Peter's Blog

Some Doubt about the Economic Benefits of GOP Tax Reform

There’s a lot of optimism out there that passage of the Trump tax plan will juice the economy. Many analysts say tax cut optimism is one of the factors that continue to push stocks up, and that has created headwinds for gold and silver. But as we’ve pointed out, there are reasons to question this mainstream […]

Quantitative Easing Lives on in the EU

Central bank quantitative easing is a little like a zombie. It dies – but it never really dies. There’s been a lot of focus on the Federal Reserve raising interest rates and unwinding its balance sheet. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the Fed isn’t the only game in town. While most people consider QE dead […]

Alabama Bill Would Exempt Gold and Silver Bullion from Sales Tax; Help Encourage Its Use as Money

A bill prefiled in the Alabama House for the 2018 session would exempt the purchase of gold and silver bullion from state sales and use tax, encouraging its use and taking the first step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Ronald Johnson (R-Sylacauga) prefiled House Bill 19 (HB19). The legislation would exempt the gross […]

Gold Plays a Key Role in Chinese and Russian Plans for Economic Independence

China wants to dethrone the dollar. But of course, it’s not alone. Russia would also love to knock the US off the top of the economic mountain. Putin is also positioning his country to free itself from the dollar-dominated global financial system. Like its neighbor to the east, Russia is using gold to pave the […]

Are You Pawn Shop Ready?

The pawn shop is probably the last place you want to go if you find yourself strapped for cash. But an interesting article in a Filipino publication reveals a problem millennials face if they find themselves in a cash-crunch. They may have a harder time liquidating assets than their parents because they primarily spend their […]

China Aims to Dethrone the Dollar

Last month, the Nikkei Asian Review reported on a move by China that could take a first step toward dethroning the US dollar. The proposed launch of a gold-backed, yuan-denominated oil futures contract got a lot of attention in alt-media circles, but didn’t make much of a splash in the mainstream. But now the mainstream […]

Silver on Sale! Take Advantage of the Buying Opportunity

The price of silver is at extremely low levels compared to gold. That makes this a perfect time to invest in the white metal. Indians seem to recognize this buying opportunity. According to the Economic Times, silver demand was up 15% during this Dhanteras and Diwali festival season on increased purchases of coins, idols, and silverware. Analysts […]

Australia Looking to Impose Strict Regulations on Bitcoin

Australia is moving toward regulating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum under new anti-money laundering legislation. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Parliament will vote on the measure this week. If it passes, it will place Bitcoin and other cryptos under the auspices of Australia’s financial regulatory agency.

Smuggled Gold Pouring into India as Consumers Dodge Taxes

An increase in the import duty hasn’t dampened Indians’ appetite for gold. It’s just pushed the market underground. Gold is such an important part of the Indian economy, people will do whatever they have to in order to get their hands on the yellow metal – including skirt the law. According to a recent report by […]

On a Knife’s Edge: 3 Reasons the Next Crash Could Be Worse than Black Monday

Thirty years ago today, the US stock market had its worst single day in history. On Oct. 19, 1987, now known simply as “Black Monday,” the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 508 points. That represented 22.6% of its value. Over the last couple of year, stocks have enjoyed a meteoric rise. The Dow closed above 23,000 […]