Money Supply

The money supply metric is following the usual pattern that precedes a recession and economic crisis.

During January 2020, year-over-year (YOY) growth in the money supply was at 6.32 percent. That's up from December's rate of 5.53 percent, and up from January 2019's rate of 3.38 percent.

During December 2019, year-over-year growth in the money supply was at 5.53 percent. That's down from November's rate of 5.9 percent, but was up from December 2018's rate of 3.90 percent.

During November 2019, year-over-year growth in the money supply was at 6.22 percent. That's up from October's rate of 4.93 percent, and from November 2018's rate of 3.07 percent.

Hoarding is not even a very disruptive process, because for every miser stuffing money into his mattress, there are numerous misers' heirs ferreting it out. This has always been the case, and it is not likely to change drastically.

Why does gold still matter? Politicians, central bankers, and investors dismiss it as a relic, but the precious metal still plays a role in today's economy. Keith Weiner of Monetary Metals explains why.

During October 2019, year-over-year growth in the money supply was at 4.95 percent. That's up from September's rate of 3.10 percent, and was up from October 2018's rate of 3.49 percent.

During September 2019, year-over-year growth in the money supply was at 3.10 percent. That's up from August's rate of 1.85 percent, and was down from September 2018's rate of 4.38 percent.

The money supply growth rate fell in August, dropping to a 150-month low.  To find a lower growth rate, we need to go back to August 2007, when the rate was 1.59 percent.

In July, year-over-year growth in the money supply was at 2.19 percent. That was up slightly from June's rate of 1.98 percent, but was well down from July 2018's rate of 4.07 percent.