Peter's Blog

Fed’s Harker Warns Tariff Risks, Debt Threaten Economic Stability in Farewell Speech

Delivering his final public remarks as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve on yesterday, Patrick T. Harker urged caution regarding inflation, tariff policies, and rising national debt, highlighting enduring challenges to U.S. economic stability. The speech occurred at the Philadelphia Fed, marking the culmination of Harker’s tenure before his scheduled retirement at month-end. […]

How Inflation Undermines Culture and Values

Inflation has come to be one the defining economic phenomena of this generation. As the money supply grows seemingly without end, it’s easy to miss how the erosion of our money wreaks both economic and – more subtly– cultural havoc.

Free Markets: From Competition to Cooperation

Critics of free markets often argue that the competition found in markets is akin to animals in the wild; in the “dog-eat-dog” world of capitalism, they say, people must fight for survival. In this argument, however, lies insidious equivocation. On the contrary, markets are the most effective means for promoting both peace and social cooperation.

The Fed Drops QT to $5B a Month – Ensuring the Balance Sheet Will Stay Bloated

The following analysis breaks down the Fed balance sheet in detail. It shows different parts of the balance sheet and how those amounts have changed. It also shows historical interest rate trends.

Why Critics of Free Markets Can’t Resist Free-Market Platforms

While free trade has never been universally popular in America, today its principles are under economic and moral attack from both the left and the right. Yet, the greatest concession that opponents of free trade make is, ironically, their love of the services that the market makes available to them.

What’s Behind the Logic of Today’s U.S. Tariff Policy?

Last week the Trump administration hinted at the possibility of new tariffs that would target the European Union and tech giant Apple. As the presidency continues to flip flop on this issue, American citizens should only conclude that the protectionist right is hopelessly deluded on trade.

Japanese vs. US: Which Are More Cooked?

No one wants Japan’s sovereign debt.  The global sovereign bond collapse appears to be rapidly worsening. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) owns more than half of its own government bonds, desperate to prop up the economy by buying domestic debt that nobody else wants. But no central bank can prop up an economy forever.

M2 Money Supply Grows by Most in 2 Years

Money Supply is a very important indicator. It helps show how tight or loose current monetary conditions are regardless of what the Fed is doing with interest rates. Even if the Fed is tight, if Money Supply is increasing, it has an inflationary effect.

Peter Schiff: Traders are “Selling America”

On Sunday’s podcast, Peter dissects another rough stretch for American financial markets, spotlighting mounting selloffs across sectors and another breakout moment for gold. He breaks down why US treasuries are now riskier than ever, the structural problems with fiscal and monetary policy, and how tariffs are hitting American consumers harder than politicians care to admit.  […]

Delivery Demand on the Comex Remains at Record Levels for Gold and Silver

The CME Comex is the Exchange where futures are traded for gold, silver, and other commodities. The CME also allows futures buyers to turn their contracts into physical metal through delivery. You can find more detail on the CME here (e.g., vault types, major/minor months, delivery explanation, historical data, etc.).