Peter's Blog

Is this Really the Scariest Chart in the World?

True Economics called it “the scariest chart in the world.” That may be a little bit of hyperbole, but a chart showing declining average rates of growth during each economic expansionary period since the 1950s is certainly cause for concern.

Puerto Rico Bankruptcy a Flashing Warning Sign for the US

Puerto Rico officially plunged into bankruptcy this week. Years of accumulating debt and misguided government policies finally reached their inevitable end. The bankruptcy means more pain for the people of Puerto Rico, as well as bondholders who have virtually no hope of ever getting their money back. But beyond that, it serves as a giant, […]

Fed Holds Steady But Keeps Talking Rate Hikes; Will They Happen?

The Federal Reserve held pat on interest rates at its May meeting. The Federal Open Market Committee unanimously voted to keep the benchmark rate target at 0.75 percent to 1 percent. The Fed continued to express optimism about the state of the US economy despite the recent slowdown in growth and hinted future hikes remain […]

Global Demand for Physical Gold Up in First Quarter

Global demand for physical gold increased by 9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2017, according to the latest demand report from the World Gold Council. The sale of gold bars and gold coins hit 289.8 tons worldwide in Q1, driven by Asia’s appetite for gold. The WGC said the strength of the retail investment […]

Silver News: Institutional Investment Pushes Price Higher; US Jewelry Sales Robust

The Silver Institute has released the April issue of Silver News. This edition highlights rising silver prices pushed by strong institutional investment. The price of silver had increased by about 11% as of April 25. According to the Silver Institute, improving sentiment among institutional investors has helped drive up the price. Changing expectations towards the […]

Indians Buy More than 23 Tons of Gold on a Single Day

As predicted, festival-goers rushed to buy gold in celebration of Akshay Tritiya in India this year. According to the Economic Times, gold sales increased more than 30% during the important Hindu holiday celebrated on April 28. All-told, Indians bought more than 23 tons of gold that day. Akshay Tritiya ranks as one of the four […]

Why is Gold a Better Form of Money Then Paper?

You’ve probably heard people say gold is real money, but what does that actually mean? Is there some fundamental difference between gold and the green pieces of paper stuffed in your wallet that we call money? As investment guru Doug Casey put it, “The dollar is, technically, a currency. A currency is a government substitute […]

Chinese Gold Production Plummets as Demand Increases

As Asia regains its appetite for gold, production in the region appears to be dropping. The trend could ultimately have an impact on global markets. According to a rare report issued by the China Gold Association, the country’s first quarter gold production dropped  9.3% year-on-year, falling from 111.563 tons in Q1 2016 to 101.197 tons […]

Venezuelan President Continues Failed Policy of Minimum Wage Hikes

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has solved the country’s economic problems! On Sunday he raised the country’s minimum wage 60%. CNN called the wage-hike “significant.” “The latest hike brings the minimum wage to 65,021 bolivares per month, up from 40,638. With an additional food stamp hike, that brings the country’s wage to 200,021 bolivares per month. […]

Asia Regaining Its Appetite for Gold

It appears Asia is regaining its appetite for gold. The yellow metal has steadily been migrating from the West to the East over the last few years, with China becoming a more and more dominant player in the world gold market. Traditionally, the two biggest consumers of gold in the world are China and India; […]