by Craig Hemke
Sprott Money
Are Tariffs Causing a Gold Shortage?
Over the past few weeks, much has been said and written about how the current threat of tariffs from the U.S. could lead to shortages of deliverable gold and silver on COMEX. But are tariffs and the threat of tariffs the real explanation for the unusual things we’re seeing in the precious metals markets?
Why Is There a Spread Between Spot and Futures Prices?
What are those “unusual things” we’re seeing? A current and widening spread between the spot and futures prices. Under “normal” conditions, that spread in gold might be just a few dollars, but recently it has been as high as $40 or more. What’s the deal?