Peter's Blog

Why the Definition of Inflation Matters

When people talk about “inflation” today, they generally mean rising prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). But historically, “inflation” was more precisely defined as an increase in the amount of money and credit causing advances in the price level. Inflation used to be understood as an increase in the money supply. Rising […]

Inflation Bites: Thanksgiving Meal Up 20% Compared to Last Year

Based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), prices were up 7.7% year-on-year in October. That’s a pretty hefty inflationary bite. But we’ve been saying the impact of inflation is a lot worse. The increased cost of a Thanksgiving meal this year bears that out.

Peter Schiff: The Fed Is Not Making Progress in Its Inflation Fight

The October CPI data came in a bit cooler than expected, but the market reaction was hot and furious. Peter Schiff broke down the CPI data and the market reaction to it in his podcast. Despite the spin, Peter said the Fed isn’t making any progress in fighting inflation.

Perception Is Reality? SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Nov. 11, 2022

They say perception is reality. Based on the October CPI data, the perception is inflation has peaked. But what’s the reality? In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey digs into the CPI data along with the markets’ reaction to it and wonders if the inflation victory dance is a little […]

CPI: Annualized Pace of Increase Still Over 5%

The perception is that CPI cooled significantly in October, but the data doesn’t quite bear this out. The latest seasonally adjusted inflation rate for September came in at 0.44%. The YoY rate was 7.7%, or 7.8% when adjusting for Household Ops. which has not been consistently reported over the last year. The increase was actually […]

Number of Americans Living Paycheck to Paycheck Approaching All-Time High

Inflation is squeezing American budgets to the breaking point. According to a LendingClub survey, the number of Americans living paycheck to paycheck is nearing record levels.

Inflation Is Eating Up Your Wage Increases and Then Some

You’re making more money. But you can’t buy as much stuff. Why? Because inflation continues to eat away at your wages.

Peter Schiff: Inflation Insanity Continues

As Peter Schiff put it in a recent podcast, the inflation insanity continues. We got the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) data and it once again came in hotter than expected. Month-on-month, CPI was up 0.4%. That was double the 0.2% expectation. On an annual basis, the CPI was 8.2%.

This Is What Losing Looks Like: SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Oct. 14, 2022

The September Consumer Price Index (CPI) data came out on Thursday. Once again, it was “hotter than expected,” despite the Federal Reserve hiking rates by over 3% since March. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey breaks down the CPI data in the context of the Fed’s inflation fight and […]

CPI: This Game of Chicken is Almost Over

The latest seasonally adjusted inflation rate for September came in at 0.38%, dropping to 8.25% YoY. Median expectations had been for 0.3% MoM and 8.1% YoY so the hot number hammered markets on the open, especially precious metals. The markets climbed their way back as of publishing, indicating the investors may be starting to understand the Fed’s […]