Most asset classes continued to fall this week, but each group had a bright spot – and the brightest of all was palladium, which gained 3.4%. Bitcoin continued its tumble, falling another 13.8% to close at 23.3 grams on concerns over a possible split into two currencies, Bitcoin Classic and Bitcoin Unlimited. The next largest drop was in coffee, which fell 4.5%.
Commodities were mixed this week, while major stock indexes, bonds and government-issued currencies were higher. Bitcoin, volatile as always, gave back all of the prior week's gains, falling 11.7% to 28.9 grams (though as of Tuesday the 14th, it was again above parity with gold). The largest gains were in the Euro STOXX, which rose another 3.1% to 920 mg.
The only serious declines this week were in precious metals and gold stocks. The largest gains were once again in Bitcoin, which rose 11.7% to a new all-time high of 32.7 grams, so that 1 BTC can now buy more than one ounce of gold. Gold stocks again fell more than any other asset-class, dropping 5.1% to close at 4.9 grams. The Dow Jones Industrials were headline news again, as the the Dow broke through the 21,000 mark as measured in US Dollars. More on the Dow and Bitcoin stories below.
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Stocks and government-issued currencies fell this week, while bonds and commodities were mixed. The largest gains were once again in Bitcoin, which rose 11.1% to 29.3 grams, now approaching parity with one ounce of gold. Gold stocks fell more than any other asset-class, dropping 4.7% to close at 5.1 grams.
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This week saw government-issued currencies, bonds, and major stock indexes all lower. Commodities were mixed, with precious metals higher, while food and energy were lower. The week's biggest winner was once again Bitcoin, which gained 8.1%. Gold stocks also rose, with the HUI gaining 2.0%. The largest losses were in coffee and copper, down 6.4% and 5.0% respectively.
Click through for more details and additional commentary on Bitcoin and its relationship to gold.
This week saw a trend reversal, with almost every asset class rising in value; the lone exception was palladium, which fell 3.9%. The week's biggest winner was once again Bitcoin, which gained 4.4%. Copper and coffee were also strong, rising 3.8% each.
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The last two weeks have seen a steady downtrend in government-issued currencies, bonds, and major stock indexes, along with violent swings in Bitcoin and mixed gains and losses in commodities. This week's biggest winner was Bitcoin, which gained 7.0%, mostly offsetting the prior week's 8.9% drop. Coffee was also strong, rising 1.7% on top of the prior week's 3.2% gain. The week's largest losses were in copper, which gave up 3.2% against the prior week's 4.3% gain.
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The first week of 2017 saw mixed results in every asset category, but currencies were mostly lower, while commodities were mostly higher. The week's biggest winner was palladium, which gained 8.6%. Gold stocks were also strong, rising 6.3%. Bitcoin displayed the most fireworks, shooting up to a new all-time high of 30.2 grams on Wednesday the 4th, then collapsing 21.5% to close the week down 8.1% at 23.7 grams. This drop was blamed by some on a Chinese central bank press release and by others on US speculators, but after almost doubling in the last year, a 22% pullback is hardly out of order, whatever the reason. In fact, Bitcoin could drop to the 18-20 gram level and still be above its rising trend line.
The week before Christmas was quiet for stocks, bonds, and most currencies, with few assets outside the commodities changing more than 1%. Bitcoin outpaced all other assets, gaining a whopping 17.5% for the week and closing at 25.2 grams. Palladium doubled down on the prior week's drop, losing another 4.9%, clinching the "weakest asset class" title. Gold stocks performed better than any of the major stock indexes, gaining 2.3%, still a distant second place behind Bitcoin.
This was a good week for stocks, but mixed for bonds and commodities. The big winner was the Euro STOXX, which gained 6.3% this week on news that the European Central Bank will be extending its low interest rate policy and expanding its quantitative easing programs. US stocks also rallied on the news. Coffee dropped again this week, falling a further 3.6%, the largest loss of any asset class.
For more on currencies, stock markets, bonds and commodities, and for a look back at results for the last year, check out the whole article!
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