General Motors Company (GM), Ford Motor Company (F): 8 Fascinating Reads

Between a golden rock and a hard place
The Wall Street Journal writes about what falling gold prices are doing to gold miners:

On top of falling metals prices, miners face rising costs. The cost of mining an ounce of gold rose to $775 in 2012 from $280 in 2005, according to BMO. That has left many miners spending more money than they are earning. The shortfall was addressed by raising funds with bonds and shares, but those markets are getting increasingly harder to access.

Bear markets
Like newspapers, baseball cards are quickly dying, writes The New York Times:

As much as nostalgists might like to protect the collecting hobby with the type of clear cellophane case that keeps vintage cards from aging, interest has faded from its peak period.

“The standard card is no longer a draw enough for an average baseball fan,” said Tom Bartsch, the editor of the Sports Collectors Digest. “It won’t ever be what it was. It’s a different culture now.” …

Berkus estimated that the amount of money from card sales across the country each year has declined by nearly two thirds from its peak. Illustrating the trend is the reduction in the number of manufacturers licensed by Major League Baseball to one this season, from five during collecting’s heyday, though at least two other companies still churn out cards.

Education
Got 45 minutes? Billionaire investor Bill Ackman will tell you everything you need to know about finance:

Enjoy your weekend.

The article 8 Fascinating Reads originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Morgan Housel.

Fool contributor Morgan Housel has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Ford and General Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of Ford.

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