Stijn Schmitz welcomes David Skarica to the show. David Skarica is Contrarian Investor and the Founder of Profit From Pessimism. In this wide-ranging discussion, Skarica offers insights into current market dynamics, focusing on gold, commodities, and investment strategies. Skarica views the current gold market as part of a long-term macro trend that began in 1999, with potentially another four to six years of growth ahead. He attributes this potential to global debt levels, which have reached unprecedented heights. Central bank buying and potential retail investor interest are additional factors supporting gold’s trajectory. While gold has already seen significant appreciation, Skarica believes we are only in the first or second stage of its bull market in terms of pricing.

Regarding mining stocks, Skarica is particularly interested in smaller miners near production or with strong cash flow potential. He sees opportunities in junior mining companies that can potentially increase their market capitalization significantly. His investment approach focuses on finding undervalued companies with asymmetric risk-reward profiles, preferring to make concentrated bets on a handful of carefully selected investments.

Stijn also explores energy markets, with Skarica noting potential opportunities in oil, natural gas, and even renewable energy sectors. He suggests that the ongoing geopolitical tensions and increased energy demands from technological developments like AI could support higher energy prices and create investment opportunities. Skarica’s investment philosophy emphasizes contrarian thinking, patience, and seeking value in overlooked or undervalued assets. He warns against over-concentration in any single investment and recommends diversification across sectors and careful position sizing.

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David Skarica had an interest in financial markets at an early age. At the age of 16, he read the small booklet “The Plague of the Black Debt”, by James Dale Davidson, which was given to him by his uncle.

David was always a sports stat nut, loving football, hockey and baseball stats, which lead to David becoming intrigued with economics and markets. David is such an avid Football and Las Vegas Raiders fan — his principal in grammar school was Bernie Custis, who was the late Raiders owner Al Davis’ roommate at Syracuse University, and the first ever African American quarterback in college and pro football history — that he also runs his own football vlog, Raiders Greats, which discusses great Raiders player of the past. He also is a soccer fan who supports Leeds Utd., as his father was born in Leeds, England.

In 1996, at the age of 18, David became the youngest person on record (that he knows of anyhow) to obtain the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) license to trade investment securities.

In the late 1990s, David felt that the market was becoming another epic bubble similar to the bubble of the 1920s, so he decided at the tender age of 20 to write his first book, Stock Market Panic!, which was published in 1998. Over the next decade, gold soared from $250 an ounce to nearly $1900, while the S&P 500 lost value.

In the same year that this book was published, he decided to start his newsletter, Addicted to Profits. The newsletter’s name was a spin on Robert Palmer’s famed song Addicted to Love. The irony was Robert Palmer recorded this song in the Bahamas ay the famous Compass Point Recording Studio, and David himself would end up moving to the Bahamas in 2005 (another Irony about David moving to the Bahamas is that his mentor Sir John Templeton also resided there).

Stijn Schmitz welcomes back Josef Schachter to the show. Josef is Founder of Schachter Asset Management Inc. The discussion centers on the significant disruptions in the global oil and gas market caused by recent geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East. Schachter provides a comprehensive analysis of the current energy landscape, highlighting the potential long-term implications of supply constraints and infrastructure damage. According to Schachter, the conflict has already removed approximately 14 to 16 million barrels of oil from daily production, with strategic petroleum reserves and shadow fleet inventories currently offsetting the supply shock. He anticipates that if the war continues, oil prices could reach $80-$90 per barrel by year-end, with potential risks of prices climbing to $150-$180, which could trigger significant demand destruction.

They discuss the broader implications for the energy sector, with Schachter emphasizing that the current environment presents attractive opportunities for investors. He recommends focusing on companies with large reserve life indices, low operating costs, and attractive valuations. Specifically, he highlights Canadian energy companies in natural gas and oil sands sectors as promising investments. Schachter notes that the energy landscape has fundamentally changed since March 1st, with companies now needing to focus on growth strategies. He believes the sector is still in early stages, comparing it to being on the fourth hole of a golf course, with significant potential for future development. Companies with strong balance sheets and the ability to capitalize on higher commodity prices will be best positioned.

The conversation also touches on potential demand impacts, with Schachter suggesting that prices above $150-$180 per barrel could trigger severe economic consequences, potentially leading to demand reduction that would stabilize prices. He recommends investors carefully evaluate energy companies, looking at metrics like finding and development costs, operating efficiency, and management’s equity stake. Ultimately, Schachter believes the energy sector offers significant long-term investment potential, particularly for those willing to be patient and strategic in their approach.

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Subscription Discount for Palisade Listeners, $100 off the first year of our subscription, use coupon code “POD100”
https://schachterenergyreport.ca/subscriptions/

Josef Schachter is a 40+ year veteran of the Canadian Investment Management Industry, Josef Schachter has experienced several exceptional and turbulent global economic and stock market cycles. With his primary focus in the stock market and the energy sector, Josef is able to weave global political, economic and monetary issues with current energy data into a compelling story of what’s going on, what is to come, and why.

Josef is a frequent guest on Michael Campbell’s Podcast ‘Mikes Money Talks’ and other podcast and radio shows and is often quoted in the media. He is a regular Guest Speaker at the annual World Outlook Financial Conference in Vancouver and he delivers presentations to various companies and organizations. For several years, he was a frequent and notably colourful commentator on BNN Bloomberg’s Market Call.

Josef provided Oil and Gas research to Maison Placements Canada geared to their institutional clients for 15 years ending April 2017, and was acknowledged as the first analyst in Canada to predict the Oil Price Plunge of 2014.

Prior to establishing his firm Schachter Asset Management Inc. in 1996, Josef was the Chief Market Strategist at Richardson Greenshields, a Director of RGCL and a member of its Investment Policy Committee. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a past Chairman of the Canadian Council of Financial Analysts.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes Lobo Tiggre to the show. Lobo Tiggre is the founder of the Independent Speculator. The discussion explores the current state of commodities markets, with a particular focus on precious metals, energy, and geopolitical dynamics. Tiggre provides a nuanced perspective on the gold market, emphasizing that despite recent volatility, the long-term outlook remains positive. He argues that gold trading around $4,500-$4,700 is still a strong position, and the current correction should be viewed with perspective. The fundamental drivers for gold remain intact, including de-dollarization trends and global economic uncertainties.

Regarding silver and platinum group metals, Tiggre believes they will not be left behind in the broader precious metals rally. He notes that silver is particularly volatile and can present unique buying opportunities during market corrections. For uranium and copper, he maintains a strongly bullish long-term outlook, viewing them as critical energy metals with structural supply constraints.

The conversation delves into the geopolitical landscape, with Tiggre discussing how current global tensions are accelerating trends like de-dollarization and creating potential opportunities in various commodity markets. He emphasizes the importance of disciplined investing, advocating for a “buy low, sell high” approach and maintaining cash reserves to capitalize on market corrections.

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Lobo Tiggre, aka Louis James, is the founder and CEO of Louis James LLC, and the principal analyst and editor of IndependentSpeculator.com. He researched and recommended speculative opportunities in Casey Research publications from 2004 to 2018, writing under the name “Louis James.” While with Casey Research, he learned the ins and outs of resource speculation from the legendary speculator Doug Casey.

Although frequently mistaken for one, Mr. Tiggre is not a professional geologist. However, his long tutelage under world-class geologists, writers, and investors resulted in an exceptional track record.

A fully transparent, documented, and verifiable track record is a central feature of the IndependentSpeculator. Mr. Tiggre will put his own money into the speculations he writes about, so his readers will always know he has “skin in the game” with them.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes back John Feneck to the show. John is CEO of the Feneck Consulting Group. In this in-depth discussion, Feneck shares insights into critical minerals, defense metals, and investment opportunities across various sectors.

John is particularly bullish on tungsten, highlighting that China currently produces about 81% of the world’s tungsten supply, creating significant potential for Western mining companies. Feneck specifically recommends two companies as promising tungsten-focused investments. He notes the critical mineral space is receiving substantial government attention, with the US dedicating $112 billion to support critical mineral development.

The geopolitical landscape, particularly tensions with China and ongoing conflicts, further underscore the importance of diversifying mineral supply chains.

In the silver market, Feneck maintains an optimistic outlook. He currently holds an 18% portfolio position in silver and suggests the metal has significant upside potential.

Regarding gold, Feneck believes there’s still substantial room for growth. Major banks like JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs are maintaining forecasts between $5,500 and $6,000, indicating continued confidence in the sector.

The discussion also touches on broader market dynamics, including potential sector rotation away from technology and AI stocks. Feneck emphasizes the importance of understanding market volatility and being prepared for potential short-term pullbacks.

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John Feneck’s upcoming conferences:

Both events are invitation only. If interested, please email John at [email protected] no later than April 15. Go to “events” then “Washington DC or Florida”, then “companies” to see who has been invited on the event website: https://topshelf-partners.com/ . Investors can attend in person, or virtually.

Ticker’s Discussed:
Western Star Resources (WSRIF, WSR), Triumph Gold (TIGCF, TIG), Gold equity ETFs (GDX, GDXJ), Silver Equity ETFs (SLVP, SILJ), Silver47 Exploration (AAGAF, AGA), Guardian Metal Resources (GMTLF, GMET.L (US ticker will soon uplist to NYSE as “GMTL”)), Paramount Gold (PZG), Denarius Metals (DNRSF, DMET).

John Feneck is CEO of Feneck Consulting Group. He began his career in 1992 as an equity analyst for Merrill Lynch’s global allocation fund. From 1993 to 2019 he held senior executive roles at Merrill Lynch Funds (now BlackRock) and J.P. Morgan Chase Funds, where he ranked #1 in gross and net sales once at Merrill Lynch and three times at J.P. Morgan (among 40 peers).

Since 2017 he has contributed articles to Kitco—becoming a regular contributor in 2021—and has appeared as a featured guest. He’s delivered over 250 client seminars and webinars, spoken at 12 global commodities events, and in 2017 joined Sprott’s precious metals portfolio-management team. There he developed a proprietary methodology combining technical analysis with direct insights from company management, advocating a “go anywhere” strategy and a diversified portfolio of 25–50 resource stocks to navigate the sector’s volatility.

In September 2019 he founded Feneck Consulting Group, helping small- and mid-cap metals and mining companies raise brand awareness and advising high-net-worth advisors on market opportunities and risks. He holds Series 7, Series 63, CMFC and CIMA Level 1 certifications (though he is not a licensed advisor) and focuses on consulting. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, he’s a single dad to an 11-year-old daughter and spends weekends as a professional musician, athlete and traveler.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes a new guest to the show David Woo. David is a Macro Analyst and Former Wall Street strategist. In this wide-ranging interview, Woo provides insights into the current geopolitical and economic landscape, focusing on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its potential implications for global markets. Woo argues that the current war represents the first proxy conflict between the United States and China, with Iran playing a strategic role. He suggests that the conflict’s outcome could significantly impact global dynamics, particularly concerning oil trade and maritime control. Specifically, he highlights the potential for China to resist US control of the Strait of Hormuz, drawing parallels to historical conflicts like Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.

Regarding gold, Woo offers a nuanced perspective. He explains that gold’s recent performance has been more closely correlated with stock market movements, driven largely by retail investor behavior rather than traditional fundamental drivers like inflation or de-dollarization. While he remains long-term bullish on gold, he believes the metal’s short-term performance is more tied to broader market sentiment.

On oil markets, Woo is fundamentally bearish, citing massive global production increases from non-OPEC producers like Ghana, Venezuela, Brazil, and the United States. He anticipates oil prices will eventually collapse, particularly once the current conflict resolves. He also sees potential opportunities in defense-related sectors, believing increased military spending is likely in the conflict’s aftermath. Woo’s analysis extends to broader geopolitical trends, including the potential reshaping of global economic relationships.

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Formerly Head of Global Interest Rates and former senior Wall Street strategist, David built his reputation by challenging consensus thinking — calling Trump’s 2016 election, the post-COVID rebound, and major macro inflection points before they happened.

One of the most respected macro strategists on Wall Street, today he brings that same independent, data-driven analysis directly to retail investors — free from institutional bias, groupthink, and agendas.

He is joined by John Hopkinson, PhD, a mathematician trained at MIT, who translates David’s macro vision into precise, actionable trading strategy — complete with stock selections, targets, and stop levels published every week.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes back Trader Ferg to the show. Trader Ferg is a Full-time Trader & Author of the Trader Ferg Substack. In this wide-ranging discussion, Trader Ferg shares his insights on several critical commodity markets and geopolitical developments, focusing primarily on coal and corn as compelling investment opportunities. Regarding coal, Trader Ferg argues that the conflict in the Red Sea and disruptions to LNG infrastructure have created a structural shift that will drive thermal coal prices higher. He highlights the significant damage to LNG trains and the resulting long-term supply constraints, particularly for European energy markets. With European gas storage at historic lows and alternative supply routes limited, coal becomes an increasingly attractive alternative. Ferg expects thermal coal prices to potentially reach the low $200 per ton range, driven by Asian cooling demands and European energy needs.

For corn, Trader Ferg sees significant potential due to fertilizer supply disruptions caused by conflicts in the Red Sea. The timing coincides with critical planting seasons, which could create acute shortages and price volatility. He prefers playing corn through options, citing the attractive volatility and low cost of entry compared to traditional equity plays. The conversation also explores broader macroeconomic trends, including the potential for gold to re-emerge as a settlement currency between nations.

Ferg believes we’re witnessing an acceleration of de-dollarization, with countries like Russia exploring gold-based settlement mechanisms with Asian trading partners. On precious metals, Ferg remains bullish, viewing the current pullback as a temporary setback in a longer-term bull market. He anticipates continued inflationary pressures and potential monetary expansion will ultimately support gold and other commodity prices. Throughout the discussion, Trader Ferg emphasizes his investment philosophy of identifying underappreciated, cyclical commodities with structural tailwinds and asymmetric potential for significant price appreciation.

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Trader Ferg is a Full-time trader for going on 8+ years now. He has a habit of hanging out in hated corners of the market that are considered uninvestable. He enjoys sharing his research and thoughts about possible trades and markets.

Stijn Schmitz your host welcomes Gary Wagnar to the show. Gary Wagnar is Executive Producer of TheGoldForecast.com. In this detailed discussion about gold markets, Wagnar provides a comprehensive technical analysis of current gold trading conditions, highlighting significant market movements and potential future trajectories. Currently, gold is experiencing notable volatility, with prices dropping below $5,000 per ounce.

Gary emphasizes the importance of the 50-day moving average as a critical technical indicator, noting that breaking below this level suggests a potential pivot from a bullish to a bearish market trend. He attributes the recent price decline primarily to the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain current interest rates, which has dampened gold’s performance. Despite the short-term bearish outlook, Wagnar remains cautiously optimistic about gold’s long-term prospects. He points out that gold has still gained 16% over the past year, which is a significant performance compared to other commodities.

The ongoing geopolitical conflicts and potential inflationary pressures from rising oil prices could provide future support for gold prices. Wagnar also discusses his technical analysis approach, particularly his preference for Japanese candlestick charting, which he believes offers superior visual insights into price movements compared to traditional Western bar charts. He uses Fibonacci retracement levels to identify potential support and resistance points, currently suggesting that gold could find support around $4,677 if the current downward trend continues.

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Gary S. Wagner is the executive producer of TheGoldForecast.com – a daily video newsletter covering precious metals. He has been a technical market analyst for over 35 years.

Since 2010 he has been a regular analyst for Kitco News, where he authors daily commentary “Hawaii 6-O”. He has written for Stocks & Commodities Magazine, Futures Magazine, Street, and Barons. He has been a speaker for many financial seminars like Dow Jones Financial Symposium or Futures West.

Gary S. Wagner coauthored a book “Trading Applications of Japanese Candlestick Charting” a John Wiley publication. He also co-developed a software application for market forecasting called the “Candlestick Forecaster”. Considered as one of the first computer programs to recognize and identify Candlestick patterns. He was mentored by many great technical analysts like John Bollinger and Larry Williams.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes Jeffrey Christian to the show. Jeff is the Managing Partner of the CPM Group. In this comprehensive discussion, Christian provides nuanced insights into the current state of precious metals, global economics, and geopolitical dynamics. Regarding gold, Christian argues that the market is in a long-term secular upward trend, with the current bull market potentially 60-70% through its cycle. He emphasizes that gold serves as a financial asset, a safe haven, and a portfolio diversifier.

While acknowledging concerns about global deficits and debt, Christian suggests these issues are not as catastrophic as some analysts claim, pointing out that economic systems have historically adapted to significant financial challenges. The discussion explores broader economic trends, including de-globalization, reduced international trade, and potential decoupling of the world economy from the United States. Christian highlights the complex dynamics of central bank and sovereign wealth fund gold purchases, noting a critical distinction between monetary reserve acquisitions and investment-driven purchases.

On silver and other precious metals, Christian describes a more specialized and volatile market compared to gold. He provides detailed insights into market dynamics, including arbitrage opportunities, industrial demand, and regional variations in trading. The conversation also delves into geopolitical risks, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its potential implications for oil markets and global trade. Christian warns of potential economic disruptions, suggesting that a combination of factors could lead to a recession, including challenges in private equity, technology sectors, and international trade relationships.

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Jeffrey Christian is the Managing Partner of the CPM Group. He is considered one of the most knowledgeable experts on precious metals markets, commodities in general, and financial engineering, using options for hedging and investing purposes. He is the author of Commodities Rising 2006.

Jeffrey Christian has been a prominent analyst and advisor on precious metals and commodities markets since the 1970s, with work spanning precious metals, energy markets, base metals, agricultural markets, and economic analysis. The company was founded in 1986, spinning off the Commodities Research Group from Goldman, Sachs & Co and its commodities trading arm, J. Aron & Company.

He has advised many of the world’s largest corporations and institutional investors on managing their commodities price and market exposures and providing advisory services to the World Bank, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and numerous governments.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes David Hunter to the show. David Hunter is Chief Macro Strategist with Contrarian Macro Advisors. David provides a comprehensive macro outlook that anticipates a significant market transformation in the coming years. He believes the current market is in the late stages of a 43-year secular bull market, with a potential melt-up phase that could see the S&P 500 reaching 9,500 by mid-year or Labor Day. However, he warns of an impending “bust” that could result in an 80% market decline, potentially worse than the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

Hunter’s analysis suggests a complex economic landscape where initial deflationary pressures will give way to potentially hyperinflationary conditions by the early 2030s. He anticipates central banks will be slow to respond to the economic downturn, potentially requiring up to 20 trillion in quantitative easing to stabilize the system. The federal balance sheet could expand from the current 6.5 trillion to as much as 30 trillion.

Regarding asset classes, Hunter recommends a strategic approach to capital preservation. He believes the current investment mantra of “time in the market” will be insufficient and investors should consider carefully timing their exit from markets. He expects significant opportunities in commodities and industrial sectors, with potential dramatic price increases in oil, copper, and precious metals. For gold specifically, Hunter forecasts a potential rise to $6,800 this year and potentially $20,000 by the early 2030s. He views gold as a potential hedge against the massive economic restructuring he anticipates. His outlook extends to a potential systemic financial reset between 2033-2035, which he describes as the end of an 80-90 year economic supercycle.

Hunter emphasizes that while the coming economic transformation will be challenging, it will also create new investment opportunities, particularly in industrial and commodity sectors. He advises investors to remain flexible and prepared for significant market disruptions.

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David is Chief Macro Strategist with Contrarian Macro Advisors. He is an investment professional with 25 years of investment management experience and 21 years as a sell-side strategist with robust macroeconomic analysis and portfolio management expertise. His strong macro capabilities, combined with a contrarian philosophy, have allowed him to forecast economic cycles and spot market trends well ahead of the consensus. Intellectually honest, independent thinker comfortable with charting a course apart from the crowd.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes Martin Armstrong to the show. Martin Armstrong is CEO & Chairman of Armstrong Economics Ltd. In this wide-ranging interview, Armstrong provides deep insights into global geopolitical and economic dynamics, focusing on current international tensions, monetary systems, and future economic trends. Armstrong argues that the current geopolitical landscape is far more complex than many analysts understand, particularly regarding conflicts in the Middle East and potential global tensions. He emphasizes that the neoconservative movement has significantly influenced US foreign policy, often without fully comprehending the long-term consequences of their actions. He specifically critiques interventions in Iraq, Iran, and other regions, suggesting that these actions frequently create more instability than they resolve.

Regarding the global monetary system, Armstrong believes significant changes are coming. He suggests that gold is increasingly being viewed as a neutral asset by countries like China, who are accumulating it as a hedge against potential conflicts. While he doesn’t anticipate a traditional gold standard, he sees gold playing a crucial role in international trade settlements, potentially rising to $10,000 by 2032. Armstrong is particularly critical of current government debt strategies, predicting a potential sovereign debt crisis.

He argues that governments historically default through various mechanisms, including war, currency devaluation, or simply refusing to honor previous debt. The United States’ reserve currency status, he explains, stems not just from government policy but from its robust consumer economy and deep financial markets. Looking forward, Armstrong sees continued geopolitical uncertainty, rising oil prices, and potential conflicts, particularly involving Russia and China. He warns that sanctions and current diplomatic strategies are counterproductive and that true global peace requires economic integration rather than isolation.

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Martin Armstrong is the Owner and Researcher for the website Armstrong Economics. He is the former chairman of Princeton Economics International Ltd. He is best known for his economic predictions based on the Economic Confidence Model, which he developed.

At age 13, Armstrong began working at a coin and stamp dealership in Pennsauken, New Jersey. After buying a bag of rare Canadian pennies, he became a millionaire in 1965 at the age of 15. He continued to work on weekends through high school, finding the real-world exciting, for this was the beginning of the collapse of the gold standard. Martin became captivated by this shocking revelation that there were not just booms and busts, but also peaks and valleys that would last centuries.

Armstrong progressed from gold coin investments to following commodity prices for precious metals. In 1973, he began publishing commodity market predictions as a hobby, and in 1983 Armstrong began accepting paid subscriptions for a forecast newsletter.

“In Armstrong’s view of the world where boom-bust cycles occur like clockwork every 8.6 years, what matters is his record as a forecaster. He called Russia’s financial collapse in 1998, using a model that also pointed to a peak just before the Japanese stock market crashed in 1989. These days, as the European sovereign-debt crisis roils markets worldwide, he reminds readers of his October 1997 prediction that the creation of the euro “will merely transform currency speculation into bond speculation,” leading to the system’s eventual collapse.”

His Website Armstrong Economics offers a unique perspective intended to educate the public and organizations on the global economic and political environment’s underlying trends. Their mission is to research historical cyclical trends.