Outside The Dollar

Gold, Silver, and 25 Years of Performance Data

Gold outperformed both the Dow and real estate over the past 25 years, turning a $100,000 investment made in 2000 into $744,730 by comparison. This episode examines why billionaire Eric Sprott holds 98% of his wealth in precious metals, why Bond King Jeff Gundlach is recommending a 20% allocation to cash and hard assets in May 2026, and what both positions reveal about portfolio construction during periods of elevated equity valuations. Silver's near-7% surge to $86 an ounce amid stalled U.S.-Iran talks illustrates the real-time volatility that makes precious metals relevant beyond long-term holding strategies. The discussion also addresses President Trump's renewed interest in verifying Fort Knox's gold reserve, connecting sovereign-level gold logic to individual investor decisions. Data referenced includes DoubleLine Capital's current market outlook and a 25-year asset comparison anchored to the year 2000.

Recession Signals: Gold, Silver, and What 2026 May Bring

Veteran forecaster Gary Shilling is warning of a 2026 recession driven by a frozen housing market, weakening consumers, and stretched stock valuations. In this week's episode, Elena Reyes examines five converging economic signals — from Shilling's recession call to a 50-percent oil surge near the Strait of Hormuz — and explains what the pattern may mean for investors holding or considering precious metals. She walks through softening Treasury demand, Ray Dalio's systemic risk warnings, and why gold and silver are drawing renewed attention as tangible assets during a period of fiscal stress. Silver's role across AI, robotics, and clean energy supply chains receives particular focus, anchored by Morgan Stanley's $5 trillion humanoid robot market projection. The analysis draws on reporting from Fox Business and CNBC published in May 2026, alongside current spot price data and institutional research from Lear Capital.

Is Your Retirement Actually Keeping Up With Inflation?

The Federal Reserve's sharpest internal disagreement since 1992 is sending a clear signal to retirement savers about the road ahead. In this week's discussion, Kathrynn examines how stagflation conditions, elevated oil-driven inflation expectations, and Fed uncertainty combine to quietly erode the purchasing power of retirement portfolios even when account balances appear stable. The conversation covers gold and silver as diversification tools during inflationary periods, addresses the recent 11% pullback in precious metals with institutional context from JPMorgan and Citigroup, and explains how a Gold IRA functions in practical terms for near-retirees and those already in retirement. Understanding wealth through a purchasing power lens rather than a nominal dollar balance is the central framework applied throughout. Data points draw from a CNBC economic survey, Ray Dalio's published stagflation warning, and institutional gold projections current through May 2026.

Silver Eagles and the Gold Rush: Who's Winning?

Central banks are accumulating gold at a pace that analysts now describe as a direct credibility challenge to dollar-denominated reserves. Elena examines how China's sustained gold buying, accelerated in the wake of Russia's 2022 reserve freeze, has reshaped the strategic calculus around precious metals allocation for sovereign institutions and individual savers alike. She breaks down the two variables that most reliably move gold prices—real interest rates and dollar strength—and explains why the current divergence between central bank demand and moderate retail participation has historically resolved in favor of the longer-term institutional trend. The April 2026 environment frames a broader discussion of silver's relative valuation through the gold-to-silver ratio, alongside Lear Capital's exclusive 1.5 oz Silver Eagle and the distinction between spot value and numismatic premium. Analysis draws on Forbes reporting covering China's central bank gold accumulation strategy.