As the Biden administration settles in, investors are watching closely for signs of what is coming. Across the pond, Lawrie Williams gives us his perspective on the outlook of yellow metal under Biden, and Biden’s new Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had to clarify some recent statements she made about cryptocurrencies.

We have this plus news on platinum, the Asian gold market, inflation, and more.

Let’s dig in…

Stock Market
Picking Platinum, a Strong Choice Now in Precious Metals

Over the last three months, platinum bullion products have taken the mantle as top ETF gainers in the precious metals space. In particular, the largest platinum trust creation, Aberdeen Standard Physical Platinum Shares (PPLT) has gained nearly 30% over 13 weeks. Compared to precious metals bullion performance from Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares (PALL), iShares Silver Trust (SLV), SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), or the diversified resource owning VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and the VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ), platinum is now the standout winner.

Commentary
Lawrie Williams Looks at What a Biden Administration Means for Gold

Joe Biden assumed the U.S. Presidency on Wednesday, thankfully without most of the strongly forecasted Trump supporting demonstrations occurring around the U.S., nor in Washington DC itself. The thousands of National Guard soldiers called in, in case of armed dissension, were thus not needed, although there are indications that the outgoing President will not be going quietly. It is not in his nature. President Biden has also begun quickly to dismantle some of the Trump era’s more contentious decisions. He will be prioritizing moves to try and bring the coronavirus pandemic under more control, although he may be thwarted in some of his efforts by some recalcitrant Republican state governors and legislators. Such is the U.S.’s Federal governance system which has mostly served it well over the years. So, what will the Biden Presidency mean for gold?

Commentary
Here’s Why You Can Expect a Future Bull Market

After breaking out early in the new year, it’s been sideways and down for precious metals lately. But don’t let the short-term picture fool you. Host Craig Hemke sits down with legendary resource investor Rick Rule of Sprott, Inc. to break down all the gold and silver news you need to understand where we are in the bull market. In this edition of the Weekly Wrap-Up, you’ll hear:

LISTEN TO PODCAST

Economy
New Treasury Secretary Clarifies Her Comments on Bitcoin – Regulation Coming?

Joe Biden’s pick to become the new U.S. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, has clarified her stance on bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. This follows her remarks during a Senate hearing when she said that cryptocurrencies are mostly used for illicit financing. Janet Yellen clarified her position on the regulation of cryptocurrencies in a written testimony published Thursday following the Senate hearing on her nomination as the Treasury Secretary. During the hearing, Yellen made some statements regarding cryptocurrencies which were heavily criticized as being inaccurate.

Commentary
Inflation Might Make Gold Glitter in 2021

Inflation will be one of the greatest upside risks for gold this year. Will it materialize and make gold shine? The report about gold in 2021 would be incomplete without the outlook for inflation. We have already written about it recently, but this topic is worth further examination. After all, higher inflation is believed to be one of the biggest tail risks in the coming months or years, and one of the greatest upside risks for gold this year. Most economists and investors still believe that inflation is dead. After all, the only way to justify the central banks’ unprecedentedly dovish actions is the premise of low inflation. And the only way to justify the buoyant stock market amid the new highs in the number of Americans in hospital with COVID-19 is the expectation of an inflationless economic recovery this year. In other words, many people forecast the return to the Goldilocks economy after the end of the pandemic.

International
Gold Retail Demand Rises in Asia as Chinese New Year Approaches

Demand for physical gold picked up this week as the approaching Chinese New Year encouraged buyers in China and Singapore, with dealers expecting more purchases in coming weeks. Chinese dealers charged $0.50-$4 an ounce over benchmark spot gold prices, unchanged from last week when they added a premium having been forced to offer heavy discounts for much of 2020 as the pandemic squeezed retail demand.

Thanks,
Gold Silver Central