United States

We were skeptical when two days ago we reported that Japan was contemplating investing some of the hundreds of billions of pension savings held in its massive, $1+ trillion GPIF pension fund into US infrastructure projects, a story which the GPIF itself quickly denied. However, we were all too clear about the motives behind this proposal trial ballooned by Prime Minister Abe: appease Trump in any way possible during next week's, Feb.

For the third week in a row, the US oil rig count rose dramatically (up 15 to 583 - the highest since October 2015). This is the biggest 3-week surge in rig counts since April 2013... (the biggest 3-week percentage gain since Nov 2009)

Production continues to trend with rig count...

However, as exuberant as this number is, job gains are nowhere to be found as the robotization of the industry (amid more 'real' costs of capital) provide no help to Americans...

With Macy's making the headlines in the past few days on speculation it was shopping itself for a potential buyer, a thesis first laid out by David Einhorn one year ago, moments ago the WSJ reported that Hudson's Bay, the Canadian owner of Saks and Lord and Taylor, has made a takeover approach for the landmark retailer, sending the shares of both companies surging, and tripping a circuit breaker for M, which was lst up just shy of 5%.

The likely catalyst for the sale is that Macy's veteran CEO, Terry Lundgren, announced last June he would be stepping down later this year.

Why Geopolitical Sabre-Rattling will be Good for the Gold Price

Submitted by Brandon Smith via Alt-Market.com,