Fed Chair Jerome Powell went to Capitol Hill this week and talked. His open-mouth operations dominated the financial news and drove gold lower. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey digs into Powell's comments, reads between the lines, and points out a couple of things Powell got completely wrong. He also talks about some actual economic news that most people just ignored. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3Jq6bKg Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each we...
Jun 23, 2023•33 min
There is the mainstream and market perception of what going on in the economy and financial system. And then there's the underlying economic reality. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey talks about the growing divergence between the two in the context of the June Federal Reserve meeting and the latest CPI data. You can visit the show notes page here: bit.ly/3N4b1xS Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each week for a recap of the week’s economic and political news as i...
Jun 16, 2023•32 min
In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey engages in a little "I told you so!" discussing a couple of things he got right, including his assertion that the real problems would start after the debt ceiling deal and that it was important to keep your eye on the commercial real estate market. He also talks about the yo-yoing gold price this week. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/43Sl5kc Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each week for a recap of the week’s econo...
Jun 09, 2023•30 min
If you buy gold or silver, you're going to pay a premium. So, what exactly is a premium and how is it determined? In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey answers common questions about premiums. He also discusses the debt ceiling deal and where Americans rank gold as a long-term investment. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/42fEmuF Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each week for a recap of the week’s economic and political news as it relates to gold and sil...
Jun 02, 2023•28 min
The debt ceiling "crisis" is coming to a head. We're pretty confident Republicans and Democrats will strike a deal and raise the debt ceiling. That's supposed to solve the problem. But Friday Gold Wrap podcast host Mike Maharrey says the solution is the problem. In this episode, he also offers some bullish perspective on silver. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3MtLmOQ Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each week for a recap of the week’s economic and political news as it rela...
May 26, 2023•26 min
There are a few things that Friday Gold Wrap host Mike Maharrey writes about that don't seem to garner much interest. In this show, Mike is going to talk about two of those things, why they matter, and why you should care. He also talks about the recent drop in the price of gold and what the markets are getting wrong. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/42ORVCz Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each week for a recap of the week’s economic and political news as it relates to gold...
May 19, 2023•28 min
The CPI data for April came out this week. The mainstream spin was that it was more good news for the Fed's inflation fight. But the actual data tells a different story. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey talks about the CPI report and the disconnect between the mainstream narrative and reality. He also highlights some interesting Q1 gold demand numbers. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3MlkJwE Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each week for a recap o...
May 12, 2023•30 min
The Federal Reserve raised rates yet again during its May FOMC meeting. Now everybody is trying to decipher the messaging coming out of the Fed to figure out what's next. But what if the words Powell and Company are saying don't really matter? In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey talks about the latest moves by the Fed and suggests we should focus on the realities over the rhetoric. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/42pP2HN TOPICS COVERED -Fed ...
May 05, 2023•22 min
Many people are concerned about a possible move toward central bank digital currency and we're starting to see organized pushback on the idea. But as Friday Gold Wrap host Mike Maharrey explains, a lot of people are so caught up in taking on CBDC that they're missing the more fundamental problem with government-issued fiat currency. Paper money isn't the solution. It is the parent of the problem. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3oQTpNy TOPICS DISCUSSED -Is $2,000 gold supp...
Apr 28, 2023•22 min
Most attention in the precious metals markets has focused on inflation and the Federal Reserve's response. The perception that the Fed will continue to tighten monetary policy to fight inflation has created headwinds for gold and silver. But as Friday Gold Wrap host Mike Maharrey explains, there is a silver lining in all this - the fundamentals for silver. In this episode, Mike highlights silver's supply and demand dynamics. He also covers some good news for gold and silver coming out of Arkansa...
Apr 21, 2023•32 min
With the CPI coming in slightly cooler than expected and producer prices unexpectedly falling, a lot of people think the Fed pivot is now in play and we will soon see an end to monetary tightening. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey talks about the possibility of a pivot, market reaction, and most importantly, the possible ramifications. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3KZq9wD TOPICS DISCUSSED -Mainstream ignorance and Keynsian claptrap -NY...
Apr 14, 2023•26 min
The dollar may be king, but its throne is getting a little tippy. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey talks about the slow but steady erosion of the dollar's global dominance and the possible ramifications. He also explains how Federal Reserve monetary policy is like poison. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/41av1EA TOPICS DISCUSSED -Monetary poison -One big banker says the crisis isn't over -Gold cracks $2,000 -Central banks are still buying ...
Apr 07, 2023•21 min
The Federal Reserve has added nearly $400 billion to its balance sheet in just two weeks while simultaneously claiming to still be in the inflation fight. While things seem pretty quiet after the bank bailout, Friday Gold Wrap host Mike Maharrey says it's only a matter of time before the next shoe drops. What will that be? In this episode, he talks about one possibility. He also covers some interesting demand news in the silver market. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3zmu0...
Mar 31, 2023•28 min
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates again despite the problems in the banking system. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey talks about the Fed's inflationary efforts to paper over the problems in the financial system while still keeping up the pretense of an inflation fight. He says it's like trying to thread a needle with rope. You can visit the show notes here: https://bit.ly/3ZbSnrJ TOPICS DISCUSSED -The most recent Fed rate hike -The messaging comin...
Mar 24, 2023•32 min
In this episode of Metal Exchange, host Mike Maharrey chats with SchiffGold analyst Tony about the recent bank failures, the bailouts, the reaction of the markets and what might happen next. They conclude that if you're betting that the Federal Reserve has everything under control, that's probably a bad bet! You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/42ue2OK Topics Discussed -Who could have predicted this? -The nuts and bolts of the bailouts -A brilliant move by the Fed? -Market Reac...
Mar 21, 2023•38 min
Friday gold wrap host Mike Maharrey has been saying something is going to break in the economy for months due to the Fede's monetary tightening to fight inflation. Last Friday, something broke. It was the first crack in the dam. The Fed rushed in to plug the leak, but was it enough? In this episode of the podcast, Mike talks about the response to these bank failures and the possible ramifications. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3ZUbxDX -What caused SVB and Signature Bank ...
Mar 17, 2023•31 min
There has been a lot of talk about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) lately. Supporters tell you they will provide a safe, secure, convenient alternative to cash. But in this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey digs deeper and explains that CBDCs are actually about more government control. He also talks about how Jerome Powell talked and tanked the markets this week. Visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3mFogeQ -Jerome Powell performs "open-mouth" operations -Mark...
Mar 10, 2023•28 min
Despite the hotter-than-expected CPI data for January, most people still seem confident that the Fed can win the inflation fight, drive CPI back to 2% in relatively short order, and then return to the easy monetary policy we all have come to expect. Friday Gold Wrap host Mike Maharrey does not share this optimism. In this episode, he outlines three reasons the Fed won't win the inflation fight. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3EUTCo1 TOPICS COVERED -Disinflation is transit...
Mar 03, 2023•21 min
Why should you own gold in your investment portfolio? In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey talks about some reasons to own gold, including its historical wealth-preserving qualities and its role as a safe haven. He also talks about a new buzzword central bankers and politicians are using to make inflation seem less bad. Visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3XWMRJ1 TOPICS COVERED -The latest buzzword: "supercore" inflation -How as part of a well-balanced p...
Feb 24, 2023•27 min
Garbage in, garbage out. The phrase is usually associated with computers, but it also applies to the formulas used to generate government economic data. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey goes over the January CPI and retail sales data with that phrase in mind. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3S56b5F TOPICS COVERED -January CPI undercuts the disinflation narrative -Market reaction to the CPI data -More bad inflation news in PPI data -Disinf...
Feb 17, 2023•30 min
You've probably heard the saying that history might not repeat, but it often rhymes. If that's true, looking back at the runup to the 2008 financial crisis and Great Recession should cause concern. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey looks at some of the parallels between then and now. He also digs deeper into the January jobs report and explains why you should be skeptical. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/40N2OnA TOPICS COVERED -Interest ra...
Feb 10, 2023•25 min
Do you believe your eyes? Or do you believe your ears? That’s the dilemma you face as you try to make sense of the latest Federal Reserve meeting and Jerome Powell's messaging. It’s also a question to ask yourself if you’re evaluating the performance of gold over the last year. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey explores this dilemma in both contexts. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3l4UrUb TOPICS DISCUSSED -The Fed's latest rate hike -Jero...
Feb 03, 2023•27 min
With a debt ceiling debate now underway, a dumb idea has once again raised its ugly head - the trillion-dollar coin. This week on the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey uses this so-called "solution" to the debt ceiling problem as an opportunity to teach some economics. In this episode, he also touches on the GDP data that came out yesterday. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3j7gmcT -Q4 QDP -Is a "soft landing" in the cards? -The shrinking money supply -Comparing ...
Jan 27, 2023•28 min
Pop some popcorn and get ready for the next political dog and pony show. The US government bumped up against its statutory borrowing limit this week. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey talks about the looming debt ceiling fight and the deeper problems that will inevitably get ignored as everybody absorbs the political theater. He also talks about the growing bullishness in the gold market. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3J33yig TOPICS COVE...
Jan 20, 2023•27 min
The headline numbers from December's CPI report give the impression that price inflation is continuing to cool. Markets are giddy at the prospect. But in this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey argues that "cooling" price inflation is most likely transitory and the markets still don't really understand the Fed's position. He also gives an overview of gold's performance in 2022. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3QzJwgZ TOPICS COVERED -A breakdown of ...
Jan 13, 2023•25 min
You have questions. Friday Gold Wrap host Mike Maharrey has answers. In this episode of the podcast, Mike answers questions submitted by listeners. He covers topics ranging from the American Silver Eagle shortage to the best states for sound money. Visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3CpejXN TOPICS DISCUSSED -Is China manipulating the gold market? -What states are most friendly to gold and silver? -Why are American Silver Eagle premiums so high? -How will silver do in a stagflationary...
Jan 06, 2023•35 min
The Federal Reserve is trying to win a war against price inflation without tipping the economy into a recession. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap, host Mike Maharrey highlights two more reasons this is a game the Fed can't win. He also does a quick overview of the gold market in 2022 as we head toward the end of the year. You can visit the show note here: https://bit.ly/3WBa2IW TOPICS DISCUSSED -Gold in 2022 -Another massive spending bill -Federal spending is the Fed's problem -The Fed's ...
Dec 30, 2022•26 min
Are the people who are predicting a big economic crash right? Or are they just crying wolf? In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey explains why it's hard to predict the exact timing of a crash even if you're certain it's on the horizon. He also talks about a couple of news items this week that caused the price of gold to yo-yo. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3jpvNNj TOPICS DISCUSSED -Gold rallies when the Bank of Japan makes a surprising polic...
Dec 23, 2022•27 min
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day gyrations of the market, pronouncements of certain government or central bank officials, and the most recent data dump. So, it's important to keep your eye on the ball. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey breaks down the latest inflation data and the Fed meeting with his eye firmly focused on that ball. You can visit the show notes page here: https://bit.ly/3Wlsq8m TOPICS DISCUSSED -November CPI data -The Fed's latest r...
Dec 16, 2022•31 min
Mark Twain once said there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. The government excels in all three. In this episode of the Friday Gold Wrap podcast, host Mike Maharrey digs into the recent jobs data. He reveals that the numbers just don't add up and explains why the labor market might not be as awesome as the mainstream keeps telling you. He also talks about the newest data on central bank gold buying. Visit the show notes here: https://bit.ly/3W1ECuH Tune in to the Friday Gold Wrap each week fo...
Dec 09, 2022•23 min