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Adrian Day: US$2,500 Gold? Pullback Would be “Healthy,” Reasons to Buy Remain

Investing

The gold price has seen ups and downs since the US election.

The yellow metal took a hit directly after Donald Trump’s victory, falling to the US$2,550 per ounce level. But then it staged a quick recovery, passing US$2,700. It’s now pulled back again, currently at around US$2,650.

In his view, a fall to US$2,500 wouldn’t be surprising in that scenario.

‘But I would say to anyone — certainly if they’re not invested in gold — don’t wait for that. The key is that the reasons to buy gold have not changed, and we still need gold for a lot of reasons,’ Day said.

‘Gold is not a political metal. Gold to me is the anti-fiat metal, if you want,’ he explained.

‘And obviously a strong dollar — strong against other currencies — is negative for gold. But you can have a strong dollar and still be losing purchasing power. The dollar’s lost 22 percent of its purchasing power in the last four years — that’s by the government’s own numbers. So that in itself tells you … you need it. You need gold,’ Day added.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Economy

Stock Futures Lower after S&P 500 futures ticked down 0.18%

Economy

Stock futures are trading slightly lower Monday morning as investors gear up for the final month of 2024. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.18%, alongside declines in Dow Jones Industrial Average futures and Nasdaq 100 futures, which dropped 0.13% and 0.17%, respectively. The market’s focus is shifting to upcoming economic data, particularly reports on manufacturing and construction spending, ahead of this week’s key labor data releases.

November was a standout month for equities, with the S&P 500 futures rallying to reflect the index’s best monthly performance of the year. Both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved all-time highs during Friday’s shortened trading session, with the Dow briefly surpassing 45,000. Small-cap stocks also saw robust gains, with the Russell 2000 index surging over 10% in November, buoyed by optimism around potential tax cuts.

As trading kicks off in December, investors are keeping a close eye on geopolitical developments in Europe, where France’s CAC 40 index dropped 0.77% amid political concerns, while Germany’s DAX and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 showed smaller declines.

S&P 500 futures will likely continue to act as a key barometer for market sentiment, particularly as traders assess the impact of upcoming economic data and global market developments.

S&P 500 Index Chart Analysis

This 15-minute chart of the S&P 500 Index shows a recent trend where the index attempted to break above the resistance level near 6,044.17 but retraced slightly to close at 6,032.39, reflecting a minor decline of 0.03% in the session. The candlestick pattern indicates some indecisiveness after a steady upward momentum seen earlier in the day.

On the RSI (Relative Strength Index) indicator, the value sits at 62.07, having declined from the overbought zone above 70 earlier. This suggests that the bullish momentum might be cooling off, and traders could anticipate a short-term consolidation or slight pullback. However, with RSI above 50, the overall trend remains positive, favoring buyers.

The index’s recent low of 5,944.36 marks a key support level, while the high at 6,044.17 could act as resistance. If the price sustains above the 6,020 level and RSI stabilizes without breaking below 50, the index could attempt another rally. Conversely, a drop below 6,020 could indicate a bearish shift.

In conclusion, the index displays potential for continued gains, but traders should watch RSI levels and price action near the support and resistance zones for confirmation.

The post Stock Futures Lower after S&P 500 futures ticked down 0.18% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

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Economy

S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.7%

Economy

Stock futures climbed on Wednesday, driven by strong performances from Salesforce and Marvell Technology, following upbeat quarterly earnings. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 215 points (0.5%), while S&P 500 futures gained 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures advanced by 0.7%.

Salesforce surged 12% after reporting fiscal third-quarter revenue that exceeded expectations, showcasing robust demand in the enterprise software sector. Meanwhile, chipmaker Marvell jumped 14% after surpassing earnings estimates and providing optimistic fourth-quarter guidance, indicating resilience in the semiconductor industry.

This movement follows a mixed session on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed with small gains, while the Dow dipped slightly. The broader market has experienced a modest start to December, contrasting with November’s robust rally, but analysts anticipate a resurgence in momentum. LPL Financial’s George Smith pointed out that December historically sees strong market performance, particularly in the latter half of the month.

However, economic data introduced some caution. ADP’s report revealed that private payrolls grew by just 146,000 in November, missing estimates of 163,000. This signals potential softness in the labor market, with investors now awaiting Friday’s November jobs report for further clarity.

S&P 500 Index Chart Analysis

Based on the provided stock chart, which appears to be a 15-minute candlestick chart for the S&P 500 Index, here’s a brief analysis:

The chart shows a clear upward trend, with higher highs and higher lows indicating bullish momentum over the analyzed period. The index has steadily climbed from a low of approximately 5,855 to a recent high of 6,053.58, suggesting strong buying interest.

Key resistance is observed near 6,050-6,053 levels, as the price has struggled to break above this zone in the most recent sessions. If the index breaches this level with strong volume, it could lead to further upward movement. Conversely, failure to break out may lead to a pullback, with potential support around the 6,000 psychological level and 5,980, where consolidation occurred previously.

The candlestick patterns show relatively small wicks, indicating limited volatility, which could imply steady market confidence. However, the bullish rally could be overextended, warranting caution for traders, especially if any negative catalysts emerge.

In summary, the short-term trend is bullish, but traders should monitor resistance levels and volume for signs of a breakout or reversal. It’s also essential to watch broader market factors, as indices are often influenced by macroeconomic data and sentiment.

The post S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.7% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

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Stocks

Get Ahead of 2025 Stock Trends!

Stocks

In this exclusive StockCharts video, Joe uses long-term views of the S&P 500 to explain how the market is positioned as we move into 2025. He uses Yearly and Quarterly Candles and describes why there is a risk of a pullback next year, and he also covers the recent strength in some of the Mag7 stocks. He presents some attractive new emerging base breakouts that are developing, and then goes through the symbol requests that came through this week, including DKNG, SONY, and more.

This video was originally published on December 4, 2024. Click this link to watch on StockCharts TV.

Archived videos from Joe are available at this link. Send symbol requests to stocktalk@stockcharts.com; you can also submit a request in the comments section below the video on YouTube. Symbol Requests can be sent in throughout the week prior to the next show.

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Stocks

Leverage Salesforce.com’s Growth: A Guide to Smart Options Trading

Stocks

When it comes to the stock market, each day is unique. As a result, it’s easy to get distracted and look from one area to another based on whims, which can leave you confused and unable to make any decisions — thus putting you in the dreaded state of analysis paralysis. And while going down that rabbit hole, you’d have missed out on several investing opportunities such as the one identified in this article—Salesforce.com, Inc. (CRM).

Start With a Big Picture View

Here’s an example of how you can view the big picture of the stock market and narrow down your choices to one or two stocks or exchange traded funds (ETFs) to add to your portfolio.

When the stock market opens, a quick sweep of the Market Summary page gives you an idea of which areas of the market are up or down. On Wednesday, technology stocks were trading higher, as were precious metals and cryptocurrencies. Volatility was still low, and several market breadth indicators suggest that breadth is expanding. Overall, investor sentiment was bullish.

Identify the Leading Sector

Given that technology stocks were the leaders on Wednesday morning, I viewed the daily chart of the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). Sure enough, XLK gapped up and was at an all-time high.

FIGURE 1: DAILY CHART OF TECHNOLOGY SELECT SECTOR SPDR ETF (XLK) A series of higher highs and trading higher than the November 7 close indicates that this sector is trending upward.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Since its August low, XLK has been trending higher with a series of higher lows and higher highs. It has also surpassed its November 7 close of 234.86. Digging deeper into Technology sector using the Sector Summary tool, it was clear that the main reason for the gap up in XLK was due to the earnings report from Salesforce.com after Tuesday’s close.

How to Trade CRM Using Options

The daily CRM chart below shows that the stock had its ups and downs. However, since November 7, when the StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) score crossed above 70 (top panel), CRM’s stock price has been trending higher, although in a volatile fashion.

FIGURE 2. DAILY CHART OF SALESFORCE STOCK (CRM). The stock is trending higher and is above its 21-day exponential moving average, the SCTR score is at 94.4, and the RSI has crossed above 70.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

CRM’s stock price has held on to the support of its 21-day exponential moving average. The relative strength index (RSI) has also crossed above 70, indicating the stock is gaining strength. Overall, the stock looks like a potential buy, but with the stock trading at around $360, it’s a little steep to own a significant number of shares.

An alternative is to trade options on CRM. Using the OptionsStrategy tool, I identified an optimal options strategy. Give it a try using the following steps:

  • Below the chart of CRM, in the left menu bar, select Options (under Tools & Resources).
  • Click the OptionsPlay button that’s above the options chain table.
  • Since my bias is bullish, I look for strategies that fall under the bullish category.

In the screengrab below, you can see the difference in the cost of buying 100 shares of CRM vs. buying the call vertical spread. Both have a bullish OptionsPlay score, but the vertical spread costs much less. Let’s explore putting on a call vertical spread in CRM. A call vertical spread is when you buy and sell two call options that have the same expiration date and different strike prices.

FIGURE 3. OPTIMAL OPTIONS STRATEGIES FOR CRM. The call vertical spread presents the better risk/reward tradeoff. Plus you’d end up paying less than purchasing 100 shares of CRM.Image source: OptionsPlay Strategy Center in StockCharts.com.

Click the icon at the top right of the call spread card (expand button). This shows more trade details, such as the target price, expected profit, and expected return. The Strategy & Greeks tab explains the strategy.

FIGURE 4. STRATEGY DETAILS OF THE CALL VERTICAL SPREAD. Here, you see the max reward, max risk probability of profit, and other details. The Strategy & Greeks tab provides a summary of the strategy.Image source: OptionsPlay Strategy Center in StockCharts.com.

If you’re going to place the trade, it helps to take screenshots of these different tabs, so you know when you’ve hit your max profit.

Putting On an Options Position

All this looks favorable, so I’ll click the Trade button, copy the trade to my broker’s platform, and wait patiently for the next 44 days. In the meantime, I have my trade details saved so if I reach my expected profit, I’ll close the position.

You can’t expect things to work out as expected. Things change, and if the trade goes south, I’ll have to decide whether to roll the position to a future date or take the loss.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

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Investing

Drilling Planned for Resource Expansion at Whundo Copper Project

Investing

GreenTech Metals Ltd (ASX: GRE) (GreenTech or the Company) is pleased to announce a second stage drill program at the Whundo Cu-Zn project in the West Pilbara region, which is anticipated to commence in the coming weeks.

Highlights

  • GreenTech has finalised plans for the second stage drill program comprising up to 4,000m of diamond core drilling at its 100% owned Whundo Cu-Zn project in the West Pilbara
  • The stage 2 program aims to confirm potential for significant resource expansion at the Whundo cluster of VMS style Cu-Zn deposits
  • Drilling will focus on extending the under-explored mineralised shoots at Austin, Shelby, Yannery and Ayshia
  • Drilling to be followed by downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys aimed at identifying further extensions to the Cu-Zn mineralised shoots
  • Identified DHEM conductor targets associated with the known mineralised shoots present potential to significantly increase existing Cu-Zn resources
  • Drilling contractor Topdrill has been engaged to commence in the coming weeks
  • Drilling is funded by recently completed $2.3M placement, $1M drill for equity agreement with Topdrill and an EIS grant of up to $140,000 from the WA Government1

GreenTech’s Executive Director, Tom Reddicliffe, commented: “Following hot on the heels of a successful first stage of drilling, this next campaign will get underway this year to further test potential extensions to the mineralised shoots comprising the Whundo VMS cluster. In particular, we eagerly await the outcome of testing the exceptional Shelby conductor which eclipses other targets in the field with respect to its scale. This target is a clear standout and will be a priority to be drilled. Given the nature of VMS clusters, and the multiple opportunities for resource growth we believe a project with around 10-15Mt would make a significant difference to the economics of the Whundo Copper project and represents a potentially achievable target for exploration going forward.” 

The program aims to confirm potential for significant resource expansion at the Whundo cluster of VMS style Cu-Zn deposits and is a follow-up to the successful first program of 1,710m completed in July 2024.

This second drill campaign will comprise up to 4,000m of diamond core drilling, with follow- up downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys planned for selected holes. The results of the DHEM surveys will assist in the planning of follow-up drill holes which may be drilled as part of this program.

Whundo VMS Field

The Whundo Project comprises six known mineralised Cu-Zn shoots, typically plunging to the north at 30 – 40 degrees. These mineralised shoots, known as Whundo East, Whundo West, Austin, Shelby, Yannery and Ayshia, occur within a defined generally northeast trending zone over a strike of 2km. A further combined 2km of this prospective zone remains open to both the west and the east of the known mineralisation within the tenement. The close spatial relationship between the known mineralised shoots with respect to plunge and thickness of mineralisation suggest these are potentially part of a large VMS type mineralising event which remains open along strike and at depth.

Click here for the full ASX Release

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

How to Invest in Platinum Stocks

Investing

Platinum is the third most traded precious metal in the world after gold and silver, and investment demand is growing.

It is also an industrial metal that is widely used in a variety of sectors. The four main uses of platinum are in catalytic converters for the automotive industry; as a material in jewelry; in industrial applications in various sectors including fertilizers, hard drives, electronics, and glass manufacturing; and in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

The long-term outlook for platinum is strong, making the sector potentially compelling for investors. Here’s a brief overview of platinum supply and demand dynamics, as well as a look at a few different ways to start investing in platinum.

In this article

    What is platinum?

    Platinum is a silvery-white precious metal that is soft and ductile. It is highly prized for its durability and excellent catalytic properties, such as a high melting point, resistance to corrosion and simple acids, and ability to serve as a carbon monoxide oxidation catalyst. Platinum’s symbol on the periodic table of elements is Pt.

    Platinum is the most abundant and widely used of the platinum-group metals (PGMs), which also includes palladium, rhodium, iridium and other metals.

    Platinum is not typically mined on its own, but rather alongside palladium and other PGMs within nickel and copper ores or chromitite.

    Platinum demand trends

    Platinum’s diversity of applications has helped to create a resilient market for this metal even in an economic downturn. Total platinum demand for 2024 is expected to come in at 7.95 million ounces, mostly on par with the previous year’s figure, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC), which provides quarterly market overviews. The WPIC is projecting a mere 1 percent decline in platinum demand for 2025 to 7.86 million ounces.

    The four biggest demand sectors for platinum are automotive (40 percent), industrial (31 percent), jewelry (25 percent) and investment (5 percent).

    For 2025, WPIC expects to see a slowdown in demand from the industrial sector to be mostly offset by increased demand for platinum coming from the automotive, jewelry and investment sectors.

    Automotive

    In the automotive industry, both platinum and palladium are used in catalytic converters for vehicle exhaust systems. Due to their differing properties, platinum is preferred for diesel engines and palladium is the metal of choice for gasoline engines.

    In recent years, platinum has been increasingly substituted for palladium in gas-powered vehicles due to high prices for palladium. And although the price disparity has decreased, analysts expect that the substitution trend will continue for some time.

    Another important factor impacting this segment of the market is the emerging market for electric vehicle (EVs), which do not require catalytic converters to control emissions. The global slowdown in EV sales and production has proven positive for platinum.

    Demand from this sector is expected to decline by 2 percent year-on-year in 2024 to 3.17 million ounces as global auto sales and production are in decline, especially in Europe. For 2025, the WPIC is forecasting 2 percent growth to 3.25 million ounces, an eight-year high in platinum demand from the automotive sector.

    Industrial

    Demand from the industrial sector is forecast to have dropped 1 percent in 2024 to 2.43 million ounces due to a slowdown in chemical plant start-ups after “five years of aggressive capacity expansions in China.” Looking into 2025, the council sees “cyclically weak” platinum demand coming from the industrial sector, resulting in a forecasted 9 percent year-on-year decline largely caused by ‘negligible new glass capacity additions.’

    Jewelry

    Global jewelry consumption is projected to grow by 5 percent in 2024 to reach 1.95 million ounces, followed by a 2 percent gain in 2025. Regionally, demand growth is centered in India and the United States as platinum becomes a much more affordable option compared to gold.

    Investment

    Looking over to investment demand for platinum, in 2024 WPIC expects a 1 percent drop in over the previous year to 393,000 ounces of the metal. However, that trend is set to reverse in 2025 for a growth rate of 7 percent on strong platinum ETF inflows and the launch of new products including platinum bars at Costco in the US and platinum coins by China Gold Coin Group in China.

    Hydrogen

    In recent years, the transition to a green economy and the growth of hydrogen technologies has created another growing market for platinum. The WPIC has noted that the hydrogen market, specifically proton exchange membrane electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles, is expected to become ‘a meaningful component of global demand by 2030 and potentially the largest segment by 2040.’

    For now, the hydrogen sector represents 1 percent of total platinum demand in 2024, up from 0.4 percent in the previous year.

    Platinum supply trends

    The platinum market is destined to remain in a supply deficit for a third-straight year in 2025, according to WPIC estimates, with a shortfall of 539,000 ounces of the metal. However, the demand-supply imbalance in the platinum market is narrowing from a deficit of 759,000 ounces in 2023 as increased recycling production — up 14 percent — offsets 2 percent declines in mine output. Analysts are forecasting a net increase of 1 percent in total platinum supply for 2025 to 7.324 million ounces.

    The projected 2 percent decrease in mined platinum supply is attributed to expected lower production out of South Africa and North America.

    South Africa is by far the leader in terms of mined platinum production and reserves, according to US Geological Survey data, accounting for about 67 percent of global output. The country’s Bushveld Complex is the largest PGM resource in the world. However, ongoing electricity shortages and transport line disruptions have restrained platinum mine output from the country in recent years.

    How to invest in platinum

    Investors who believe the above market dynamics will eventually result in a higher platinum price may be interested in investing in the metal. There are several ways to invest in platinum, from platinum mining stocks and platinum ETFs to physical bars and coins and platinum futures.

    Platinum stocks

    One way to invest in platinum is to own shares of a platinum-mining company. Depending on your risk tolerance, both major platinum miners, junior exploration companies offer an easy entry point.

    Major platinum mining stocks

    Anglo American Platinum (OTC Pink:AGPPF,JSE:AMS)
    Anglo American Platinum, or Amplats, is a leading primary producer of PGMs, supplying mined and recycled platinum products. The company operates the Mogalakwena mine, Amandelbult complex and Mototolo mine in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex. Its parent company, Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTCQX:AAUKF), is planning to demerge Amplats in mid-2025 as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts, after which Amplats will list on the LSE.

    Eastern Platinum (TSX:ELR,JSE:EPS)
    Eastern Platinum, or Eastplats, has a number of directly and indirectly owned PGM assets in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. In addition to its ongoing work recovering chrome from historical tailings, Eastplats is now ramping up production of PGM and chrome concentrates at Crocodile River’s new Zandfontein underground mine. The company expects PGM revenue to make up at least 65 percent of its revenue in 2026.

    Impala Platinum Holdings (OTC Pink:IMPUF,JSE:IMP)
    Impala Platinum Holdings, or Implats, is one of the most prominent platinum producers in the world. The company has majority ownership or joint ventures in four PGM mining operations in South Africa along with a refining facility, two PGM mining operations in Zimbabwe along with a concentrator, and one PGM mine in Ontario, Canada.

    Tharisa (OTC Pink:TIHRF,LSE:THS,JSE:THA)
    Tharisa is a vertically integrated PGM company, and through its subsidiaries its operations span from exploration through to production, beneficiation and distribution. Tharisa’s PGM assets include the Tharisa platinum-chrome mine in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex and the Karo platinum mine, which is now under construction in Zimbabwe.

    Sibanye Stillwater (NYSE:SBSW)
    Sibanye Stillwater has a diverse metals mining portfolio and is one of the world’s largest primary platinum and palladium producers. It recently adopted a circular economy business model that includes platinum recycling. The company has numerous PGM operations in South Africa and the United States. Its US Stillwater and East Boulder operations are in Montana’s Stillwater Complex, the country’s largest source of PGMs.

    Junior mining stocks

    Bravo Mining (TSXV:BRVO,OTCQX:BRVMF)
    Bravo Mining is advancing its wholly owned Luanga PGM-gold-nickel exploration project in the Carajás Mineral Province of Brazil. The project has a maiden mineral resource estimate showing indicated resources of 4.1 million ounces of palladium equivalent at 1.75 grams per metric ton (g/t) and inferred resources of 5.7 million ounces at 1.5 g/t.

    Canada Nickel (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF)
    Canada Nickel Company is advancing its wholly owned flagship Crawford nickel-cobalt sulfide project located in the Timmins-Cochrane mining camp of Ontario, Canada. The project also hosts significant platinum and palladium mineralized zones.

    Canada North Resources (TSXV:CNRI,OTCQX:CNRSF)
    Canada North Resources wholly owns the late-stage Ferguson Lake exploration project in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The polymetallic project hosts base metals nickel, copper and cobalt as well as PGMs.

    Chalice Mining (ASX:CHN,OTC Pink:CGMLF)
    Chalice Mining owns the Gonneville development project in Western Australia. The project hosts a mix of metals, including platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt and copper. The Western Australia government has designated Gonneville a Strategic Project in recognition of the project’s importance for the country’s critical metals industry.

    Clean Air Metals (TSXV:AIR)
    Clean Air Metals is focused on its wholly owned exploration-stage Thunder Bay North critical minerals project in the Thunder Bay region of Ontario, Canada. The project hosts platinum, palladium, copper and niobium mineralization.

    Lifezone Metals (NYSE:LZM)
    Lifezone Metals has developed a hydrometallurgical processing technology, which it calls Hydromet Technology, as a cleaner alternative to smelting for base and precious metals refining. The company has a joint venture partnership agreement with Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF); Lifezone will use its Hydromet Technology to recycle platinum, palladium and rhodium in the United States, and Glencore will act as the offtaker and marketer. Lifezone also owns the Kabanga nickel-copper-cobalt project in Tanzania.

    Platinum Group Metals (TSX:PTM,NYSE:PLG)
    Platinum Group Metals is working to bring into production its advanced-stage Waterberg palladium and platinum deposit in South Africa. First discovered by Platinum Group Metals, the project is now a joint venture with key partners that include Implats at 14.86 percent. Platinum Group retains a 50.16 percent position in Waterberg and will be the majority operator.

    Ramp Metals (TSXV:RAMP)
    Ramp Metals’ flagship project is the early-stage exploration Rottenstone SW property in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is situated adjacent to a northeast-southwest geological formation connected to the historic Rottenstone mine, which produced nickel, PGMs and gold.

    Platinum bars and coins

    Another investment option is the direct purchase of physical platinum bars or platinum coins through a bullion dealer.

    One example is BullionVault’s online physical platinum market, which is supported by the WPIC, and gives private individuals access to vaulted platinum for the same prices currently paid by institutional investors. The market is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Investors in the United States can also now buy 1 ounce platinum bars and coins at Costco, an option you can learn more about here.

    Platinum ETFs

    Those interested in platinum can also gain exposure via platinum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Here are a few to get you started.

    iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (NYSE:PICK)
    The iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF provides investors with access to the global mining industry through an international basket of companies engaged in the extraction and production of metals, including platinum. Its holdings include Implats, Anglo American and Sibanye Stillwater. It has the lowest expense ratio on this list at 0.39 percent.

    Aberdeen Physical Platinum Shares ETF Trust (ARCA:PPLT)
    The Aberdeen Physical Platinum Shares ETF is designed to reflect the performance of the price of physical platinum less the trust’s expenses and holds platinum bars in a secure vault. It has an expense ratio of 0.6 percent.

    Sprott Physical Platinum and Palladium Trust (ARCA:SPPP)
    The Sprott Physical Platinum and Palladium Trust is another option that provides access to the physical platinum bullion market while allowing the flexibility of an exchange-traded security. It has the highest expense ratio on this list at 1.12 percent.

    GraniteShares Platinum Trust (ARCA:PLTM)
    The GraniteShares Platinum Trust tracks the spot price of platinum less trust expenses, and holds a physical portfolio of platinum ingots kept in a vault in London, UK. It has an expense ratio of 0.5 percent.

    Global X Physical Platinum (ASX:ETPMPT)
    Global X Physical Platinum provides Australian investors access to platinum held in JP Morgan storage facilities. It has a management fee of 0.49 percent.

    Platinum futures

    Another option for those looking to invest in platinum is platinum futures, a derivative instrument tied directly to the price of the actual metal. Futures are a financial contract between an investor and a seller. The investor agrees to purchase an asset from the seller at an agreed-upon price based on a date set in the future.

    Rather than intending to take possession of the material asset, investors speculating in the futures market are instead making bets on whether the price of a particular commodity will rise or fall in the near future.

    For example, if you buy a platinum futures contract believing the price of metal is set to rise, and your prediction proves correct, you could gain a return on your investment by selling the now more valuable futures contract before it expires. However, be advised that trading futures contracts is not for the novice investor.

    Platinum futures are available for trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), which is part of the CME Group.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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    Economy

    Stock Futures Lower after S&P 500 futures ticked down 0.18%

    Economy

    Stock futures are trading slightly lower Monday morning as investors gear up for the final month of 2024. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.18%, alongside declines in Dow Jones Industrial Average futures and Nasdaq 100 futures, which dropped 0.13% and 0.17%, respectively. The market’s focus is shifting to upcoming economic data, particularly reports on manufacturing and construction spending, ahead of this week’s key labor data releases.

    November was a standout month for equities, with the S&P 500 futures rallying to reflect the index’s best monthly performance of the year. Both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved all-time highs during Friday’s shortened trading session, with the Dow briefly surpassing 45,000. Small-cap stocks also saw robust gains, with the Russell 2000 index surging over 10% in November, buoyed by optimism around potential tax cuts.

    As trading kicks off in December, investors are keeping a close eye on geopolitical developments in Europe, where France’s CAC 40 index dropped 0.77% amid political concerns, while Germany’s DAX and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 showed smaller declines.

    S&P 500 futures will likely continue to act as a key barometer for market sentiment, particularly as traders assess the impact of upcoming economic data and global market developments.

    S&P 500 Index Chart Analysis

    This 15-minute chart of the S&P 500 Index shows a recent trend where the index attempted to break above the resistance level near 6,044.17 but retraced slightly to close at 6,032.39, reflecting a minor decline of 0.03% in the session. The candlestick pattern indicates some indecisiveness after a steady upward momentum seen earlier in the day.

    On the RSI (Relative Strength Index) indicator, the value sits at 62.07, having declined from the overbought zone above 70 earlier. This suggests that the bullish momentum might be cooling off, and traders could anticipate a short-term consolidation or slight pullback. However, with RSI above 50, the overall trend remains positive, favoring buyers.

    The index’s recent low of 5,944.36 marks a key support level, while the high at 6,044.17 could act as resistance. If the price sustains above the 6,020 level and RSI stabilizes without breaking below 50, the index could attempt another rally. Conversely, a drop below 6,020 could indicate a bearish shift.

    In conclusion, the index displays potential for continued gains, but traders should watch RSI levels and price action near the support and resistance zones for confirmation.

    The post Stock Futures Lower after S&P 500 futures ticked down 0.18% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

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    Economy

    S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.7%

    Economy

    Stock futures climbed on Wednesday, driven by strong performances from Salesforce and Marvell Technology, following upbeat quarterly earnings. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 215 points (0.5%), while S&P 500 futures gained 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures advanced by 0.7%.

    Salesforce surged 12% after reporting fiscal third-quarter revenue that exceeded expectations, showcasing robust demand in the enterprise software sector. Meanwhile, chipmaker Marvell jumped 14% after surpassing earnings estimates and providing optimistic fourth-quarter guidance, indicating resilience in the semiconductor industry.

    This movement follows a mixed session on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed with small gains, while the Dow dipped slightly. The broader market has experienced a modest start to December, contrasting with November’s robust rally, but analysts anticipate a resurgence in momentum. LPL Financial’s George Smith pointed out that December historically sees strong market performance, particularly in the latter half of the month.

    However, economic data introduced some caution. ADP’s report revealed that private payrolls grew by just 146,000 in November, missing estimates of 163,000. This signals potential softness in the labor market, with investors now awaiting Friday’s November jobs report for further clarity.

    S&P 500 Index Chart Analysis

    Based on the provided stock chart, which appears to be a 15-minute candlestick chart for the S&P 500 Index, here’s a brief analysis:

    The chart shows a clear upward trend, with higher highs and higher lows indicating bullish momentum over the analyzed period. The index has steadily climbed from a low of approximately 5,855 to a recent high of 6,053.58, suggesting strong buying interest.

    Key resistance is observed near 6,050-6,053 levels, as the price has struggled to break above this zone in the most recent sessions. If the index breaches this level with strong volume, it could lead to further upward movement. Conversely, failure to break out may lead to a pullback, with potential support around the 6,000 psychological level and 5,980, where consolidation occurred previously.

    The candlestick patterns show relatively small wicks, indicating limited volatility, which could imply steady market confidence. However, the bullish rally could be overextended, warranting caution for traders, especially if any negative catalysts emerge.

    In summary, the short-term trend is bullish, but traders should monitor resistance levels and volume for signs of a breakout or reversal. It’s also essential to watch broader market factors, as indices are often influenced by macroeconomic data and sentiment.

    The post S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.7% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

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    Stocks

    After a 29% Bounce, Can SMCI Reclaim Its Former Glory?

    Stocks

    When going through your morning trading routine, you’re likely to tune into the news for unfolding events, run technical scans, check sentiment and breadth indicators, and utilize any other tool that can provide a snapshot of what’s going on “now” before or during the market’s opening hours. After all, each day presents something new.

    But what if a stock makes headlines for an unusually massive jump due to a significant news event? How might you go about assessing the favorability of that stock amid a rush of stampeding bulls? That was the case Monday morning with Super Micro Computer Inc. (SMCI).

    On Monday morning, December 2, SMCI claimed the top position in StockCharts’ Market Movers tool, featured on the Dashboard. The ranking highlighted SMCI as the most actively traded stock across the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, as illustrated below.

    FIGURE 1. MARKET MOVERS PANEL FOR NASDAQ ON DECEMBER 2. SMCI was the most actively traded stock in the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq.Image source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

    Can SMCI Stock Recover After Its 85% Plunge?

    Typically, when analyzing a stock that’s performing relatively well, you’d compare it to a benchmark like the broader market (S&P 500) or its sector, checking various breadth indicators to see how the stock and its benchmarks are performing.

    SMCI’s dramatic underperformance renders traditional comparisons to benchmarks unnecessary. Yes, it was that bad. Once a high-flying AI stock, SMCI made headlines after plummeting 85% just weeks ago amid concerns over its financial integrity. While this event grabbed attention, the stock has been on a steady downward trend since the start of the year.

    Despite this, on Monday, shares jumped about 29% after a special committee reaffirmed that there was “no evidence of misconduct” by the company. This was enough to ease investor fears despite the risks that might still weigh on the stock. Given the dramatic surge, the news likely spurred many bullish investors to seize the opportunity, betting on a rebound at “bargain basement” prices.

    However, “not so fast,” as a daily chart of SMCI would indicate.

    FIGURE 2. DAILY CHART OF SMCI. The day’s impressive surge may not look so optimistic when viewed from a larger context.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

    Look at the volume spike coinciding with Monday’s price surge (magenta rectangle). Both may be slightly notable relative to previous sessions. In the bigger picture, though, it’s not a remarkable event. What stands out, however, is the resistance level near $50 (indicated by the blue dotted line) and the Stochastic Oscillator‘s “overbought” reading (marked by the magenta circle), suggesting that momentum may soon slow. In short, watch what the price does at that level.

    But let’s suppose that the current reversal eventually sustains itself and breaks above resistance at $50. The next step would be identifying potential price targets or reversal points ahead. Additionally, it’s important to monitor key longer-term indicators for further confirmation.

    How to Trade SMCI Stock: Entry/Exit Points and Price Targets

    Let’s switch over to a weekly chart.

    FIGURE 3. WEEKLY CHART OF SMCI. The significance of historical volume is quite telling in this chart. The $20 and $90 price ranges have seen the highest trading volumes.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

    If the price breaks above the immediate resistance level at $50, the next key levels to monitor are $65, $95, and $120 (its all-time high). These levels, indicated by dashed blue lines, could serve as potential points for profit-taking, resistance, or reversals, depending on the broader technical and fundamental context. In short, these are your potential price targets. A break above $50 would make for a favorable entry point, and a good stop-loss level would be at $41, marked by the magenta dotted line, as it served as support from September through October.

    A key indicator to watch if price breaks above $50 is the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF). Ideally, you would want to see the CMF rise above the zero-line, as it would indicate that buyers are taking control of the stock, suggesting volume-driven buying pressure that might be adequate enough to lift the stock higher. If SMCI falls before breaking above $50, what’s the likelihood of another bounce at $20, forming a double bottom?

    While SMCI’s bounce is a foggy mix of fundamental speculation, leading SMCI bulls to trade technically until more definitive information on the company’s prospects becomes clearer, the Volume-by-Price indicator offers some valuable insight. A Volume-by-Price analysis suggests that the $20 and $90 price ranges have experienced the highest trading volumes. This means that these ranges might serve as significant support and resistance levels, respectively, due to heavy trading concentrated at these prices. So, if SMCI’s price declines, it is likely to find support once again at the $20 level.

    At the Close

    SMCI’s dramatic 29% rebound drew much attention, but you should approach such euphoria cautiously, tempering the optimism with technical reality. The Market Movers tool is useful for drawing attention to stocks experiencing the highest levels of trading volume and the biggest percentage gainers and decliners. But just because you see a bull rush doesn’t mean you should immediately jump into the fray. Watch the key levels discussed above and if SMCI signals an entry, set your sights on the targets and set your stops as well. If SMCI trends higher, consider trailing your stops higher to reduce your losses or ensure your profits.

    Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

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