A wider perspective.

Ideas and analysis on money, markets and the world around us.

A Roman lesson on inflation

“While it is the duty of the citizen to support the state, it is not the duty of the state to support the citizen” – President Grover Cleveland The point President Cleveland made back in the 1880s was that individuals…

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When will the next credit crisis occur?

The timing of any credit crisis is set by the rate at which the credit cycle progresses. People don’t think in terms of the credit cycle, wrongly believing it is a business cycle. The distinction is important, because a…

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Market Report: Taking a breather

In early European trade this morning (Friday) gold was down $2 from last Friday’s close at $1,347. Silver is down 25 cents at $17.18. Comex volumes have declined, and the dollar has stopped falling. It has mostly been…

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Brexit – the battle for ideas

The battle for ideas in the Brexit debate comes down to two basic economic approaches. The neo-Keynesian macroeconomists in the permanent establishment, who manage the state as economic planners and regulators are on…

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Weekly DOE Oil Charts - January 26, 2018

Conclusion: Overall inventories built this week, particularly crude (which is seasonally normal). Cushing still drew, we think this needs to end soon, which probably will require the WTI-Brent gap to close a bit…

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Weekly DOE Oil Charts - January 19, 2018

Conclusion: Further declines in US inventories, faster than even we predicted. Oil production growth is strong at close to 1mb/d and is now confirmed by the monthly data. The arb from Cushing to the USG for uncommitted…

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Unsound money is crucifying pensions

Deficits are mounting in pension obligations. It is a global problem over which pension trustees are helpless. It is also a problem that’s brushed under the carpet, with prospective and current pensioners generally…

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Overbought PMs consolidate

It had to happen after a terrific run from early December, so a consolidation in precious metals is hardly a surprise. With gold trading at $1,337 in early European trade this morning (Friday) it is unchanged, and…

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