Peter's Blog

Personal Incomes Rising; Inflation Eating Them Up

Personal income is rising. But inflation is eating it up. Before factoring in inflation, personal income from all sources rose by 2.7% in July year-on-year. The month-on-month gain was a solid 1.1%. This includes wages, stimulus payments, transfer payments (unemployment, Social Security benefits, etc.) along with income from other sources such as interest, dividends, and […]

Stimulus Checks Run Out; Americans Whip Out Their Credit Cards

What do you do when that stimulus money runs out? You whip out the credit card. Consumer debt was up 10% in May, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve, and we saw a big jump in credit card balances for the first time since February 2020.

Government Stimulus Is Blowing Up a Massive Economic Bubble

We’re told we’re on the road to economic recovery. The $1.9 trillion stimulus is all we need to get us over the hump. But the truth is, Americans started spending like they were over the hump months ago. In fact, American consumers high on stimulus have been on a spending spree since last summer. The […]

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.

Another Month, Another Record for Consumer Debt

Americans continue to drive the economy along spending money they don’t have. Consumer debt increased yet again in July, setting another record, according to the latest data released by the Federal Reserve. Total consumer debt surged $23.4 billion in July, driven by a huge jump in credit card balances. The big rise in consumer indebtedness […]

Silver on Rocket Fuel! SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Aug. 30, 2019

Gold has had a pretty solid month, but silver has been going up like it’s on rocket fuel. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey takes a close look at the silver market and what’s going on there. He talks a little trade war, saying that maybe we shouldn’t be talking […]

How Long Can Over-Leveraged Consumers Prop Up the Economy?

Earlier this week, Spencer Schiff wrote an article noting the importance of consumer spending to the US economy and the consequences that will follow if Americans suddenly tighten up their wallets.  Schiff isn’t alone in his concern. A mainstream economist sounded a similar warning during a recent CNBC interview.

Rising Interest Rates Cutting a Lifeline for Consumers

Climbing interest rates are putting the squeeze on the mortgage refi market. Applications to refinance home mortgages fell 5% last week, dropping to an 18-year low. According to CNBC, mortgage application volume was nearly 27% lower than a year ago when rates were lower. The refinance share of total mortgage application volume fell to its lowest […]

Rising Financial Stress for Consumers Could Spark Gold Rally

Expectations that the Fed will continue and perhaps even quicken the pace of interest rates hikes have created headwinds for gold. But there another side to the rising interest rate phenomenon that a lot of people in the mainstream seem to be missing. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the prospect of a higher interest […]

US Savings Rate at Lowest Level Since the Great Recession

Americans are spending money, but it appears they are dipping into their savings to do it. According to data released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, savings last month fell to a level not seen since 2007. The 3.1% rate in September was the lowest since it dipped to 3.0% in December 2007. In […]