Peter's Blog

How Long Before This Time Bomb Blows Up?

When governments started locking down economies in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Reserve sprung into action. The central bank immediately cut interest rates to zero and launched what we’ve called “QE infinity.” Since then, the Fed has ballooned its balance sheet by nearly $3 trillion and increased the money supply at a record […]

Rickards: Why Gold?

Why gold? In a recent article, Jim Rickards offers three reasons the biggest gains in gold prices are yet to come.

Wave of Corporate Mergers Could Put More Americans Out of Work

Last week, we reported on the number of temporary layoffs that are turning into permanent job losses.  Now Goldman Sachs is projecting even more permanent job losses coming down the pike as a wave of mergers, acquisitions and corporate takeovers sweeps through the economy.

Central Bank Digital Currencies: Another Front in the War on Cash

There has been a lot of talk lately about central banks implementing their own digital currencies. Why?

Silver Investment Demand Nearly Triples Through First Three Quarters of 2020

Holdings of silver in silver-backed Exchange-Trade Products (ETPs) rose by 297 million ounces through the first three quarters of 2020, according to data released by the Silver Institute. That’s nearly triple the level of silver inflows seen during the same period in 2019. Meanwhile, investors also had a strong appetite for silver bullion coins and […]

Why Do We Put So Much Faith in Central Bankers?

Well-known management consultant Peter Drucker perfectly described the predicament faced by central bankers. You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” So why do we put so much faith in central bankers?

2020 Budget Deficit Comes In at a Cool $3.13 Trillion

The fiscal 2020 budget shortfall totaled $3.13 trillion as Uncle Sam added another $124.6 billion to the deficit in September, according to the latest Monthly Treasury Statement. That more than doubles the previous record deficit of $1.4 trillion set in 2009 at the height of the Great Recession.

Fun on Friday: Searching for the Jekyll Island Creature

I spent a little time at Jekyll Island, Georgia, last weekend. I looked hard, but I didn’t find the mythical creature from Jekyll Island. From what I hear, it’s taken up permanent residence in Washington D.C. But I did locate its birthplace. If you don’t get the reference, I’m referring to the Federal Reserve.

These Jobs Ain’t Comin’ Back: SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Oct. 16, 2020

It’s been months since the US started to reopen after the government-imposed coronavirus shutdowns and yet hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to file for unemployment every week. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey takes a close look at the labor market and concludes that a lot of these […]

Money Out of Thin Air: Exchanging Nothing for Something

In response to any economic downturn, the Federal Reserve cranks up the money printing press. The reaction to the economic chaos caused by the government response to the coronavirus pandemic was no different. The Fed launched what many have called “QE infinity,” and has increased the money supply at a record pace. A lot of […]