Peter's Blog

Spending Us Into Oblivion: Federal Budget Deficit Tops $1 Trillion in 2019 Calendar Year

The US federal government ran a budget deficit of over $1 trillion in the 2019 calendar year. It was the first budget deficit over $1 trillion in any calendar year since 2012 — in the midst of the Great Recession. The budget shortfall from January through December totaled $1.02 trillion, according to the latest report issued […]

The Fed “Out-Doves” Expectations While Doing Nothing

The Federal Reserve wrapped up its final Federal Open Market Committee meeting of 2019 on Wednesday doing pretty much what was expected — nothing. But in the processing of doing nothing, the central bank said a lot and managed to out-dove expectations. After cutting interest rates three times in 2019, the FOMC stood pat during […]

The Wealthy Are Hoarding Physical Gold

The world’s rich are hoarding gold – this according to data buried in a recent Goldman Sachs note to clients. In the note published over the weekend, Goldman recommended diversifying long-term bond holdings with gold, citing “fear-driven demand” for the yellow metal.

New Debt Record; Americans Propping Up the Economy With Money They Don’t Have

American consumers are still propping up the economy spending money they don’t have. But how long can it last? After a  slight slowdown in September, consumer borrowing jumped again and set another new record in October, according to the latest data released by the Federal Reserve.

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.