Peter's Blog

CPI Housing Cost Calculation Hides True Extent of Inflation

The government CPI data for August came in slightly under expectations. Nevertheless, a 0.3% month-on-month increase in prices is significant. And a dig into the numbers reveals something wonky. The way the government calculates housing costs drastically understates rising prices and skews overall CPI to the downside.

Gold’s Growing Role in Healthcare

A couple of years ago, CNBC commentator Jim Leventhal made a pretty astounding comment. When asked about gold, Leventhal said he had no interest in it because gold has no uses as a metal. Of course, this is nonsense. Gold has a wide range of uses in sectors ranging from jewelry to high-tech electronics. And […]

Federal Budget Deficit Continues Its Relentless Upward Spiral

The US government ran a $170.64 billion budget deficit in August, pushing the total fiscal 2021 budget shortfall to $2.71 trillion with one month to go, according to the latest Monthly Treasury Statement. The mainstream media spun this as good news, noting that the August deficit was 15% lower than the $200 billion spending gap […]

Incentives Matter: Unemployment Edition

Both Janet Yellen and Joe Biden insisted “enhanced” unemployment benefits weren’t incentivizing people not to work. The numbers prove them wrong.

Producer Prices Surge Again in August

Producer prices came in hot again in August, charting the biggest annual gain in nearly 11 years. This indicates “transitory” inflation isn’t going away any time soon. The PPI for August rose 0.7% month-on-month. Economists were forecasting a 0.6% rise. This follows on the heels of two straight months with producer prices increasing 1.0%.

The Fed Is Helping Facilitate Trailer Park Evictions

The Federal Reserve is helping corporate real estate investors evict poor people from mobile home parks.

Central Banks Globally Added More Gold in July

Central banks continued to add gold to their reserves in July, according to the latest data from the World Gold Council. Led by Brazil’s 8.5-ton purchase, central banks globally bought a net 30.1 tons of gold.

Facing Inflation Threat, German Investors Loading Up on Gold

While most American investors have faith that the Federal Reserve can and will successfully tighten monetary policy to fight inflation — or have simply bought into the “transitory” inflation narrative — Germans are loading up on gold as a hedge against growing inflationary pressures.

Personal Incomes Rising; Inflation Eating Them Up

Personal income is rising. But inflation is eating it up. Before factoring in inflation, personal income from all sources rose by 2.7% in July year-on-year. The month-on-month gain was a solid 1.1%. This includes wages, stimulus payments, transfer payments (unemployment, Social Security benefits, etc.) along with income from other sources such as interest, dividends, and […]

Ohio Repeals Sales Tax on Gold and Silver Bullion

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently signed a bill into law exempting gold and silver bullion and coins from sales tax. This will not only relieve some of the tax burdens on investors in the state; it will also take a step toward treating gold and silver as money instead of as commodities.