Good Morning. Today is April 29, 2023.

This is Bullion Baron, the weekly newsletter that turbo-charges your precious metal knowledge.

Here’s what we got for you today:

1. World Tensions - China

2. COVID Part II - Sudan

3. Global Resource Scarcity

4. Big Bank Failure - Update

The Baron's Investment Forecast

Link to forecast methodology.

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China Fails as International Mediator

China learns the hard-way that acting as a global mediator isn't as easy as the US makes it look.

In a major mistake, China basically said that they don't recognize Ukraine as a sovereign nation. "These ex-USSR countries don't have actual status in international law because there is no international agreement to materialize their sovereign status..." See that story here.

China's allegiance to Russia is nothing new to historians. With the genie out of the bottle, China will be hard pressed to achieve peace in Ukraine as hoped.

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A Greater Risk than COVID.

You thought COVID was bad? Imagine a virus with twice the potency unleashed on the world population. The result is catastrophic market disruption - again.

This is a red alert. Fighters have gained control of a lab with exactly these types of deadly agents. See the story here. 

You need to watch this space and take steps to shore up your personal portfolio with secure assets. If markets are again disrupted by mandatory sheltering orders, the US is going to have a very difficult row to hoe.

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Global Resource System Shock

The Ukraine war is having devastating impacts on global supply chain. Some won't be fully realized for another 12 months. A good synopsis of the situation is the story found here.

These devastating impacts will certainly have monetary and market impact, downstream. Smart investors will continue to hedge investments utilizing a combination of safe long-term investments, like gold.

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Bank Failure Update

The Fed kept a May interest rate increase on the table, despite the looming recession. That story is here.

How did we get here? The reasons that big banks recently failed, according to BB, can be summarized as follows:

• Bank's failed to manage risk;

• Rapid interest rate hikes;

• Biden spending and the transitory interest rate;

• Continued spending extending the cycle before cooling the economy;

• Bank deregulation in 2018 (Systemically Important Banks v Regional Banks and related regulations/confidence);

• The flow of money is still going to SIBs; and

• COVID shut down (Shut down of economy).

Why is this important? There's always a risk when you give your capital to someone else, even if it's a bank. The smart money continues to diversify in hedged investments like gold.

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Do you remember when?

Every week we try to add a little fun or nostalgia into your day.

Here's what we got:

"Pepsi-Cola hits the spot,

Twelve full ounces, that's a lot,

Twice as much for a nickel, too,

Pepsi-Cola is the drink for you!"

On this day in history:

1945: WWII. United States soldiers liberated the Dachau concentration camp in Germany.

1957: Frank Sinatra wins the academy award for best supporting actor in the film, "From Here to Eternity".

1968: The Rolling Stones released their single, "Jumping' Jack Flash".

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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.