As the U.S. Stock Market Bubble continues upward toward a giant pin, there are some interesting developments that precious metals investors will find quite interesting. Yes, there’s still a lot of life left in the precious metals, even though pessimistic market sentiment has frustrated a lot of gold and silver investors.

Also, even though precious metals investment demand in the U.S. has fallen 40+% compared to the same time last year, it continues to be strong in other parts of the world. For example, German physical gold bar and coin demand increased 8% in the first half of 2017 versus the same period last year, while U.S. fell by 45%. Moreover, flows into European Gold ETF’s hit a record during the second quarter of 2017:

Now, if we look at what is going on with gold and Central Bank demand, Russia takes the first price.According to the article by Smaulgld, Russia Steps Up Gold Purchase With Massive Buy In September:

If you haven’t already checked out Louis’s work at Smaulgld.com, I highly recommend you do. So, as the German public and Russian Central bank continue to increase their gold holdings, Americans have cut back considerably, or worse… have been liquidating. Furthermore, the U.S. gold market is suffering another deficit this year. As of July 2017, U.S. gold mine supply and imports totaled 288 metric tons (mt) while exports were 290 mt. Thus, we have exported ALL of our gold mine supply and imports overseas. (NOTE:1 Metric Ton = 32,150 troy oz.)

You see, the Federal Reserve and Wall Street have done a marvelous job in totally lobotomizing the American public in regards to gold as money. American citizens have no idea that the printing cost of $1,300 worth of $100 bills (13) costs $1.95, whereas one ounce of gold valued at $1,300 production cost is $1,150-$1,200. The U.S. Dollar was backed by gold up until 1971 but is now backed by the $20+ trillion in debt.