Commentaries

$20 Cheeseburglar Raids Pockets

Consumers are feeling inflation now that the $20 burger meal is becoming increasingly prevalent. Markets may be keeping watch on retail numbers.

De-Dollarization Is Not Just a Wild Conspiracy Theory

By Mike Maharrey, Money Metals

This isn’t mere speculation. Central bank gold buying has been on a record pace for more than two years.

Which Countries Produced the Most Gold in 2023?

By Mike Maharrey, Money Metals

Mine output rose modestly by 1% in 2023 to 3644.4 tons, but it still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels. These countries were the top 10 gold producers in 2023.

Can You Borrow Your Way to Prosperity? American Consumers Are Giving it a Shot!

By Mike Maharrey, Money Metals

Policymakers talk about how “strong, resilient American consumers” are keeping the economy rolling. But they’re making ends meet with credit cards.

Two Reasons The Fed Manipulates Interest Rates

By Kelsey Williams

1. It's in the Fed's best interest to extend the prosperity phase of the economic cycle. 2. The Fed's biggest source of income is interest on U.S. government securities.

BIS Gold Swaps Fall Sharply in February, Hinting at Price Reset

By Robert Lambourne

Given what is happening in the gold market more generally, it appears reasonable to assume that the Federal Reserve is the BIS' customer for these gold transactions.

Paper Gold Vs. Real Gold: It's Important to Know the Difference

By Mike Maharrey, Money Metals

A gold ETF is backed by metal owned and stored by the issuer. In most cases, investing in an ETF does not entitle you to any amount of physical gold. You own a share of the ETF, not gold itself.

Fed’s Next Rate Move Might Not Align with Popular Consensus

By Richard Mills, Ahead of the Herd

Remember, the Fed’s targeted inflation rate is 2%. Inflation needs to be falling to somewhere close to 2%, for the Fed to consider lowering interest rates, having raised them 11 times since spring 2022.