damage it finally gives Sheila Jackson Lee an intellectual compatriot in the Democratic caucus.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:15 | 1516982 weinerdog43
weinerdog43's picture

Which of course means that they are intellectual giants compared to theother side of the aisle.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:32 | 1517039 Silver Dreamer
Silver Dreamer's picture

You cannot lobotomize a puppet.  I still believe the judge was the target too.  Sadly, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Did anyone ever get the wound details on the judge?   How many times was he hit and where?  The devil is in the details!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:55 | 1516899 bardian
bardian's picture

Bringing her out was an utterly pathetic effort and sickening display by congress to improve their image.  I'm sure people who were watching and felt a certain admiration for her bravery in the the line of duty couldn't help feeling that all the brave men and women of this fine congressional body also take substantial risks in their pursuit to serve the people.

Fuck you congress.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:39 | 1517428 tsx500
tsx500's picture

exactly , plus it served as sort of a 'distraction' from the whole debt ceiling ass-rape debacle.     they are definitely squirming bigtime  in d.c.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:14 | 1516757 DaveyJones
DaveyJones's picture

is anything not fucked up?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:08 | 1516956 Kali
Kali's picture

No

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:16 | 1516765 Internet Tough Guy
Internet Tough Guy's picture

The euro is built on 10000 tons of the ultimate collateral. It will not fail.

FOA:
"Basically, this is the direction the Euro group is taking us. This concept was born with little regard for the economic health of Europe. In the future, any countries money or economy can totally fail and the world currency operation will continue. What is being built is a new currency system, built on a world market price for gold.

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:25 | 1516798 Thorlyx
Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:47 | 1516877 Internet Tough Guy
Internet Tough Guy's picture

Line 1

http://www.ecb.int/press/pr/wfs/2011/html/fs110706.en.html

In the week ending 1 July 2011 the increase of EUR 12.6 billion in gold and gold receivables (asset item 1) reflected quarterly revaluation adjustments

 

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:10 | 1516966 Thorlyx
Thorlyx's picture

I did the math. If gold doubles its value in EUR, each euro banknote will be backed 100 % with gold.

 

 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:52 | 1517171 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Green for the FOFOA Tough Guy!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:16 | 1516766 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

"The Government Lied... There is No More Silver!" Feb 21, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2w7wGwUZ9Y

Oh really!? Please explain why I can still purchase silver?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:18 | 1516772 redpill
redpill's picture

You're not a very good troll.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:23 | 1516785 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

On the job training is not what it used to be.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:33 | 1516828 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

Can we keep it realz? Plz. Explain the silver conundrum facing investors but don't attempt to blame it on some conspiracy.

If you own a silver ETF i'd say you know the silver market well enough to give an educated answer. Not a conspiracy answer implying government coverups and secret worldwide manipulation by the boogeyman.

Go.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:41 | 1516852 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Very nice. Only this time give it to me with some real feeling. From the heart man, from the heart. Dig for it.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:20 | 1516998 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

"There is No More Silver!"

His words from his mouth. I did not say it he did. Why? Motive. Was it true?

Just seeking the truth my friend. LoL!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:53 | 1517179 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

I just posted enough proof for that quote.

 

________________________________________________________

There's a big difference with gold and silver trades.

Less and less people are trading the paper silver because there simply isn't enough silver to back it up which means the comex will one day default. It could be in 1 month, it could be in 3 years but it will happen.

So that's why, not everybody wants to put it's money in that trade which suppresses the price to what it is right now.

The December 2015 contract is now trading at a 0.65 discount to front month silver because of it!

IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY SILVER IN 2015 THAN IF YOU BUY IT NOW!!

THAT MEANS A SURE DEFAULT BEFORE 2015!!! SEPTEMBER 2012 IS WHERE A DEFAULT IS EXPECTED.

(will it happen in september? No. But the wheels will start to come off and become visible which will trigger hoarding of silver and a price explosion)

Silver futures:

Month           Settle Estimated Volume

Prior Day Open Interest

 

JLY 11           39.546      108      380

 

AUG 11           39.549      551      417

SEP 11           39.558      58,320      60,423 

DEC 11           39.581      1,939      26,443

JAN 12           39.582      6           133

 MAR 12           39.578      99      5,269

 MAY 12           39.565      110      1,578

JLY 12           39.552      91      1,759

SEP 12           39.532      9      218   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TIPPING POINT!!! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< HERE IS WHERE BETS ARE PLACED ON A DEFAULT!!

DEC 12           39.480      273      8,004

JAN 13           39.462      -      1

MAR 13           39.423      25      400

MAY 13           39.381      -      -

JLY 13           39.338      44      2,212

DEC 13           39.251      145      6,744

JLY 14           39.191      9      228

DEC 14           39.102      49      1,174

JLY 15           38.981      -      166

DEC 15           38.901      30      450   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Compaired to gold:

Daily Settlements for Gold Futures (PRELIMINARY)Trade Date: 07/20/2011

 

Month           Settle Estimated Volume

Prior Day Open Interest

JLY 11           1596.7 6     81

AUG 11           1596.9       135,98     250,826

SEP 11           1597.5       415      8,880

OCT 11           1598.0       1,361      15,618

DEC 11           1599.0       13,380      169,279

FEB 12           1600.4        826       11,459

APR 12           1601.9       160        6,146

JUN 12           1603.6        86       14,424

AUG 12           1605.5        1      5,016

OCT 12           1607.7         1         4,112

DEC 12           1610.2        159      11,711

FEB 13           1612.9           -       1,560

APR 13           1616.1         -       201

JUN 13           1619.8         7       11,065

DEC 13           1634.1         8       12,48 

JUN 14           1651.8           -        3,136

DEC 14           1673.9          -     9,270

JUN 15           1700.0         -     3,725

DEC 15           1730.1      -     2,768

 

 

This means that those wishing to purchase gold for delivery in December of 2015 must pay a PREMIUM of $133.40/oz to cover costs such as storage, insurance, etc.  This is 8.35% of the cost of the front month contract!

 

So while Gold is clearly going to run a lot higher, Silver will go parabolic once the Comex crashes. The paper price is actually what's really killing the silver market. If the price would be at 150$, the comex might still make a shot because that would lower demand at bit and trigger some profit takers to sell silver.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 20:55 | 1519158 Diogenes
Diogenes's picture

There is a lot of fake silver on the market. By that I mean paper that represents silver with nothing to back it up. This is hardly news. Every once in a while someone corners the silver market and demands delivery, the exchanges cannot deliver because they havent got it, and the buyer settles for cash at a big premium. Warren Buffet pulled off such a corner in 1997.

Since then a lot more silver has been sold, loaned, hypothecated, and pledged as security. Sometimes several times over. The actual silver in the vaults of the big players grows smaller every year as they are forced to deliver it. Someday they will not be able to deliver any, they have already changed the rules to say they dont have to on the metals exchanges, they can cash settle.

Same goes for gold. This is why the more paranoid investors insist on taking delivery of the actual gold and silver. They believe at some point everyone will want their metal and it wont exist.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:24 | 1516790 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

I'm just trying to learn from the master why the silver price is stagnant. If there is no more physical and demand is great, why is price flat lined.

Oh yes, boogeyman manipulators?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:33 | 1516829 lieutenantjohnchard
lieutenantjohnchard's picture

please, please give me more of your 'stagnant" silver price. my silver holding valuation has tripled is the past couple of years. in the past i could get silver from dealers pretty quick. now it's 4 to 6 weeks. same for gold. the price has gone from $20 to $40 this year. so by all means please give me more of the same.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:47 | 1517128 Silver Dreamer
Silver Dreamer's picture

"Life is hard; its harder when you're stupid."  His name says all we need to know.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:54 | 1517184 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

LOL...  And green for you!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:03 | 1517231 Silver Dreamer
Silver Dreamer's picture

For the record, I am not a silver bug.  This handle has been around since the BBS days, and it was originally created without PM's in mind at all.  In this economic environment, it does seem rather appropriate however.  I have yet to dream of silver, but I certainly understand how many folks could.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 20:23 | 1519071 SamuelMaverick
SamuelMaverick's picture

Silver Dreamer, great John Wayne Quote.  TSA guy, go to the US Treasury website and go see for yourself the US holdings of silver. I did, and it will blow your mind.  They had been selling it in great quantities for years, and now they are basically out of any significant amounts of silver.  This is only one of many reasons why silver is going to do a moonshot.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:03 | 1516940 mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

CBs are not buying tonnes of silver.  So you'll have to forgive Ag for it's "sluggishness" of late (since climbing from $17 last September). 

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:21 | 1516993 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Doesn't look to stagnant to me.  Seems to me it was sub $10 a couple years ago. Not a bad return. What's the market been doing over the past few days?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:37 | 1516839 fuu
fuu's picture

No he pretty much sucks at it.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:39 | 1516848 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

Our friendship means more to me than anything!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:55 | 1517191 Silver Dreamer
Silver Dreamer's picture

You have seriously insulted the meaning of that word twice now in a single thread. Friends are two people who are seeking to further or defending the same principles. Clearly, as the fascist you appear to be, you have VERY few friends on here.

You're probably at work right now, and bombs are passing through security. Maybe you should take your attention off the computer screen and put it back to where it belongs. That's all assuming you really are the uber TSA Thug you say you are. har har

Don't you have a little old lady in a wheel chair or a young boy to molest?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 21:45 | 1519277 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

"Dear Mr. Fantasy, play us a tune; something to make us feel happy!"

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:29 | 1516817 IslandStyle123
IslandStyle123's picture

Wow, if the markets tank like this after the best news they're gonna get for the rest of the year.....can't wait for non-farm payrolls.

Gold to $2000!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:55 | 1517194 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Perhaps this year.

Next year: $5000?

Then: $55,000?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:32 | 1516826 onarga74
onarga74's picture

Is there anyone on the planet who is bearish on gold?  At the risk of ridicule and responses with long list of reasons why everyone should be long gold I will establish that today in your hearing the multi year run in gold is over.  The top is in the run is done.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:38 | 1516841 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

You are a brave man.

When that point in time arrives, I do not dispute your claim. I wonder if Mr. Sprotts holdings will accelerate the velocity of the downward elevator ride as he dumps physical and accumulates paper shorts?

It will be fascinating to watch the carnage.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:51 | 1516893 lieutenantjohnchard
lieutenantjohnchard's picture

i think you're on to something regarding sprott's business plan. work real hard to accomplish something. then once success is achieved actively work to destroy your customers and do the exact opposite of what you set out to do in the first place. no wonder you've achieved financial success in life. your thinking is crisp, and sharp.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:57 | 1516918 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

Let's not get emotional, ok comrade?

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:08 | 1516951 Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs's picture

LT John,

There's no helping these trolls. They equate a couple hundred people here who are PM bulls to billions of other people scattered all over the Earth. They have no sense of scale when it comes to the gold and silver markets. The numbers are still very tiny when compared to other asset allocations. We haven't seen anything yet, and most know that around here, thanks to people like Eric Sprott.

Cheers brother.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:18 | 1516995 lieutenantjohnchard
lieutenantjohnchard's picture

you're right. i'm guilty of feeding the trolls. no excuse, but sometimes i can't help myself. their lack of thinking, perspective and understanding is so galactic that i feel compelled to respond.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:22 | 1517000 TSA Thug
TSA Thug's picture

But comrade. My hunger. Please feed.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:59 | 1517218 Silver Dreamer
Silver Dreamer's picture

I too could not help myself.  The friend comments are what got me.   Kudos are due to TSA Thug however.  He has successfully drawn people in to relieve some of the painful boredom and lack of friendship he endures.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:38 | 1516843 fuu
fuu's picture

saving for posterity

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:58 | 1517210 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Wish I could give you 10 greens for that one.

My gold will likely be GIVEN away, never sold

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:39 | 1516846 mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

Physical holdings don't show up as longs in the paper markets.  :)

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:42 | 1516853 Bastiat
Bastiat's picture

Yeah?  Then place your bet.  Tell us about it in December.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:43 | 1516857 Bastiat
Bastiat's picture

Overheard on the Titanic: "Everyone is heading for the lifeboats: time to go below decks!"

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:47 | 1516873 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

The top isn't in until Joe six pack is out buying it instead of selling their trinkets to the local pawn shop.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:49 | 1516887 SWCroaker
SWCroaker's picture

I seen a guy last week who's bearish on gold.  Course, I also think he's bearish on gravity, is looking for the sun to rise in the West, and firmly believes aliens want to probe him in embarrassing places.

Take heart; while your desire to go against the flow of extreme reason and inevitability does make you pretty unique, it hasn't isolated you entirely....

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:22 | 1517002 mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

Is there anyone on the planet who is bearish on gold?

Yes...the folks selling it to me.  :D

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 14:07 | 1517558 doggings
doggings's picture

"Is there anyone on the planet who is bearish on Gold?"

er.. yes, the mainstream is..

http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2011/07/bubbles

and you of course, Mr S. Heeple ;)

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 15:42 | 1518019 DavidJ
DavidJ's picture

Yes my aunt in California.  She is bearisg on Gold.

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 20:54 | 1522501 honestann
honestann's picture

If you are a shill, you are a joke.

If you are sincere, I feel very, very sorry for you if you have any savings, because you shall be wiped off the face of the earth (financially speaking).

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:44 | 1516862 mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

AU...Get away
You get a good job with good pay and you're okay 
AU...It's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star daydream
Think I'll buy me a football team 

AU...Well, get back
I'm all right Jack
Keep your hands off of my stack 
AU...It's a hit
Don't give me that do goody good bul****t
I'm in the high-fidelity first class travelling set
I think I need a Lear jet

AU...It's a crime
Share it fairly
But don't take a slice of my pie 
AU....So they say
Is the root of all evil today
But if you ask for a raise
It's no surprise that they're giving none away

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:00 | 1517222 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

+ $1640

Pink Floyd and gold. Well done!  Worth 10 greens...

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:45 | 1516867 Highrev
Highrev's picture

In MY view, the depositors that chose to transfer their money out of their local U.S. banks deserve some recognition, because they ‘get it’.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:01 | 1517224 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

See you in line or at the ATM!

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:54 | 1516902 Highrev
Highrev's picture

As the questionnaire above suggests, we believe a growing number of European depositors are transferring their money out of EU banks, and many of them are reinvesting their capital into gold and silver for safety.

What? This entire article is based on a "questionnaire" that is "facetious"? In other words, it's based on rank speculative opinion?

ZH, shame on you for publishing something that will most certainly be a laughing stock in not too awfully long (for those of us who paid no attention that is - for those who followed its "advice", it will be another story though).

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 20:51 | 1522493 honestann
honestann's picture

You missed the point.  The questionnaire was simply a device to concisely present the thinking process of people who "get it" (understand what is happening in the banking and financial systems).

The FACT is, almost everyone who has any savings and is not a die-hard sheeple, already has gone through the thinking process outlined by the questionnaire.

This is a perfectly reasonable article, and important for anyone who doesn't yet "get it" (the world-wide fraud perpetrated by the international central gangster banksters and their bought-and-paid-for cronies in government).

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:57 | 1516916 overmedicatedun...
overmedicatedundersexed's picture

almost seems until the senate passes the devils debt bill, the market cannot kick down PM's because there is no pump money left..I know it's not correct but something is preventing the attack on PM's we all thought was sure after the house vote.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:06 | 1516953 mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

Not sure if the market is waiting for the approval stamp to "respond."  I think the market believes the stamp is a given but sees through the window dressing that it's a gigantic can-kicking bill.  Even the zomboids at MSNBC is saying "despite the bill, the economy still stinks."

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:12 | 1516970 FranSix
FranSix's picture

There can be a run on the bullion banks very easily, since the perported leverage in the bullion markets is 100X.  This far exceeds the leverage in the banking sector.

Why that hasn't been a factor remains an open question.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 13:29 | 1517371 bharat
bharat's picture

Its entirely possible that the Gold ETFs are a massive fraud, far exceeding the Madoff fraud. Many people have written about this. Don't be surprised if you wake up one day with gold up 100% after the fraud is discovered.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 14:46 | 1517729 onarga74
onarga74's picture

The first couple of moves down in GLD will be margin calls from the rot in equities.  Looks like it may start today. Gold spiked and volume is tapering off as stocks moves lower...SPX breaches 200dma

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 02:58 | 1519696 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

In Keynes defence he said: In truth, the gold standard is already a barbarous relic.

I'm sure this has been pointed out before on a site that is say 30% discussion of PMs but I'll point it out again because like Goldmember "I looooovesa gooold"

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 04:32 | 1519744 eazyas
eazyas's picture

Hi im from nothern ireland, still a relitivly new member here.

 

How can i sign up for the twitter alerts ?

 

What should i spend my next £1000 on, 20 ounces of silver or 1 ounce of gold, help out a small investor like me please :)

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 04:55 | 1519751 steveo
steveo's picture

If no have no siilver, then get teh silver..

If you have survive and barter silver already, get the gold.

Wed, 09/14/2011 - 04:32 | 1667294 chinawholesaler
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