A digest of the biggest news stories of 2021 and their meaning for the global economy and physical gold investors.

Year in Review: Inflation, Virus, Supply Chain Chaos

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This year brought us plenty of surprising, serious, and sometimes challenging events. Some of them were quite mind-blowing: 

A human brain wirelessly connected to a computer.

NASA’s Perseverance rover made oxygen on Mars. 

The world’s first 3-D-printed school opened in Malawi.

Almost certainly, these events went unnoticed by many of us, because our minds were mostly gripped with worries about Covid, rising prices and not being able to receive our couch on time because of broken supply chains.

And it’s no surprise why. Inflation, supply chain issues, and the pandemic were all over the news throughout the year, with markets and investors ringing the alarm, and analysts warning that all these issues won’t go away in 2022.

To round off the year, we collected the key events and news stories of 2021 to see how they have affected the global market and 

 buyers, and what they could mean for the year ahead.

The news about this fast-spreading Covid variant dashed our hopes that the worst of the pandemic is over, disrupting holiday travel and pushing infection cases to new heights.

Faced by the ghastly prospect of new lockdowns and closed borders, 

some investors responded by selling their shares in travel and tourism companies

, rattled by the possibility that this new wave could hurt the global economic recovery.

Yet, it’s still early to say how omicron will affect us and the global economy in 2022. According to Bloomberg analysts, if we get lucky, and 

if the new strain proves to be less deadly, we could get back to something like “pre-pandemic normal.”

 If not, well, then we could see the global economy slowing down.

 how omicron could affect the economy and the price of gold

That’s it. Fed chair Jerome Powell has finally admitted that this runaway inflation is not “transitory” after all. 

The U.S. central bank has been stubbornly repeating its “transitory” mantra almost all year long, ignoring the big elephant in the room. But when inflation hit a 30-year high and investors started ringing the alarm, it became too hard to deny it.

So the Fed has come up with a new plan for 2022: to curb runaway inflation by

. This means that it might become more expensive for both businesses and consumers to take out a loan, which can discourage spending and reduce the supply of money in circulation. This is supposed to lower inflation and bring back a red-hot economy to safer growth levels.

But, according to Bloomberg Economics, if the Fed increases rates three times next year 

 signals it’ll keep going, the U.S. might be facing a recession in early 2023.

For consumers, rate hikes could mean 3 things:

 higher mortgage rates, higher credit card interest rates, and higher savings accounts rates. 

In Europe, too, inflation soared 4.9%, which is the highest level since 1997. Unlike the Fed, ECB President Christine Lagarde said there will probably be no rate hikes next year, but warned that inflation might last longer than expected.

how higher inflation could affect the price of gold

Strained supply chains are causing a lot of trouble 

Just about anything that could go wrong with the global supply chain has gone wrong over the past two years: there has been a pandemic, volatile swings in consumer demand, labor shortages, and even a giant container ship stuck in the Suez Canal.

chip shortage has slowed the production of a wide range of goods

The situation became so bad in the summer that several 

car manufacturers were forced to halt production

 at some of their plants, while Apple reportedly had to slash the number of iPhones it produced in 2021. 

Now there are first signs that these pressures could be starting to ease. However, shipping, manufacturing, and retail executives say they don’t expect a return to normal until next year, and that 

cargo delays are likely to continue if new Covid outbreaks disrupt key distribution hubs

 the supply chain disruptions and what they could mean for the gold price

Economic risks coming from China’s real estate bubble 

Finally, economic risks posed by the crisis in China’s economy and the real estate sector sparked worries among investors that the situation could spill into the global economy.

The infamous Evergrande crisis has been all over the news in the past few months as China’s sprawling real estate giant struggled to pay down its massive $300 billion debt. 

Evergrande Group was declared by Fitch Ratings to be in default

, meaning that the company has formally defaulted but had not yet entered into any kind of bankruptcy filing or another process that would stop its operations.

Some analysts anticipate that the problems encountered by Evergrande and other Chinese property developers will hurt China’s long-term economic growth but are expected to have a limited effect on the financial markets.

But Bloomberg’s Markets Live Global Survey showed that investors still fear that 

contagion linked to China’s economic situation could hurt economic growth

what could happen if China’s housing bubble bursts and how it could affect gold

In short, 2021 was a challenging year for many people, but we are hopeful that 2022 will be better.

The year was full of monumental events with global effects, including the ongoing Covid pandemic and the world getting used to a new reality of being short of everything, from computer chips to food products. 

But at the same time, 2021 was also a reminder that our world is more connected than ever. Every time you checked the news, you could see how seriously something happening on the other side of the world could affect you at home, be it a huge container ship stuck in the Suez Canal or economic problems in China.

It’s still early to say what will have the biggest impact on the global economy in 2022, since the past two years have shown that it’s better to expect the unexpected.

But as we’re getting ready for a fresh start, there’s a couple of events that are worth keeping an eye on next year:

Omicron and its impact on economic growth.

Inflation, which risks staying too high for too long.

Major political elections (French presidency, US midterms, …)

China’s housing bubble that might burst.

Global political instability, including tensions between China and Taiwan. 

Since all these events have the potential to upset global economies and markets, we will keep our finger on the pulse to see how they can affect your investments and precious metal savings.

But for now, let’s make a wish for 2022 🌠 . 

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Good thing central banks can't print gold. 😉

21.9% Annual Inflation... and Counting

Despite slowing down, the frenzy around silver has kept prices up, and demand for physical bars and coins strong, while doubts over the state of the silver stocks emerge. Is Silver Setting the Stage for a Breakout?

Is Silver Setting the Stage for a Breakout?

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17/02/22: The European Central Bank could raise interest rates in 2022, the gold price goes up as tensions over Ukraine resurface, Switzerland lifts most Covid-19 restrictions. And more.

Weekly Digest: ECB Rate Hikes, Gold Up on Ukraine Tensions

Choosing between gold and silver: A comparison to help you decide which metal might be right for you.

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Reddit and the Wall Street Silver crowd are planning a new #Silversqueeze. With more coordination and hindsight, will they succeed in rising the silver price? 

#Silversqueeze 2.0?                         

The Federal Reserve’s inflation goals are getting risky and could cause the rate to overheat dangerously if they were to push it too hard.

The Fed’s Dangerous Game

Meet GOLD AVENUE CEO, Alessandro Soldati, in our first Q&A video session!

Q&A with our CEO - Alessandro Soldati

The Fed desperately wants higher inflation that would exceed its 2% target. Will the ECB follow the lead? It looks like it. 

Does the European Central Bank Want High Inflation?

24/02/22: Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the S&P is in a correction for the first time since the 2020 Wall Street plunge, gold hits a 20-month high. And more. 

Weekly digest: Ukraine Crisis, Markets Shaken, Gold’s Up

Russia’s decision to remove the US dollar assets from its sovereign wealth fund and partially replace them by gold boosts the yellow metal’s importance as a strategic asset.

Russia's New Move on Gold

After yet another central bank starts considering negative interest rates, we’re taking a look at how unlimited debt can impact physical gold investment.

Is Unlimited Debt Good for Gold?

World markets have taken a hit as the Russian invasion of Ukraine spooked investors around the globe. Here’s what you can do right now to protect your investment portfolio and gold savings.

Ukraine-Russia Conflict: What Impact on Your Savings?

You probably noticed certain industries and communities aren’t bouncing back as quickly as others during times of recession or economic crisis. That’s what the K-shaped recovery is all about.

What the K-Shaped Recovery Means for Gold

03/03/22: Markets are on a wild rollercoaster ride, Eurozone inflation at a record high, Russia intensifies its invasion of Ukraine, gold proves itself as a safe haven. And more.

Weekly digest: inflation rising, Russia sanctions, gold gains

You want to start investing but you don't know where to start? Here is a beginner’s guide to investing.

How to Start Investing in 2023? Here's What You Need to Know

The #silversqueeze movement took the investment world by storm and has the potential of shaking up the silver market. Will it be here for the long term?

#silversqueeze

Here’s a rare sneak peek into one of the world’s biggest gold refineries. 

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10/03/22: Gold and palladium hit a record high, oil records its worst day since November, Biden signs an executive order on crypto. And more. 

Weekly digest: Metals on the Rise, Oil Drops, Crypto Order

In 2021, central banks continued buying gold, with emerging countries stepping up as key net buyers. Do you wonder why? Here’s what you need to know.

Central Bank Gold Buying Explained

With inflation soaring in Europe and the U.S, learn how to navigate higher consumer prices from this great personal finance video from Sorelle Amore.

5 Ways to Protect Your Wealth From Inflation

17/03/22: The Fed has raised interest rates for the 1st time since 2018, one of Brazil’s biggest funds goes for gold, E.U.'s rethinking gas supplies. And more.

Weekly Digest: Fed’s 1st Rate Hike, Gold in Demand

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, investors rushed to gold, the world’s oldest safe-haven asset, pushing its price to a new record. Why did this happen? Here’s what you need to know. 

Investor Gold Demand is Booming Right Now: Here's Why 

On August 15, 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon possibly made the biggest monetary error in history. A video from Libre & Riche will tell you why.

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24/07/22: The U.K. hit by the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, Powell finally admits inflation is “much too high”, European stocks drop. And more.

Weekly Digest: Cost of Living Crisis, Inflation Problem

The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced its first interest rate hike since 2018. What could this mean for the gold price? Here’s what you need to know. 

How Interest Rate Hikes Affect the Gold Price

31/03/22: European inflation soars to new heights, Russia resumes gold purchases, no breakthrough seen in Ukraine war despite renewed peace talks. And more. 

Weekly Digest: EU Inflation Runs Hot, Ukraine Peace Talks

It seems that the ongoing US presidential election has not changed the situation in the gold market so far as the macro backdrop remains quite favorable to the yellow metal.

Trump + Biden = Gold?

Do you want to buy gold bars but are not sure where to start? Here’s what you need to know to build your precious metals portfolio in a smart way.

How Do You Buy Physical Gold Bars? 

The backdrop of global inflation in the U.S. and Europe was already worrying. Now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is making the situation even worse, including sending gas prices soaring to record levels. Here’s what you need to know.

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07/04/22: More and more people are worried about rising consumer prices, experts think the U.S. recession is inevitable, cryptocurrencies are facing some privacy issues. And more.

Weekly Digest: Inflation Worries, U.S. Recession

It looks like stagflation could be here soon. Here’s what you need to know to understand the economic phenomenon that stifled growth through the 1970s.

What Is Stagflation and Why Should We Worry About It?

14/4/22: U.S. inflation hit 8.5% in March, the highest since 1981, EU ban on Russian gas could spark a sharp recession in Germany, Ukraine peace talks “at a dead end.” And more.

Weekly Digest: U.S. Inflation at 40-Year High, German Recession Risk 

Leading world banks say we should get ready for a new recession shock. What does it mean exactly, and what investments might be the best place to stash your hard-earned money?

Recession Risk is Rising, Economists Say. Here's What It Means for Investors

21/04/2022: The IMF cuts its global economic growth forecast, UN says the war in Ukraine could create a global food crisis “beyond anything seen since World War II,” Macron and Le Pen fight for the presidency. And more.

Weekly Digest: IMF Cuts Growth Forecast, Hunger Threat

If you are a parent, you probably want to find the best way to set your kids up for financial success. Here’s how your gold savings will help you start building their lifelong wealth.

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Easy is always right. Especially when it comes to buying precious metals. If you still don’t know what’s the easiest way to buy gold, you’re in the right place.

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28/4/22: Russia halts gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, the Fed is set for more aggressive rate hikes to tame inflation, Musk seals the deal to buy Twitter. And more.

Weekly Digest: Russia’s Gas Cutoff, Musk’s Twitter Deal

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04/05/22: The Fed is set to fight inflation with the fastest rate hikes in decades, Fitch trims China’s 2022 growth forecast amid Covid-19 lockdowns, two Argentinian banks will allow crypto trading. And more.

Weekly Digest: Fed Rate Hike, Cuts to China’s Growth Forecast 

Here are the 4 handy tips you can immediately put into practice when buying physical gold for the first time.

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Swissmint made history as they issued their first-ever 50-franc Vreneli gold coin on May 11, 2022, making a very special coin even more popular in Switzerland and beyond.

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12/05/22: U.S. inflation stays at a 40-year high, defying expectations of a bigger drop, crypto and stocks fall, reacting to the U.S. inflation data. And more.

Weekly Digest: U.S. Inflation, Stocks, Crypto Crash

The end of Bretton Woods seems to be an essential reason behind the widening of the productivity-pay gap that reveals gold's influence as a source of stability.

What is the Productivity–Pay Gap?

A quick overview of the performance of gold versus some of the major commodities for the first half of 2020.

🔥 Gold VS Commodities 🔥

You read in the press that persistently high inflation has finally peaked and should be going down soon. But the latest CPI numbers show it might not be entirely true. Here’s why.

Has Inflation Peaked? Here's What You Need to Know to Understand Inflation

19/05/22: U.S. stocks post the biggest daily drop in almost two years, Sri Lanka default hints at troubles ahead for developing nations, E.U. slashes growth forecast. And more.

Weekly Digest: Dow Tumbles, Food Inflation Getting Worse

Since the start of 2022, the stock market has been on a wild ride, while gold was close to hitting a new record high in March. Which has performed better so far? We guess you already know.🙃

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While the Fed is taking a dovish stance, investors are fearing a real rise in inflation in the near future.

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25/05/2022: U.S. stocks slumped again amid economic data, the global food crisis risks causing a “messy” migration in Europe, Bitcoin could fall to $8,000. And more.

Weekly Digest: Stocks Slump, ‘Messy’ Migration Risk in Europe

Have you been thinking of investing in platinum bars and coins? Here’s what you need to know about one of the world’s rarest precious metals.

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02/06/22: The Eurozone inflation hits a new record high, JPMorgan Chase CEO warns of the economic hurricane, EU leaders agree to ban most Russian crude imports. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Eurozone Inflation, Economic Hurricane

09/06/22: The OECD has lowered its growth forecast for this year, Eurozone inflation is expected to peak, U.K. economy is facing stagnation. And more.

Weekly Digest: OECD Cuts Growth Forecast, EU Inflation to Peak

Central banks are rushing to raise interest rates to tackle rising consumer prices in Europe. There are a few things we can learn from them about fighting inflation.

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Thanks to GOLD AVENUE, Tibo InShape was able to enter the famous gold refinery MKS PAMP. Watch the video and follow Tibo in his discovery of gold!

Tibo InShape & GOLD AVENUE: visit of a gold refinery in Switzerland!

16/06/22: Fed announced a historic rate hike, a U.S. recession is looming, bitcoin is plunging, U.K. economy is shrinking, China’s contact with aliens. And more. 

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GOLD AVENUE’s CEO Alessandro Soldati was selected by Bilan magazine as one of French-speaking Switzerland's most promising young entrepreneurs.

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If you are considering buying silver bars and coins, there are a few things you need to know first about one of the world’s most valuable and accessible precious metals.

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Country-specific guides to understand gold as an investment in 2021 from the World Gold Council.

The relevance of gold as a strategic asset: 2021

Famous precious metal skeptic buys gold as a hedge against accelerating inflation which he says is “reminiscent of the 1970s”.

Lifelong Gold Skeptic Makes Major U-Turn

23/06/22: The stock market dropped as recession fears grow, UK inflation hits a new 40-year high, Bitcoin could plunge to a low of $13,000. And more.

Weekly Digest: Stock Rally Fizzles, Recession Risk

While stocks and bitcoin went down sharply due to rising inflation and uncertain economic outlook, gold has retained its value, exactly when investors and savers needed it. 

Bitcoin, stocks, gold: What is the best investment today?

29/06/22: Morgan Stanley sees a mild recession coming to the Eurozone this year, G7 countries agree to ban gold imports from Russia, German inflation eases. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Eurozone Recession, Ban on Russian Gold

What does the future hold for gold? Here are the 4 trends that could make the yellow metal shine in the nearest future.

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07/07/2022: Gold drops over 2% in a selloff sparked by a strong dollar, U.K.'s Johnson is expected to step down, higher interest rates are unlikely to solve the inflation problem. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Gold Inches Down, Johnson to Resign 

A gold hunt story that captivated thousands and inspired a decade-long obsession with the famous Forrest Fenn treasure.

The Mysterious Hunt for Forrest Fenn's Gold Treasure

14/07/22: U.S. inflation accelerates to 9.1%, Europe is on high alert over Russia’s gas squeeze, NASA reveals the most detailed pictures of deep space ever taken. And more.