Peter's Blog

Gold Demand Surges in China as Production Sags

The Chinese are buying gold again after a slump in consumer demand last year. Meanwhile, Chinese gold production is falling. According to data released by the China Gold Association, gold demand rose 15.5% through the first three quarters of 2017. Demand totaled 815.9 tons, pushed upward by a resurgent jewelry market.

It’s a Phony Debate: Jim Rickards Weighs in on Bitcoin Vs. Gold

Financial guru Jim Rickards weighed in on the Bitcoin vs. gold debate and came down firmly on the side of the yellow metal. In fact, he’s said there really shouldn’t be a debate. Bitcoin and gold are two totally different things. Rickards responded to a recent note published by Goldman Sachs declaring that Bitcoin is not […]

US Savings Rate at Lowest Level Since the Great Recession

Americans are spending money, but it appears they are dipping into their savings to do it. According to data released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, savings last month fell to a level not seen since 2007. The 3.1% rate in September was the lowest since it dipped to 3.0% in December 2007. In […]

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 […]