The GDP growth reported last week was the strongest since 2014. The ongoing economic expansion was a big story in the financial press. However, another major story just might wind up carrying more significance for metals investors.

Social media giants Facebook and Twitter crashed by roughly 20% after admitting subscriber growth was way behind projections and revenues were lower than expected. There are a couple of reasons that metals investors may want to take note.

The first is that technology companies in general may finally be reaching the point where they have trouble meeting investors’ sky-high expectations.

Facebook and Twitter weren’t the only two Silicon Valley companies to suffer in last week’s trading.

Shares of stalwarts such as Intel also fell and the NASDAQ index lost nearly 2.5%.

One week of price action isn’t a trend, of course. It is simply worth keeping an eye on because the equity markets appear vulnerable.

Valuations and expectations are off the charts, and it wouldn’t be too hard for the markets to disappoint investors more generally. Shaken confidence in stocks is one road to higher gold and silver prices, as safe-haven assets come back into vogue.