Jeff Nichols's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/96201/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/111592-the-battle-of-the-flations?source=feed#comment-334557 334557
During periods of deflation, we postpone spending in anticipation of lower prices. Instead, households hoard cash and cash-equivalents such as short-term U.S. Treasury debt, bank deposits, and money-market instruments. Gold is also a cash-equivalent . . . and some will choose to hold more of their savings in the yellow metal, particularly during times of economic stress and uncertainty when gold just feels safer.

Moreover, deflations are also characterized by very low interest rates. Rates are low because the demand for credit is depressed, savings are high, and the Federal Reserve and other central banks will pursue low reflationary interest-rate policies to encourage economic recovery.

As a result, the opportunity cost of holding gold – that is, the income forgone by holding these metals rather than interest-bearing assets – is also extremely low, further encouraging some investors to favor the precious metal over alternatives because of its other attractions and attributes.

For more on gold, deflation, inflation and the economic outlook, see my blog, NicholsOnGold.com

]]> Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:31:38 -0500
During periods of deflation, we postpone spending in anticipation of lower prices. Instead, households hoard cash and cash-equivalents such as short-term U.S. Treasury debt, bank deposits, and money-market instruments. Gold is also a cash-equivalent . . . and some will choose to hold more of their savings in the yellow metal, particularly during times of economic stress and uncertainty when gold just feels safer.

Moreover, deflations are also characterized by very low interest rates. Rates are low because the demand for credit is depressed, savings are high, and the Federal Reserve and other central banks will pursue low reflationary interest-rate policies to encourage economic recovery.

As a result, the opportunity cost of holding gold – that is, the income forgone by holding these metals rather than interest-bearing assets – is also extremely low, further encouraging some investors to favor the precious metal over alternatives because of its other attractions and attributes.

For more on gold, deflation, inflation and the economic outlook, see my blog, NicholsOnGold.com

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110920-russia-s-economic-and-financial-meltdown-continues-swiftly?source=feed#comment-330838 330838 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:31:26 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/110903-some-lessons-on-beating-the-deflation-trap?source=feed#comment-330833 330833 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:28:28 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/110275-scotiamocatta-gold-trends-to-snowball?source=feed#comment-326363 326363
(Excerpted from speech to China Gold Summit, December 4, 2008, Shanghai -- by Jeffrey Nichols, managing director of American Precious Metals Advisors and NicholsOnGold.com)

I remain bullish on gold because — even as the global economic recession deepens — governments will find the only way out of this mess is to print more money. In other words, to inflate.

The United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve have already thrown a few trillion dollars, more or less, into the banking system and are now also lending directly to businesses and households. And, there’s surely much more to come when the next Administration moves into Washington.

It’s not only the U.S. monetary authorities pumping up the money supply. Their counterparts in every major economy – including the United Kingdom and the Euro zone, China, Russia, Japan and on and on – are doing likewise.

We have never in the history of money seen such an expansion in its supply without, after a period of time, a rapid deterioration in its value – in other words, without a rapid increase in the overall price level. More than any other factor influencing the gold market, it is the inevitable devaluation of money and the corresponding rise in price inflation that will propel gold skyward in the next few years.

As sure as day follows night, reflationary monetary policies — however necessary — have long-term implications for global inflation. Typically, monetary creation affects price inflation with a lag of six months to a couple of years – and in the current environment, the lag could be still longer . . . so it may be some time before inflation is recognized as a serious problem. But gold prices have shorter lags and could begin moving up before rising inflation becomes apparent or worrisome.

Longer term, gold-price prospects remain as bright as ever — and I firmly believe we will see record high prices in the next few years with gold back over $1000 an ounce in the coming year.

With the right confluence of economic and geopolitical developments we should see gold break through $1500, then $2000, and possibly still higher round numbers in the next few years – particularly if we get the type of buying frenzy or mania that often occurs late in the price cycles of financial and commodity markets.

This is hardly an audacious forecast when looked at relative to the upward march in consumer prices over the past 28 years. After all, the previous high of $875 an ounce in January 1980, when adjusted for inflation since then, is today equivalent to more than $2200.

Let me end with a warning about the days and weeks ahead. In the short term, gold remains volatile and vulnerable, if only because market psychology is nervous, anxious, and fearful. In this environment, we could still get a quick sell-off that would bring us back to the recent lows. But, day by day, I think that becomes less likely and, day by day, I think the base is building for a lasting longer-term recovery.]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:04:23 -0500
(Excerpted from speech to China Gold Summit, December 4, 2008, Shanghai -- by Jeffrey Nichols, managing director of American Precious Metals Advisors and NicholsOnGold.com)

I remain bullish on gold because — even as the global economic recession deepens — governments will find the only way out of this mess is to print more money. In other words, to inflate.

The United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve have already thrown a few trillion dollars, more or less, into the banking system and are now also lending directly to businesses and households. And, there’s surely much more to come when the next Administration moves into Washington.

It’s not only the U.S. monetary authorities pumping up the money supply. Their counterparts in every major economy – including the United Kingdom and the Euro zone, China, Russia, Japan and on and on – are doing likewise.

We have never in the history of money seen such an expansion in its supply without, after a period of time, a rapid deterioration in its value – in other words, without a rapid increase in the overall price level. More than any other factor influencing the gold market, it is the inevitable devaluation of money and the corresponding rise in price inflation that will propel gold skyward in the next few years.

As sure as day follows night, reflationary monetary policies — however necessary — have long-term implications for global inflation. Typically, monetary creation affects price inflation with a lag of six months to a couple of years – and in the current environment, the lag could be still longer . . . so it may be some time before inflation is recognized as a serious problem. But gold prices have shorter lags and could begin moving up before rising inflation becomes apparent or worrisome.

Longer term, gold-price prospects remain as bright as ever — and I firmly believe we will see record high prices in the next few years with gold back over $1000 an ounce in the coming year.

With the right confluence of economic and geopolitical developments we should see gold break through $1500, then $2000, and possibly still higher round numbers in the next few years – particularly if we get the type of buying frenzy or mania that often occurs late in the price cycles of financial and commodity markets.

This is hardly an audacious forecast when looked at relative to the upward march in consumer prices over the past 28 years. After all, the previous high of $875 an ounce in January 1980, when adjusted for inflation since then, is today equivalent to more than $2200.

Let me end with a warning about the days and weeks ahead. In the short term, gold remains volatile and vulnerable, if only because market psychology is nervous, anxious, and fearful. In this environment, we could still get a quick sell-off that would bring us back to the recent lows. But, day by day, I think that becomes less likely and, day by day, I think the base is building for a lasting longer-term recovery.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110300-the-dollar-gets-slammed?source=feed#comment-326362 326362
(Excerpted from speech to China Gold Summit, December 4, 2008, Shanghai -- by Jeffrey Nichols, managing director of American Precious Metals Advisors and NicholsOnGold.com)

I remain bullish on gold because — even as the global economic recession deepens — governments will find the only way out of this mess is to print more money. In other words, to inflate.

The United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve have already thrown a few trillion dollars, more or less, into the banking system and are now also lending directly to businesses and households. And, there’s surely much more to come when the next Administration moves into Washington.

It’s not only the U.S. monetary authorities pumping up the money supply. Their counterparts in every major economy – including the United Kingdom and the Euro zone, China, Russia, Japan and on and on – are doing likewise.

We have never in the history of money seen such an expansion in its supply without, after a period of time, a rapid deterioration in its value – in other words, without a rapid increase in the overall price level. More than any other factor influencing the gold market, it is the inevitable devaluation of money and the corresponding rise in price inflation that will propel gold skyward in the next few years.

As sure as day follows night, reflationary monetary policies — however necessary — have long-term implications for global inflation. Typically, monetary creation affects price inflation with a lag of six months to a couple of years – and in the current environment, the lag could be still longer . . . so it may be some time before inflation is recognized as a serious problem. But gold prices have shorter lags and could begin moving up before rising inflation becomes apparent or worrisome.

Longer term, gold-price prospects remain as bright as ever — and I firmly believe we will see record high prices in the next few years with gold back over $1000 an ounce in the coming year.

With the right confluence of economic and geopolitical developments we should see gold break through $1500, then $2000, and possibly still higher round numbers in the next few years – particularly if we get the type of buying frenzy or mania that often occurs late in the price cycles of financial and commodity markets.

This is hardly an audacious forecast when looked at relative to the upward march in consumer prices over the past 28 years. After all, the previous high of $875 an ounce in January 1980, when adjusted for inflation since then, is today equivalent to more than $2200.

Let me end with a warning about the days and weeks ahead. In the short term, gold remains volatile and vulnerable, if only because market psychology is nervous, anxious, and fearful. In this environment, we could still get a quick sell-off that would bring us back to the recent lows. But, day by day, I think that becomes less likely and, day by day, I think the base is building for a lasting longer-term recovery.]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:03:12 -0500
(Excerpted from speech to China Gold Summit, December 4, 2008, Shanghai -- by Jeffrey Nichols, managing director of American Precious Metals Advisors and NicholsOnGold.com)

I remain bullish on gold because — even as the global economic recession deepens — governments will find the only way out of this mess is to print more money. In other words, to inflate.

The United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve have already thrown a few trillion dollars, more or less, into the banking system and are now also lending directly to businesses and households. And, there’s surely much more to come when the next Administration moves into Washington.

It’s not only the U.S. monetary authorities pumping up the money supply. Their counterparts in every major economy – including the United Kingdom and the Euro zone, China, Russia, Japan and on and on – are doing likewise.

We have never in the history of money seen such an expansion in its supply without, after a period of time, a rapid deterioration in its value – in other words, without a rapid increase in the overall price level. More than any other factor influencing the gold market, it is the inevitable devaluation of money and the corresponding rise in price inflation that will propel gold skyward in the next few years.

As sure as day follows night, reflationary monetary policies — however necessary — have long-term implications for global inflation. Typically, monetary creation affects price inflation with a lag of six months to a couple of years – and in the current environment, the lag could be still longer . . . so it may be some time before inflation is recognized as a serious problem. But gold prices have shorter lags and could begin moving up before rising inflation becomes apparent or worrisome.

Longer term, gold-price prospects remain as bright as ever — and I firmly believe we will see record high prices in the next few years with gold back over $1000 an ounce in the coming year.

With the right confluence of economic and geopolitical developments we should see gold break through $1500, then $2000, and possibly still higher round numbers in the next few years – particularly if we get the type of buying frenzy or mania that often occurs late in the price cycles of financial and commodity markets.

This is hardly an audacious forecast when looked at relative to the upward march in consumer prices over the past 28 years. After all, the previous high of $875 an ounce in January 1980, when adjusted for inflation since then, is today equivalent to more than $2200.

Let me end with a warning about the days and weeks ahead. In the short term, gold remains volatile and vulnerable, if only because market psychology is nervous, anxious, and fearful. In this environment, we could still get a quick sell-off that would bring us back to the recent lows. But, day by day, I think that becomes less likely and, day by day, I think the base is building for a lasting longer-term recovery.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110300-the-dollar-gets-slammed?source=feed#comment-326357 326357
(Excerpted from speech to China Gold Summit, December 4, 2008, Shanghai -- by Jeffrey Nichols, managing director of American Precious Metals Advisors and NicholsOnGold.com)

I remain bullish on gold because — even as the global economic recession deepens — governments will find the only way out of this mess is to print more money. In other words, to inflate.

The United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve have already thrown a few trillion dollars, more or less, into the banking system and are now also lending directly to businesses and households. And, there’s surely much more to come when the next Administration moves into Washington.

It’s not only the U.S. monetary authorities pumping up the money supply. Their counterparts in every major economy – including the United Kingdom and the Euro zone, China, Russia, Japan and on and on – are doing likewise.

We have never in the history of money seen such an expansion in its supply without, after a period of time, a rapid deterioration in its value – in other words, without a rapid increase in the overall price level. More than any other factor influencing the gold market, it is the inevitable devaluation of money and the corresponding rise in price inflation that will propel gold skyward in the next few years.

As sure as day follows night, reflationary monetary policies — however necessary — have long-term implications for global inflation. Typically, monetary creation affects price inflation with a lag of six months to a couple of years – and in the current environment, the lag could be still longer . . . so it may be some time before inflation is recognized as a serious problem. But gold prices have shorter lags and could begin moving up before rising inflation becomes apparent or worrisome.

Longer term, gold-price prospects remain as bright as ever — and I firmly believe we will see record high prices in the next few years with gold back over $1000 an ounce in the coming year.

With the right confluence of economic and geopolitical developments we should see gold break through $1500, then $2000, and possibly still higher round numbers in the next few years – particularly if we get the type of buying frenzy or mania that often occurs late in the price cycles of financial and commodity markets.

This is hardly an audacious forecast when looked at relative to the upward march in consumer prices over the past 28 years. After all, the previous high of $875 an ounce in January 1980, when adjusted for inflation since then, is today equivalent to more than $2200.

Let me end with a warning about the days and weeks ahead. In the short term, gold remains volatile and vulnerable, if only because market psychology is nervous, anxious, and fearful. In this environment, we could still get a quick sell-off that would bring us back to the recent lows. But, day by day, I think that becomes less likely and, day by day, I think the base is building for a lasting longer-term recovery.]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:00:01 -0500
(Excerpted from speech to China Gold Summit, December 4, 2008, Shanghai -- by Jeffrey Nichols, managing director of American Precious Metals Advisors and NicholsOnGold.com)

I remain bullish on gold because — even as the global economic recession deepens — governments will find the only way out of this mess is to print more money. In other words, to inflate.

The United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve have already thrown a few trillion dollars, more or less, into the banking system and are now also lending directly to businesses and households. And, there’s surely much more to come when the next Administration moves into Washington.

It’s not only the U.S. monetary authorities pumping up the money supply. Their counterparts in every major economy – including the United Kingdom and the Euro zone, China, Russia, Japan and on and on – are doing likewise.

We have never in the history of money seen such an expansion in its supply without, after a period of time, a rapid deterioration in its value – in other words, without a rapid increase in the overall price level. More than any other factor influencing the gold market, it is the inevitable devaluation of money and the corresponding rise in price inflation that will propel gold skyward in the next few years.

As sure as day follows night, reflationary monetary policies — however necessary — have long-term implications for global inflation. Typically, monetary creation affects price inflation with a lag of six months to a couple of years – and in the current environment, the lag could be still longer . . . so it may be some time before inflation is recognized as a serious problem. But gold prices have shorter lags and could begin moving up before rising inflation becomes apparent or worrisome.

Longer term, gold-price prospects remain as bright as ever — and I firmly believe we will see record high prices in the next few years with gold back over $1000 an ounce in the coming year.

With the right confluence of economic and geopolitical developments we should see gold break through $1500, then $2000, and possibly still higher round numbers in the next few years – particularly if we get the type of buying frenzy or mania that often occurs late in the price cycles of financial and commodity markets.

This is hardly an audacious forecast when looked at relative to the upward march in consumer prices over the past 28 years. After all, the previous high of $875 an ounce in January 1980, when adjusted for inflation since then, is today equivalent to more than $2200.

Let me end with a warning about the days and weeks ahead. In the short term, gold remains volatile and vulnerable, if only because market psychology is nervous, anxious, and fearful. In this environment, we could still get a quick sell-off that would bring us back to the recent lows. But, day by day, I think that becomes less likely and, day by day, I think the base is building for a lasting longer-term recovery.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/47522-google-docs-gives-it-advantage-against-microsoft-and-apple?source=feed#comment-96415 96415 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:58:12 -0400