National currencies and bonds rallied, but other asset classes were mixed. Palladium was the best performer for the second straight week, rising 13.3%. Bitcoin was in second place, gaining 6.5%. Silver, down 4.9%, and gold miners, off 3.7%, fell the most.

The US Dollar was the strongest national currency, closing up 2.8%. The Canadian Dollar was the weakest, up just 0.9%. USD cash outperformed treasury notes and bonds, which rose 2.5% and 2.4% respectively.

Bitcoin dropped to a low of 592.9 grams on Saturday but reversed course and rallied for the rest of the week, finishing at 657.2 grams, up 6.5%. Ethereum was also in the green, up 2.3%, but the broader 30 crypto index closed down 0.9%.

US stocks were the best performing equities, as the Dow Industrials rose 4.1% and the S&P 500 gained 3.6%. Gold stocks, down 3.7%, and the Japanese Nikkei, off 1.6%, were the worst performers.

The strongest commodities were platinum, up 13.3%, and cotton, up 5.3%. The metals were mixed; while platinum was sharply higher, silver was the weakest commodity, falling 4.9%, and was joined by copper and platinum, down 1.6% and 1.5% respectively. Crude oil posted a 2.7% gain.

Year over year, crypto is fading but Ethereum still rules the roost with a gain of 109.5%. Coffee is in second place, up 97.2%, and crude oil comes in third, finishing up 72.0%. The largest losses are in gold stocks, down 12.5%, and the Nikkei index, off 11.0%. Silver was down 7.5%.

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Gold stocks and cryptocurrencies moved higher; national currencies, bonds, and major stock indexes fell, while commodities were mixed. The broad 30 crypto index was the best performer, rising 3.9%, followed by crude oil, up 3.7%. Palladium fell the most, dropping 3.4%, followed by the Dow Industrials, off 2.5%.

The US Dollar and Chinese Yuan were the weakest national currencies, falling 1.7% and 1.5% respectively. The Japanese Yen outperformed its peers, closing down just 0.1%. Short term notes and long term bonds underperformed USD cash, dropping 1.8% each.

Cryptos recovered a bit this week, led by the CCi30 index, up 3.9%. Bitcoin rallied 2.0% and Ether gained 1.9%. Some smaller cryptos posted sizzling returns; for instance, Monero (XMR) was up 15.9%.

Although gold stocks rose 1.7%, all the major stock indexes fell, led by the Dow Jones Industrial Average which closed down 2.5%, and the S&P 500, which dropped 2.0%. Like the Yen, the Nikkei index outperformed its peers, sliding only 1.3%.

Commodities were a very mixed bag, with crude oil rising 3.7% while palladium fell 3.4%. Cotton rose 2.2%, but coffee fell 1.2%. And among the metals, silver gained 2.1% while copper fell 1.0%.

Looking back over 2021, cryptocurrencies were the stand-out winners, while precious metals and gold mining stocks were the biggest losers.

Ethereum started the year at its lows, about 12 grams, and rose to an all-time high of 82.1 grams on Nov 11th, before pulling back to finish the year at 63.4 grams, up 412%. Bitcoin followed a similar pattern, but peaked a few weeks earlier at 1154.4 grams, and fell farther, to close at 797.6 grams, up 66.9%. Bitcoin's overall volatility seems to be decreasing as more institutional money enters the space. Ether has been driven higher by a series of new use cases, including decentralized finance and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) representing art, collectables, intellectual property, real estate, and securities.

National currencies were mixed, with the Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan being the best performers, up 5.4% and 5.1% respectively. The Japanese Yen was the weakest currency overall, dropping 6.3%. Bonds were mixed, with short term notes rising 3.8%, but underperforming USD cash. Long term bonds finished the year down 0.3%.

The large cap stock indexes were all in the green, led by the S&P 500, up 32.6%, and the DJIA, up 24.1%. The Japanese Nikkei was weakest, gaining just 1.3%.

Gold stocks and precious metals were the year's worst performers. Palladium fell 11.9%, the HUI gold mining index dropped 9.7%, and silver closed off 8.9% for the year. Other commodities did much better: coffee soared 84.3%, crude oil gained 62.0%, and cotton rose 50.7%. Even copper turned in a respectable 32.5% gain.

It will be interesting to see if the precious metals complex can regain traction, and if stocks, commodities, and cryptos can keep up their excellent returns in 2022. Wishing you the best of luck with your investments for the coming year!

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Stocks and crypto currencies rallied, while bonds fell. National currencies and commodities were mixed, but mostly higher. The CCi30 crypto index rose the most, gaining 13.0%. Coffee and long term bonds were the biggest losers, falling 1.9% and 1.5% respectively.

The Euro was this week's strongest national currency, up 0.6%, followed by the Canadian Dollar, up 0.4%. The Japanese Yen, down 0.5%, was weakest. The USD rose 0.1%, but bonds underperformed cash; long term bonds dropped 1.5%, while short term notes declined 0.1%.

Cryptocurrencies were the week's best performers. The broad 30 crypto index gained 13.0%. Bitcoin rose 10.2%, but still remains below the 1 kg level, at 875.7 grams.

Stocks were all in the green, led by gold stocks, up 2.6%, and the Euro STOXX, up 2.4%. The Japanese Nikkei was the weakest index, up 0.8%. The Dow Industrials rose 1.7% while the S&P 500 added 2.3%.

The only declining commodity was coffee, down 1.9%. Palladium was the best performer, rising 6.4% and closing back above parity with gold at 32.6 grams. Crude oil was the next strongest, rising 4.3%. Platinum also was strong, gaining 4.0%. Silver was little changed, up 0.2% at 0.391 grams per ounce.

Year over year, cryptocurrencies are still outperforming all other assets, with Ether up 620% and the 30 crypto index up 249%. Outside of crypto, coffee, up 90.7%, and crude oil, up 58.9%, are the best performers. Palladium has the worst track record, losing 15.7% of it's value, followed by gold stocks, which are down 11.1%. Next week we will look more in depth at the overall results from 2021.

Happy Holidays!

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National and crypto currencies moved lower, while bonds rose. Stocks and commodities were mixed, but mostly lower. Bitcoin fell the most, dropping 3.7%. Gold stocks and silver bullion were the biggest winners, rising 2.3% and 1.8% respectively.

All national currencies fell, but the Canadian Dollar fell the most, dropping 2.4%. The Chinese Yuan and US Dollar fared best, declining 1.4% and 1.5%. Bonds moved higher, with gains of 1.4% for long bonds and 0.1% for short term notes.

Cryptocurrencies continued to slide, although at a slower rate than last week. On Monday the 12th, Bitcoin hit a high of 875 grams before working to lower to close the week at 795 grams, down 3.7%. The broader index of 30 cryptos dropped 2.6%.

Stocks were mostly lower, but gold stocks bucked the trend, closing up 2.3%, making them the week's best performing asset. The Euro STOXX index underperformed its peers, falling 2.2%. The Dow Industrials closed down 1.7%.

The only rising commodity was silver, with a gain of 1.8%. The weakest commodities were Crude oil, down 2.7%, and platinum, off 2.6%. Coffee turned in a relatively strong performance, giving up ust 0.2%.

Year over year, cryptocurrencies continue to dominate, with Ethereum up 524.7% and the 30 crypto index up 197.6%. The next best category is commodities, with coffee up 94.9% and crude oil up 53.3%. The year's worst losses are in palladium, down 20.0%, and gold stocks, down 15.7%.

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Commodities and equities were mixed, while national currencies, cryptos, and bonds all were in the green. Ethereum, up 6.7%, and the 30 crypto index (up 5.6%) had the largest gains, followed by long term bonds, which rose 4.6%. Cotton, down 4.5%, and silver, off 3.6%, had the largest losses.

National currencies were all higher, led by the US and Canadian Dollars, up 1.9% apiece. The Chinese Yuan lagged, but still posted a healthy 1.4% gain. Short term notes underperformed cash, rising 1.8%, but long term bonds soared 4.6%.

Bitcoin was the weakest crypto currency, gaining 1.9%, and remaining below the 1 kg level. Ether was the leader, rising 6.7%. The broad CCi30 rose 5.6%.

Stocks were mixed, with the Euro STOXX index gaining 1.5%, while gold mining stocks fell 2.1%. The only other falling index was the Nikkei, which closed down 0.7%.

Commodities were very mixed, as palladium rose 2.7%, but cotton fell 4.5%. Silver also took a beating, dropping 3.6%. Copper added 1.5% while crude oil closed down 0.9%.

Year over year, crpytos are still the leaders, with ETH up 627.4% and the broad CCi30 up 272.4%. Outside of crypto, coffee, up 110.7%, and cotton, up 59.3% are the best performers. Palladium, down 21.7%, and gold stocks, off 13.3% had the largest losses.

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National currencies and bonds moved lower, but other asset classes were mixed. Gold stocks, up 2.1%, had the largest increase, while crude oil, down 4.2%, and Bitcoin, off 3.6%, had the largest declines.

The Chinese Yuan, off 0.1% was the strongest national currency, while the Euro, down 3.0%, was the weakest. The US Dollar dropped 1.8%. Short term treasury notes did slightly better, falling 1.6%. Long term bonds outperformed, closing down 0.6%.

The broad crypto market as measured by the CCi30 index advanced 1.1%, while Bitcoin consolidated between it's recent high and the 1 kg level, finishing at 1,055.2 grams, off 3.6%. Ethereum made a new all-time-high of 81.3 grams on Wednesday, then pulled back to close the week down 0.2%.

Stock markets had a good week, with only the Dow Industrials closing lower by 0.4%. Gold stocks took the lead, rising 2.1%, while the the Japanese Nikkei gained 1.1%.

Commodities were mixed, but most of the action was to the downside. Crude oil fell 4.2%, the largest drop of any asset in the table. Silver close down 2.6%, and copper closed off 2.4%. Palladium rose 0.9%, and platinum was little changed.

Year over year, the table is mostly green. Cryptos have been the best performing asset class, led by Ether, up 1,076.5%, and the CCi30, up 513.4%. Crude oil is up 126.1% and coffee has risen 107.3%. The worst declines have been in gold stocks, down 19.4%, and palladium, off 9.3%.

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Reversing colors again, this week is mostly in the green. Ethereum made the largest gains, rising 13.7% to a new all-time high of 77.6 grams. Cotton also did very well, adding 8.4%. The weakest assets were platinum, down 2.9%, and gold stocks, off 2.1%.

The only declining national currency was the Chinese Yuan, down 0.3%. The US Dollar showed the most strength, gaining 2.2%. Short term notes followed suit, also gaining 2.2%, while long term bonds outperformed, rising 4.7%.

Cryptos were very strong, especially Ethereum, which rose 13.7% to a new all-time high of 77.6 grams. The broader crypto market followed; the CCI30 index added 6.4% and Bitcoin advanced 4.8% to just shy of 1.1 kg, hovering about 5% below its all-time high.

Stocks had a deceptively good week, with the DJIA and S&P 500 making new all-time highs in US Dollar terms. Priced in gold, only the HUI gold stocks were in the red, falling 2.1%, and the S&P 500 rose 3.6% to a 15 year high… but that's still 53% below its all-time high of 173.1 grams set in July of 1999. The DJIA gained 2.6% to close at 629.7 grams, but failed to surpass its August high of 636.5 grams, and sits 55% below its 1999 all-time high of 1,393.2 grams.

The commodity sector was mixed, with cotton rising 8.4% and platinum falling 2.9%. Copper declined 0.7% while silver gained 0.9%. Coffee rose 4.3% and crude oil finished 2.0% higher.

Year over year, only four assets are in the red: gold stocks, down 14.6%, palladium, down 5.5%, the Japanese Yen, off 2.9%, and long term treasury bonds, off 0.6%. The biggest winners are, of course, cryptos. Ether beat all other assets, climbing 1,100.6% to a new all-time high, and the broader 30 crypto index gained 502.3%. Outside of cryptos, the best gains are in crude oil, up 144.3%, and coffee, up 106.1%. The best performing stock index is the Euro STOXX, which gained 49.8%.

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In a reversal of last week's "mostly green" theme, this week is mostly red; only silver (up 2.5%), the Chinese Yuan (up 0.9%), and Ethereum (up 0.8%) finished higher. Palladium and copper fell the most, dropping 6.9% and 6.8% respectively. Bitcoin pulled back 3.4% after making new all-time highs, but remained above the 1.0 kg level.

The Chinese Yuan was the strongest (and only rising) national currency, adding 0.9%. The US Dollar was the weakest, dropping 2.0%. Treasury bonds did even worse, as short term notes declined 2.1% and long term bonds fell 2.6%.

Cryptocurrencies had a wild ride. Bitcoin rose to a new all-time high of 1,154 grams before pulling back to close at 1,044 grams, off 3.8%. Ether also made a new all-time high of 72.7 grams, but closed the week with only a small gain, up 0.8%.

Stocks were all in the red, with the Nikkei 225 taking the largest hit (down 2.5%). Gold stocks held up the best, giving up just 0.3%. The Dow Industrials and the S&P 500 dropped 0.9% and 0.4% respectively.

Silver was the best performing asset this week, rising 2.5%, but the rest of the commodity complex was in the red. Hardest hit were palladium (down 6.9%) and copper (down 6.8%). Crude oil declined 0.2%.

Year over year, most assets are in the green, led by the crypto space. ETH is up 977.2%, and the broader 30 crypto index is up 454.7%. Outside of crypto, the best performers are crude oil, up 116.7% and coffee, up 96.9%. Gold stocks show the largest loss, falling 16.2%. Palladium is 10.3% lower. The only other assets in the red are the JPY, down 3.0% and long term bonds, off 2.2%.

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Cryptocurrencies rose and bonds fell; national currencies and stocks were mixed but mostly lower, while commodities were mixed but mostly higher. Bitcoin, up 11.1%, and Ether, up 6.8%, made the largest gains. The largest losses were in long term bonds, down 3.3%, and coffee, off 2.2%.

I'm moving this week… Some commentary may be missing or minimal!

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Stocks and bonds fell, cryptocurrencies rose, and national currencies and commodities were mixed. Ether, up 12.2%, and Bitcoin, up 11.7%, made the largest gains. The largest losses were in the Nikkei, down 5.4%, the Euro STOXX, down 4.1%, and silver, off 3.1%.

The Chinese Yuan was the only rising national currency, gaining 0.3%. The Euro took the worst beating, falling 1.6%. The US Dollar dropped 0.6%; short term treasuries outperformed cash, falling 0.5%, but long term bonds did much worse, retreating 1.6%.

Cryptocurrencies were all in the green, led by Ether, which rose 12.2%. Bitcoin did nearly as well, moving up 11.7%, while the broader 30 crypto index added 9.4%.

Equity markets all moved lower. The Japanese Nikkei index took the largest hit, falling 5.4%, followed by the European STOXX, which dropped 4.1%. Gold stocks outperformed, giving up 1.5%. In the US, the Dow declined 1.9% while the S&P 500 fell 2.8%.

Commodities were mixed, with metals down and soft goods and energy up. Cotton rose 8.3% and coffee added 4.4%, while silver fell 3.1% and copper lost 2.8%. Crude oil closed up 2.0%.

Year over year, most assets are in the green. The exceptions are gold stocks, down 24.9%, palladium, down 11.4%, and long term treasuries, off 2.3%. Cryptos are still the best performers, as ether has risen 886.6% and the broad 30 crypto index is up 449.6%. Outside of crypto, crude oil, up 112.1%, and coffee, up 106.3% are the largest winners. The S&P 500 is the best performiong stock index, gaining 39.5%.

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