Peter's Blog

Chinese Bank to Become Part of Silver Price-Setting Mechanism

A Chinese bank will soon join the London Bullion Market Associations (LBMA) silver price-setting process. According to a Reuters report, China Construction Bank signed a memorandum of understanding with CME Group. It will join HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, Mitsui & Co Precious Metals, Bank of Nova Scotia – ScotiaMocatta, Toronto Dominion Bank, and UBS in taking […]

China Increasing Gold Holdings at Steady Pace

The Chinese central bank continues to increase its gold holdings at a steady pace. Figures released by the People’s Bank of China indicate its gold stash went up another 1% in September, according to a Reuters report: Gold reserves rose by 480,000 fine troy ounces, or 14.9 tons, to 54.93 million ounces, or 1,708.5 tons […]

Wal-Mart’s Problems Point to Deeper Issues in US Economy

Wal-Mart’s problems may well reflect deeper issues in the US economy. The giant retailer announced Wednesday that profits could drop as much a 12% in the next year. It’s stock plummeted 10% on the news. Company officials also warned they now expect sales growth for the current fiscal year to be flat. In February, the […]

Billionaire Paul Singer Says Gold Under-Owned, As Precious Metals Rally

The price of gold is rallying on growing uncertainly about a Federal Reserve interest rate hike and fears companies may disappoint already low expectations with third quarter earnings reports. No wonder billionaire Paul Singer said every investor should buy gold. According to a Bloomberg report, Singer criticized monetary policy makers for a “staggered economic recovery” […]

Increasing Demand for Gold for Industrial Applications

Investors are well-aware of the numerous industrial applications for silver, and it often factors into analysis of the white metal’s demand. But gold also has industrial applications. And while investment and jewelry primarily drive the demand for gold, its use in industrial applications continues to expand, representing a growing market for the precious metal. Gold […]

Foreign Banks Dumping US Debt at Record Pace

China, along with other central banks, are selling US government bonds at the fastest rate on record, according to the Wall Street Journal. WSJ calls it “a dramatic shift” in the bond market: Foreign official net sales of U.S. Treasury debt maturing in at least a year hit $123 billion in the 12 months ended in […]

Late’s Restaurant Early to the Barter Party

Walk into the small restaurant near the shore of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and the smell of burgers and deep-fried cheese curds will assault your senses. According to the Blaze, locals will tell you Late’s has the best burger in town. It’s a throwback kind of restaurant, complete with a long, winding dining counter […]

Looming Court Decision Could Hasten Pop of Student Loan Bubble

A federal case now under consideration in the First Circuit Court of Appeals  could have huge ramifications for millions of Americans buried under student loan debt, as well as lenders and US taxpayers. Bloomberg reports Robert Murphy is closer than ever to victory:

News Flash: Silver Demand Unabated; Perth Mint Sales Surge

After record-breaking world-wide silver demand in the third quarter of 2015, the surge continued in September, with Bloomberg reporting sales at the Perth Mint in Australia hit the highest level in at least three years last month. Sales of silver coins and minted bars jumped to 3.35 million ounces in September from 707,656 ounces the […]

Goldman Says Fed Likely to Hold Off Rate Hike as Negative Data Pours In

Goldman Sachs officials are ready to push back their rate hike forecast to late 2016. As Bloomberg reported, they are hedging their bets on a December rate hike (probably to save face): Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said there’s a chance U.S. policy makers will delay raising interest rates well into next year. While Goldman Sachs’s […]