Peter's Blog

Central Banks Keep Right on Buying Gold

Globally, central bank gold reserves charted another healthy gain in October as they continue their quest to diversify reserves away from the US dollar. Central banks added another net 41.8 tons of gold to their reserves in October, according to the latest data from the World Gold Council.

Top Slovak Party Leader Wants the Country to Bring Its Gold Home

A top Slovak political party official said his country should bring its gold home because even its allies cannot be trusted with it. Ex-Premier Robert Fico chairs the biggest party in Slovakia. Last week, he called for a special parliamentary session on the country’s gold. He said the country’s gold reserves are not safe in […]

The Lurking Inflation Monster

Where’s the inflation? The Federal Reserve printed money for nearly a decade, and yet, inflation – as measured by the government – has been “muted.” What gives?

Gold Set to Join the “All-Time Highs Club” — Bloomberg Intelligence

Gold is poised to join the “all-time-highs” club in the upcoming decade. No, this isn’t the musing of some gold-bug. It’s analysis from a pretty mainstream source — Bloomberg Intelligence. Stocks have set new records over the last several weeks and the dollar hit 2-year highs this fall. But writing in the commodity outlook, Bloomberg […]

Recession Early Warning? Spending By the Wealthy Is Slowing

America’s economy is built on consumption. Average Americans have been pushing the US economy along, spending money they don’t have. But as we’ve reported, there are signals that the credit cards might be close to maxed out. Now there appears to be another warning sign – the wealthy are reining in their spending.

Poland Brings Gold Home; Calls It a Symbol of Strength

Poland has repatriated 100 tons of gold from England. National Bank of Poland Governor Adam Glapiński announced the yellow metal’s return home on Monday. “The gold symbolizes the strength of the country,” Glapiński told reporters.

Is the Auto Loan Bubble Nearing Its Popping Point?

How much more can the auto loan bubble blow up before it pops? Total auto loans and leases outstanding for new and used vehicles increased by another 4.3% year-on-year in the third quarter, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve. This was a factor in pushing total American consumer debt to a new […]

Who Produces the World’s Gold?

Which countries produce most of the world’s gold? Gold mine output has flatlined over the last several years and that trend appears to be continuing in 2019. Gold production rose fractionally in 2018 by about 1% totaling 3,346.9 tons. That compared with 3,318.92 tons mined in 2017  — a modest 28-ton increase year-on-year. According to […]

Market Review: Improving Investor Sentiment Will Drive Silver Prices Higher

Improving investor sentiment will drive silver prices higher. This was the conclusion drawn from the Metals Focus/Silver Institute Interim Silver Market Review. Metals Focus director Philip Newman presented the data during the Annual Silver Industry Dinner hosted by the Silver Institute. His presentation featured historical supply and demand statistics and provisional estimates for 2019.

This Is Silver on Sale!

When the Federal Reserve started cutting interest rates last summer, the price of silver surged. The white metal rose 35% and peaked at close to $20 an ounce. Silver has given back some of those gains in recent weeks, primarily due to optimism about a possible trade deal with China. But fundamentally, nothing in the […]