https://www.equedia.com/technological-revolution-microsoft-hololens-switzerland-exposes-chinas-secret/?utm_source=January+25%2c+2015&utm_campaign=January+25%2c+2015&utm_medium=email
Will Gold Hold Up?
Gold held strong this week with the help of the ECB QE.
Last week, I said there were a staggering number of gold companies experiencing a bearish-to-bullish reversal in their charts:
"While the last few years have been dead for the gold mining sector, it may be about to change."
This week, in a flurry of big money transactions, the sector showed exactly that: Romarco Minerals Inc., Detour Gold Corp., Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd., Primero Mining Corp., Asanko Gold Inc., and Richmont Mines Corp., collectively raised a whopping $789.8 million.
On the M&A front, Goldcorp agreed on a C$526 million (US$440 million) all-shares offer to buy Probe Mines Ltd.
There are really only two scenarios as to why this much money flowed into gold stocks this past week:
1. Bankers are rushing to get their commissions, while money still exists in this space
or
2. The negative aura surrounding gold stocks is finally turning positive
I've been bearish for the most part of the last year on gold stocks, but there really does seem to be a glimmer of hope in this space as we approach spring.
Historically, gold stocks often do well leading up to the PDAC Convention in March, before correcting after. But this year, there's a feeling that the momentum for gold stocks - although small - may last beyond the PDAC.
Why?
Switzerland Exposes China's Secret Gold Data
There are many things forcing countries around the world into a gold grab.
Last year, I talked about how China has been initiating currency swaps with many countries around the world, including the euro:
"...The euro will become the sixth major currency to be exchangeable directly for Yuan in Shanghai, joining the U.S., Australian and New Zealand dollars, the British pound and the Japanese yen."
Then last week, I talked about how the Swiss screwed the ECB by removing its currency peg, and that more was to follow:
"It was only a matter of time before one of the world's most stable currencies decided it had enough of tying itself down to Fed dollars.
Last week, Switzerland and its central bank decided to end its three-year currency peg to the weakening euro. The result was nothing short of stunning: the franc appreciated a whopping 21 percent against the euro this week in New York, jumping as high as 41 percent - the strongest jump since the euro's debut in 1999.
This marks the first major economy to leave the battle of our current international currency war."
This week, shortly after removing the franc-dollar peg, Switzerland's central bank signed an agreement with China to make Zurich the newest hub for trading the renminbi currency (RMB).
Now consider this: Switzerland's biggest export is gold, accounting for nearly a third of all foreign trade. It is also is one of the world's biggest centers for refining gold.
Why is this important?
If the Swiss is one of the biggest gold refiners in the world, surely they would have a lot of information on where gold is leaving, and where its going.
Last year, for the first time since 1981, the Swiss let us in on a little secret: Gold is leaving the West, and almost all of it is heading East.
Via Swiss Info:
"Switzerland exports its gold mainly to Asian countries, according to data on precious metal trade released Thursday by the Federal Customs Administration. Exports were broken down by country for the first time in 30 years.
The Asian market, including countries such as Hong Kong, India and Singapore, was the primary purchaser of Swiss gold and silver bullion and coins in January 2014, according to the customs administration.
The top five purchasers were all countries in Asia, and made up more than 80% of the total worth of CHF6.9 billion ($7.8 billion).
...Gold trade is of great importance to Switzerland - it accounts for about a third of total foreign trade. Up until now, little was known about Switzerland's trading partners. In response to a request by parliamentarian Cédric Wermuth of the Social Democratic Party, the customs administration released details on its gold trade for the first time since 1981."
A few months ago, this data was finally released. Yet, not one media outlet has talked about it.
So let me be the first to break it down for you:
According to the Swiss Customs Administration, from Jan-Nov 2014, the Swiss exported (net) 188,125.62 kg, or 188 tonnes, of gold to China, and exported (net) 324,902 kg, or 324 tonnes, to Hong Kong.
And since, as I mentioned last week, gold imports from Hong Kong to China continue to reach new highs, one can only imagine how much gold China is actually accumulating.
Furthermore, neighbouring countries with close ties to China, such as Singapore and Malaysia, continue to be net importers of gold from the Swiss.
Australia has also sent record amounts of gold to China over the past few years, with China accumulating 66% of Australia's 2013 gold mine production.
Let's also not forget that in November, UK gold export to China was 30 tonnes, up 186 % month-over-month, an all time record. Aggregated net gold export (January 2014 - November 2014) to China was 105 tonnes, according to Eurostat.
The West, on the other hand, was a net exporter of gold to the Swiss in 2014. Between Jan-Nov 2014, the U.S. exported (net) 190,050 kg, or 190 tonnes of gold to Switzerland, while the UK exported (net) 578,378 kg, or 578 tonnes.
Imagine if the Swiss were to publish everything prior to 2014? While we may never find out, it's clear that the Swiss' knowledge of gold inflows and outflows was instrumental in making the decision to remove itself from the euro peg, and create a Zurich-based trading hub for China's currency.
There's going to come a time when China will announce its central bank gold reserves to the world. And - unlike the Fed - won't hesitate to show it to the world.
Looking Forward
With that being said, I am looking to slowly add new junior gold stocks to my portfolio. If you feel there is a stock that I should be covering, let me know.
You can do this by simply replying to this email with the subject line: "gold stocks."