Liberty and Finance, Released on 12/31/24

In this 2024 year end panel discussion featuring Andy Schectman, Alasdair Macleod, and Bill Holter, the tone is starkly cautionary as they analyze the fragile state of global financial markets. The conversation highlights a rapidly deteriorating situation where the dollar is on a “slippery slope” and market dynamics show, among the insiders, an overwhelming number of sellers compared to buyers. Schectman, Macleod, and Holter point out that, while gold has made significant gains, investor enthusiasm remains low, with the public continuing to unload assets while institutional investors quietly buy. They all agree that the real economy is slowing down, with the ominous possibility of a 2025 downturn resembling the Great Depression of 1929. The trio also emphasizes the risks facing the banking system, which is attempting to de-risk itself, but is still vulnerable to a larger collapse.

0:00 Intro
2:41 2024 takeaways
8:30 Secret central bank gold buying
15:05 Insider selling
19:00 Global credit bubble
30:45 Retail market update
44:29 2025 look ahead

Alasdair Macleod is head of research for GoldMoney. Alasdair has been a celebrated stockbroker and Member of the London Stock Exchange for over four decades. His experience encompasses equity and bond markets, fund management, corporate finance and investment strategy. Read Macleod’s writing: https://www.goldmoney.com/research and MacleodFinance Substack.

Bill Holter is currently a writer for Miles Franklin and Jim Sinclair’s Mineset where he posts weekly commentaries on gold and financial markets. Prior to joining Miles Franklin in 2012, Bill Holter Worked as a retail stockbroker for 23 years, including 12 years as a branch manager at A.G. Edwards. Later, he left Wall Street to avoid potential liabilities related to management of paper assets. Bill was a well-known contributor to the Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee (GATA) commentaries from 2007-2012. Bill became a writer for Jim Sinclair’s Mineset in 2015. Bill’s commentary can also be found at BillHolter.com.

Andy Schectman is the President and CEO of Miles Franklin Ltd. Precious Metals. Prior to starting Miles Franklin, Ltd. in 1989, Andrew became a Licensed Financial Planner, specializing in Swiss Franc Investments and alternative investments. At Miles Franklin Ltd., a company that has eclipsed $5 billion in sales, Andrew has developed an operation that maintains trust, collaboration, and ethical behavior, superior customer service and satisfaction to better serve their clients. He is responsible for overseeing the firm’s operations and business functions; including strategy and planning, account management, finance, and new business.

  Andy Schectman, gold, market crash, precious metals, silver