France hit by rising borrowing costs

From: Euronews  | Nov 17, 2011

US banks 'at risk from euro crisis'

From: Euronews  | Nov 17, 2011

Central Bank Gold Buying at 40-year High

Originally published at GATA.org

Central Bank Gold Buying at 40-year High

By Jack Farchy
Financial Times, London
Thursday, November 17, 2011

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c0025500-10ef-11e1-a95c-00144feabdc0.html

Central banks made their largest purchases of gold in decades in the third quarter, as a sharp drop in prices in September accelerated the shift to bullion as a means of diversification.

The scale of the buying, at 148.4 tonnes on a net basis, was far bigger than previously disclosed, surprising some traders.

The data were published in a quarterly report by the World Gold Council, a lobby group for the gold industry, on Thursday.

The WGC declined to identify of the central banks behind the majority of the buying citing "confidentiality restrictions," saying only that "a slew of new entrants emerged wishing to bolster gold holdings."

Central banks are one of the most important drivers of the gold market but few disclose details about the changes in their bullion reserves.

Central banks became net buyers of gold last year after two decades of heavy selling -- a reversal that has helped propel the price of bullion to a high of $1,920.30 a troy ounce, up 600 per cent in a decade.

Precious metals fall in New York trading

Of course this price drop would have nothing to do with certain entities smacking down the price prior to COMEX options expiration on the 22nd. Nothing for the CFTC see here, move on.

By CHRISTOPHER LEONARD, AP Business Writer

Metals prices fell sharply Thursday on fears that Europe's spreading financial crisis will slow the fragile U.S economic recovery.

Traders were worried that a spiraling financial crisis in Italy, Spain and France could hurt U.S. banks. If that happens, it could slow growth and cut demand for industrial metals like copper and palladium. It would also slow inflation, which undermines demand for precious metals like gold and silver.

December palladium fell nearly 8 percent Thursday to close at $603.70 an ounce. January platinum fell 3 percent, to $1,581.10 an ounce. Copper for December delivery dropped 3 percent to close at $3.3825 per pound.

Gold for December delivery lost 3 percent, to settle at $1,720.20 per ounce. December silver fell nearly 7 percent to close at $31.497 an ounce

Traders began selling metals after Fitch Ratings warned late Wednesday that large U.S. banks could be hit hard if Europe's debt crisis spreads. If that happens, it could the fragile U.S. economic recovery.

A weak economic recovery would mean that inflation won't be very severe. That undermines demand for gold, said George Gero, vice president at RBC Global Futures in New York. Traders buy gold as a way to hedge against a weaker dollar.

Slow economic growth also cuts demand for industrial metals like copper and palladium, which are used as raw materials in the world's factories.

On Thursday, traders moved money into cash and other safe investments. Kitco Metals Inc. analyst Jon Nadler summarized the bleak mood in note to clients:

"Sell everything. Run to cash. Hide. Take cover," he wrote.  (Tears: Well he would, wouldn't he)

Read in full

Weekend Chillout - The Special Relationship Edition

With Barry in the country this week all eyes turned to his "special relationship" with Julia.

It seems that the 26 hours Barry spent in Australia must have been very special as he has promised to inject loads of US seamen into Australia on a regular basis for years to come. An African bloke and Welsh gal haven't been this close since Rorkes Drift.

This has lead to a love triangle tiff as China had been hoping to inject their seamen into SEA and Australia in the coming years. Oh well all is fair in love and war.

 

New protests in Rome

So much for the Hope & Change in Greece and Italy......

 

From: RussiaToday  | Nov 17, 2011  

 

In Italy, students clashed with police when thousands of people marched in protest against budget cuts and a lack of jobs. It followed new Prime Minister Mario Monti's maiden speech in parliament, where he pledged to push through austerity measures, which will mean huge sacrifices for ordinary people. The cracks are widening elsewhere in the Eurozone, with a fresh blow from one of its strongest members.

Clashes, firebombs as thousands march in Athens

From: RussiaToday  | Nov 17, 2011

 

Thousands of protesters on Thursday took part in an annual demonstration in the capital Athens to commemorate 1973 crackdown on a student uprising by the military dictatorship that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974. Some 7,000 police - about one for every demonstrator - were monitoring the protest, which comes at the height of a vicious financial crisis that has seen many violent demonstrations.

Keiser Report: In Debt We Trust

From: RussiaToday  | Nov 17, 2011 

 

This week Max Keiser and co-host, Stacy Herbert, discuss simple thieves and honest graft. In the second half of the show, Max Keiser interviews Mike 'Mish' Shedlock about the European debt crisis and the MF Global missing funds crisis.