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 […]

Peter Schiff: Too Much Money; Not Enough Stuff

For the first time in nine months, the government CPI data came in under expectations. Prices rose by 0.3% last month, just below the 0.4% projection. Year on year, the CPI was up 5.3%. Core inflation, stripping out more volatile food and energy (for those of you who don’t eat or use energy) was up […]

Recent CPI Dip May Prove “Transitory”

The latest seasonally adjusted month-over-month inflation rate was 0.3% (vs. .4% expected), with a non-seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.3% (vs 5.4% expected). The reason for the fall from July’s .47% pace was spread across multiple categories, specifically Commodities, Food, Shelter, and Transportation. While the CPI drop-off since the June peak appears to prove the […]

Breaking Down the $171 Billion August Federal Budget Deficit

The Federal Budget Deficit for August 2021 was $171B which was down from the $302B in July. The chart below shows the Federal Budget for the previous 18 months.

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%.

Peter Schiff: Inflation Will Win in a Knockout!

A lot of investors are disappointed in gold. After all, many buy gold because of inflation. Even with rapidly rising prices, the yellow metal hasn’t delivered as you might expect. During his virtual speech for the Money Show, Peter Schiff explains exactly what is going on. He said in the end, gold will be vindicated […]

Fun on Friday: Treasure Hunt

When I walk the beach, I look for sharks’ teeth. Over the years, I’ve developed a pretty good eye for them. In fact, I’ve filled an entire lamp with sharks’ teeth. Not too long ago, I was walking the beach with my son and there were no sharks’ teeth to be found. Frustrated, I told […]