Plain-language market explainers
Metals, commodities and market investing, explained
PGM Blog is a plainspoken explainer for self-directed investors: what actually moves bullion, ore and the rates behind them, written to be read once and understood.
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Latest explainers
The most recent pieces on this site, newest first.
Junior Mining Stocks Explained for Beginners (October 2026)
junior mining stocks explained for beginners: how these companies make money, why the shares move so much, and what to check before…
How to Research a Junior Mining Stock: A Beginner’s Guide 2026
Learn how to research a junior mining stock in : stage, technical report, permits, diluted shares, cash runway, valuation, and the mistakes…
Proven vs Probable Reserves in Mining: A Clear Guide (2026)
Proven vs probable reserves in mining explained for : what each confidence class means, how reserves convert from resources, and what the…
How to Invest in Cattle and Livestock Futures in 2026
Learn how to invest in cattle and livestock futures: contract sizes, margin requirements, position sizing, and the risk rules beginners need before…
10 Mining Stock Red Flags to Watch For (October 2026)
Learn the 10 mining stock red flags to watch for in , from weak cash flow and rising debt to permitting risks,…
How to Value a Gold Mining Company: 2026 Valuation Guide
Learn how to value a gold mining company using reserves, grades, production, costs, mine life, capital needs and gold price scenarios, with…
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Reading the metals market
Where metals writing usually loses the reader
No price targets
Nobody knows where spot lands next quarter, so you will not find a forecast here dressed up as analysis.
The spread is part of the price
Premiums, storage and the gap between buying and selling decide what an ounce really costs you, so they belong in the explanation and not in a footnote.
Rates before narratives
Metals and commodities move with real yields, currencies and central bank policy, so the mechanism comes first and the story second.
About
Who this is written for
PGM Blog is written for self-directed investors who would rather understand a market than be hurried through it, in plain language and without the urgency.
It starts with precious metals and commodities, and widens into the rates, currencies and mining equities that move them. More about PGM Blog
Spotted something that reads wrong? Get in touch — corrections are welcome.