Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
With all the focus on the surprise move in gold on Thursday after months of subdued trade, it was easy to miss the action in silver.
As is the norm, trade in silver was more volatile than gold, with the precious metal gaining 4.4% to trade above $20 an ounce for the first time in almost three months.
The metal added another 1% on Friday, hitting $20.91 and bringing gains for the week to more than 6%.
While gold broke through its 200-day moving average – a very bullish sign – on a long term horizon silver’s breakout could turn out to be more significant.
A number of fundamental factors are playing a part in the surge in precious metals, among them safe haven buying on the back of the Iraqi and Ukraine troubles and financial repression by global central banks.
Ole Hansen, chief of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank says an equally important factor is the speculative positioning held in the market by tactical traders such as hedge funds and money managers.
The change in sentiment among speculators towards silver has been astonishing.
On May 27 for the first time in more than three years so-called managed-money entered a net short position – bets that the price will go down.
Two weeks later short positions hit nearly 40,000 contracts or 200 million ounces.
Hansen points to this chart that shows silver in the process of breaking a trend line which has been providing resistance ever since the metal reached $50 an ounce back in April 2011:
Source: Saxo Bank
2 Comments
TruthDestroysWorlds
The truth is, honesty ‘always’ wins out over dishonesty in the fullness of time.
It is merely a question of placing your bets, and then simply remaining patient whilst genuine market forces work to overcome those that are lets say “less genuine”,
No ‘market manipulation’ having ever lasted indefinately.
Steve3
early days- dont get too excited- see if it is sustainable over the next few months