Peter's Blog

Central Bank Gold Buying Takes Up Where It Left Off to Start 2023

Note: This article has been edited with additional data reported by the World Gold Council released after publication. After charting the highest level of net gold purchases on record in 2022, central banks started out 2023 right where they left off. Central banks globally added another net 77 tons to their gold reserves in January, […]

New Investment Options Could Increase Indian Silver Demand and Other Silver News

Silver demand in India is expected to increase with the introduction of new investment products. India already ranks as one of the world’s biggest silver consumers. This is one of several silver-related stories in the latest edition of Silver News published by the Silver Institute.

Recession Warning Sign: Consumer Confidence Falls Again in February

Joe Biden might be confident in the US economy. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell might be confident about the US economy. But the average American? Not so much. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell for the second straight month in February, dropping from a downwardly revised 106.0 in January to 102.9.

Oklahoma Bill Would Help Minimize the Impact of Central Bank Digital Currency

There has been a lot of talk about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The powers that be sell CBDCs on the promise of convenience and security. But in reality, they are part of a broader “war on cash” and a push to give governments even more control and power over you and me. Digital currencies […]

Total Household Debt Charts Biggest Rise in 20 Years

After charting its biggest increase since 2007 in the third quarter, household debt surged again in Q4 as Americans try to borrow their way out of the squeeze soaring price inflation has put on their wallets. Total household debt rose by $394 billion in the last quarter of 2022, according to the latest New York […]

Upward CPI Revisions Further Undercut Disinflation Narrative

CPI came in hotter than expected in January and threw cold water on the “disinflation” narrative that was gaining steam in the mainstream. Less-reported were the revisions of past CPI data. These undercut that narrative even further. The CPI data for October, November and December were all revised higher.

The Dark Side of January’s Big Retail Sales Print

Retail sales came in much stronger than expected in January after declining the previous two months. Mainstream financial media pundits immediately declared that this “jump in consumer spending” was a good sign for the economy. The Wall Street Journal called the robust sales report “evidence that US economic growth picked up at the start of […]

Billionaire John Paulson: You Need Gold Not Dollars

Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson said you’re better off owning gold than dollars. Why? Because he thinks the dollar is set up for long-term depreciation as the world drifts toward dedollarisation.

Chinese Gold Imports Hit Highest Level Since 2018

China imported 1,343 tons of gold in 2022, the highest import level since 2018. Total gold imports for the year were up 64% over 2021. China ranks as the world’s biggest gold consumer.

Fiscal 2023 Budget Deficit Already Approaching a Half-Trillion Dollars

Just four months into fiscal 2023 and the US federal budget deficit is already approaching half a trillion dollars. This is a big problem for the Federal Reserve that few people seem to be talking about.