NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[CogDiss 1188X]

The biggest mystery about the markets in general, is how and why they are holding up, at the same time as economies are already in unprecedented recession with a deep and sustained depression to follow.

I agree that the other shoe will eventually drop with regard to the long-term negative effects of the lockdown on the economy and unemployment. At that point, the market will correct significantly. But until then, it seems to be a “Don’t fight the Fed” period in the market. And Powell’s recent announcement of 2% average inflation (this tolerating periods of 2+% inflation) seems like he just turned the monetary spigot yet again. Wall Street definitely takes this to mean easy monetary policy for as far as we can see at this point. I’m assuming another leg up in the market, unless the political situation deteriorates significantly.

Also, covid deaths seemed to have peaked in the US at the end of July and new cases a week earlier, which I took as a minor buy signal, assuming they would both roll over and more people would be more comfortable with getting on with their lives as much as possible.

There has also been some positive news on possible treatments and some “progress” toward a vaccine, however premature and unwarranted that may be.

Given these factors, I began buying in April and was back to fully invested by the end of July. However, I am keeping a close eye on the exit and am looking for opportunities to take some money off the table.

Re: gold: There was a key podcast on NPR in which a chemist is interviewed regarding why gold became money. A strong case is made for its lasting value from a scientific perspective:

https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2011/02/07/131363098/the-tuesday-podcast-why-gold


Here’s a great book on how gold oscillates around a constant value in inflation-adjusted terms through the centuries:

The Golden Constant: The English and American Experiences 1560 - 2007.

https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Constant-American-Experience-1560-2007/dp/1847202616/ref=mp_s_a_1_1


Not sure why it’s so expensive. Typically, it’s banned and marginalized books that go for $100+. I think I got my new copy for around $137 five years ago. Very pricey indeed, but I planned on sinking up to 25% of my investments in gold (being a follower of the Permanent Portfolio approach) and felt the unique statistics and analysis provided was worth it in that context.

Perhaps there’s a copy in a library somewhere.


Here’s a review by a professional economist, who trashes the book:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pierre_Hautcoeur/publication/227348732_Jastram_R_W_The_Golden_Constant/links/5eadb05645851592d6b49d6e/Jastram-R-W-The-Golden-Constant.pdf?origin=publication_detail


Here’s one from the World Gold Council, obviously more laudatory:

https://www.exchangetradedgold.com/media/ETG/file/GoldCons_Summary_Final3_US_med.pdf

And at worst... well, I won't speculate here, beyond the well-known risk of disease enhancement.

Well, I wonder how well known it is that vaccines against respiratory diseases typically make the disease worse? The narrative is we can’t go back to normal until we have a vaccine and many seem to be hanging their hats on that.

Good luck with your prepping! I need to restock some things in case covid v2.0 is released, metaphorically speaking.