Core Insights - The value of silver has increased by over 78% this year, reaching a record high, while some economists caution that it may be riskier than gold despite its strong performance [1][6][10] Price Movements - Spot silver rose approximately 3.5% to $52.25 per ounce, while silver futures increased by 6.7% to around $50.45 [1] - Silver prices broke the $50 threshold, surpassing the previous record of $49.95 set in January 1980 [2] Market Dynamics - Global silver inventory in London has declined, leading to a lack of liquidity, which is described as unprecedented by investment professionals [3] - Goldman Sachs analysts predict that silver prices will likely continue to rise due to the government shutdown and anticipated interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve [3][10] Investment Considerations - While silver and gold prices typically move together and are considered safe-haven assets, economists expect more volatility and downside risk for silver compared to gold [4] - Central banks are more likely to invest in gold due to its higher per-ounce value and scarcity [5] Future Projections - Bank of America has raised its price forecasts for gold to $5,000 per ounce and for silver to $65 per ounce by 2026, while also warning of potential near-term risks for silver [7] - The current liquidity squeeze in silver may be temporary, with expectations that higher prices will restore liquidity as the metal flows back from other regions [7] Broader Market Context - Precious metals have gained from economic and policy uncertainty in the U.S., with gold recently surpassing $4,000 [10] - Factors such as a weaker U.S. dollar, hopes for interest rate cuts, and inflation concerns are driving the rally in precious metals [10]

More Americans are about to feel the pain of the government shutdown. The Washington Post reports that while the president ordered the Pentagon to repurpose research and development funding to make payroll for members of the military who were set to miss their first paycheck Wednesday, civilian employees won't see the same treatment. Even Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the pain this morning on Fox.But the longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be. And Maria, to be clear, some of these c ...

Healthcare Crisis & Political Debate - Republicans are feeling the heat due to a healthcare crisis in America, exacerbated by their policies [2] - The average family will pay $900 to $1,000 more per month for health insurance [4] - A 55-year-old couple making $80,000 annually may pay $25,000 more for health insurance [5] - Republicans are not negotiating to resolve the healthcare crisis, and Johnson has sent his people home [6][7] Government Shutdown & Political Maneuvering - The government is in day 11 of a shutdown, and the House will not convene next week [1] - Trump is accused of using government workers as hostages and pawns [12] - Trump's administration has started laying off more than 4,000 federal workers from departments, including health, education, and social security [10] Middle East Peace Deal - A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been agreed upon, with the expected release of 48 Israeli hostages (20 alive, 28 bodies) in exchange for 250 Palestinians [14] - The goals are to bring all hostages home, achieve a long-lasting ceasefire, and get aid to the Gazan people [15][16] - The ultimate aim is a long-lasting peace in the Middle East with two states, a Palestinian state and a Jewish state, living side by side in peace [17] Justice Department & Political Weaponization - The Justice Department has been turned into Trump's personal attack dog, resembling tyranny [22] - The indictment of New York Attorney General Leticia James is seen as a politically motivated attack [22][23] - A former prosecutor was fired for refusing to pursue the case against Leticia James due to lack of evidence [23][25]

Market Performance & Risks - Major indices experienced significant weekly declines, with the Dow posting its worst decline since May, and the S&P and NASDAQ since April [1] - The market is bifurcated, heavily reliant on the AI narrative, making it vulnerable if AI execution doesn't meet expectations, potentially dragging valuations broadly [2][3] - Disillusionment with the US Treasury and US dollar is driving investors towards gold as a safe haven [5] Investment Strategies & Safe Havens - Metals, particularly gold, are seen as a potential safe haven due to central bank buying and disillusionment with the US dollar [5] - Declining rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold [5] - Investors are considering intermediate and longer end of the treasury curve as potential safe havens [5] Economic Impact & Government Policy - Government shutdowns and potential layoffs could weaken consumer demand, especially in federal work-dependent local economies [6][7] - Concerns exist regarding the long-term ROI of data center spending and the affordability of such investments [3][4] - High debt levels and term premiums are causing concern among natural buyers of long-end bonds [8]

The last word with Lawrence O'Donnell. Hopefully he's not running around the studios like he was last night. Starts right now.Hey, Lawrence. Jet. >> I I'm just finishing my notes on your podcast and where to find it and exactly how to get it.So, >> thank goodness. I I hope you scan the >> You want to say that one more time. Your podcast is findable.How. >> Anywhere you get your podcast. >> There you go. There you go. >> There you go.It's easy easy to remember. Wherever you listen, Spotify, Apple Podcast, we ...

Bring in show music, please. >> Hi, I'm CNBC producer Katie Kramer. Today on Squawk Pod, shutdown day nine and no end in sight to reopen the US government.Two key players backto back. Senate Majority Leader Republican John Thun. >> They are pandering to the the left-wing special interest groups out there who have demanded this and demanded this showdown with the president of the United States.and House Minority Leader Democrat Hakeim Jeff. >> The law requires everyone to be paid and unfortunately Donald Tru ...

The shutdown has been, you know, pretty damaging. I mean, it's not yet because it's early, but it gets a little bit worse as it goes along. And we'll be making cuts that will be permanent.And we're only going to cut Democrat programs. I hate to tell you, I guess that's makes sense, but we're only cutting Democrat programs. Uh, but we're going to start that.And we have uh Russell can talk to you about it if he wants to, but we're we'll be cutting some very popular Democrat uh programs that aren't popular wit ...

International Relations & Geopolitics - Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a plan to end the war in Gaza [1] - President Trump may visit the Middle East this weekend as the deal is finalized [2] - The first phase of the deal involves the release of hostages, alive and dead, and aid flooding into the Gaza Strip [8] - The disarmament of Hamas remains a significant question [27][28] - Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line, indicating a continued military presence [11] - Fighting may continue until the hostages are released [15] US Domestic Affairs - The Trump administration is sending National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities to protect ICE personnel [32] - 500 National Guard troops from Texas and Illinois arrived in Chicago [32] - The White House is considering invoking the Insurrection Act, which could mean the deployment of active duty troops [39][40] Government Shutdown & Fiscal Policy - The US government is shut down, with no end in sight [41] - The IRS furloughed 46% of its workforce, halting most administrative and taxpayer services [43][44] - A vote to reopen the government failed for the sixth time in the Senate [42] - Healthcare costs and Affordable Care Act subsidies are a primary issue in the shutdown battle, with potential premium spikes for millions of Americans [56][60] - Some families could see their healthcare premiums jump by more than $3,000 a year if Congress lets subsidies expire [56] Natural Disasters & Weather - A strong nor'easter is approaching the US East Coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, with gusts up to 50-60 miles per hour in some locations [70][73] - The storm is expected to bring 3 to 5 inches of needed rain to areas from Cape Hatteras to Washington DC and Richmond [73] - Tropical Storm Priscilla is located 270 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California, with maximum winds of 50 miles per hour [75] - Flood alerts are in effect for 6 million people in the southeast due to tropical moisture [76] Crime & Justice - The last inmate who escaped from a New Orleans jail in May was captured in Atlanta [63] - A man has been arrested and charged with arson for allegedly starting the deadly Palisades fire in Los Angeles, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of structures [64][65]

All right, we got to talk to you about it. Um, shutdown just in in its ninth day. Uh, we got that data from Moody's that we always bring up.For every week of the government shutdown, quarterly GDP is impacted by a tenth of a percent. What's the impact on the manufacturing sector. Are there certain parts of it that are impacted more than others.Well, I think overall, Frank, the business community in general, but certainly manufacturing depends on certainty and uh having this kind of uncertain time where we d ...

International Relations & Diplomacy - A ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas is potentially in progress, with the first phase agreed upon [1] - The deal includes the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops behind an agreed-upon line [1] - A 72-hour clock for the release of living hostages will begin once the Israeli cabinet approves the deal [1] - European, Arab, and other states are meeting in Paris to discuss Gaza's post-war transition, in parallel with indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt [1] - The US will have representation at the Paris meeting, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend [1] US Domestic Policy & Politics - The US government shutdown is ongoing, with Congress deadlocked over a funding plan [1] - The Senate failed to advance funding bills for the sixth time [1] - House Speaker Mike Johnson has kept Republican lawmakers home and won't call them back to vote on a separate bill to pay members of the military amid the shutdown [1] - President Trump supports a standalone bill to pay service members [1] - 500 National Guard troops have been sent to the Chicago area for an initial period of 60 days, including 200 from Texas and 300 from Illinois [9]