Yesterday and the overnite hit job in the PM’s, especially Silver, was because the criminals at the CME announced yet another margin hike that goes into effect tonight AFTER Friday’s close of trading.  While Gold is only being increased to 9% from 8%, Silver is being jacked up from 15% to 18%!  These three sets of margin increases, have come within one week and AFTER the huge run up in the metals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               While succeeding in dampening speculative fervor, they are going to drive trading away from paper and towards physical.  Actually a good thing, because with prices going bonkers, premiums and availability were becoming a challenge.  It will take some time for things to settle down but a slow, steady, moderate increase in prices over a long period of time, is likely to replace the wild gyrations we have experienced in the last two months.  Such a development is perfect for mining shares to benefit from the steady increase in cash flow and earnings.