Peter's Blog

Consumer Debt Was Already Surging Before Coronavirus

The solution to the coronavirus economic meltdown is to borrow our way out of it. The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates to zero and the stimulus bill makes all kinds of loan programs available to pretty much anybody and everybody. But American consumers were already up to their eyeballs in debt before the coronavirus lockdowns. […]

Something Is Out of Kilter: Friday Gold Wrap Podcast Feb. 14, 2020

Jerome Powell went to Capitol Hill this week. During his testimony before a congressional committee, the Fed chair insisted, “There is nothing about this economy that is out of kilter or imbalanced.” In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap Podcast, host Mike Maharrey takes issue with Powell’s assessment and points out some things that […]

Borrowing Our Way to Prosperity?

Americans are driving the US economy along with borrowed money. The question is how much longer can it last? Consumer debt surged once again in December as Americans charged up their credit cards for the holidays. Total consumer credit grew by $22.1 billion in December, according to the latest data released by the Federal Reserve. […]

Color Me Skeptical: SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Dec. 13, 2019

We have a trade deal! Maybe. Meanwhile, the Fed wrapped up its last FOMC meeting of the year this week and did nothing. But Powell and Company did give us some indication about what we should expect next year. The week’s news played tug-o-war with gold. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host […]

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.

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.

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 […]

J. Powell Goes to Congress: SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Nov. 15, 2019

There was more optimism about a trade deal this week. There was also more pessimism about a trade deal this week. Markets reacted accordingly. But there was some other interesting news out there. Jerome Powell lectured Congress about the national debt and last month’s inflation data came in hotter than expected. Host Mike Maharrey covers […]

Student Loan Bubble Blows Up Another $32.9 Billion in Q3

American consumer debt pushed to a new record of $4.15 trillion in September. Part of that equation – the continued surge in the levels of student loan debt. Student loan balances jumped by $32.9 billion in the third quarter this year, pushing total outstanding student loan debt to a new record of $1.64 trillion. Student […]

That Seems Less Than Ideal: SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Oct. 18, 2019

News of a possible “phase 1 trade deal” and movement toward a resolution of the Brexit fiasco have buoyed stocks and put a lid on silver and gold this week. But positive vibes on these two fronts overshadowed a lot of economic data that came out this week that was less than ideal. It seems […]