John Butler

The other shoe is about to drop

The UK economy is slowing again, making it unlikely that recent taxes hikes will actually increase revenue. Government finances will continue to deteriorate. Gilts and sterling may both decline in value. Investors should turn to gold to protect their wealth.

A global revenue bargain?

US stock markets went from expensive to even more so following Trump’s victory. But is this justified? Regardless, the UK stock market is a relative bargain by comparison.

The Trump-Labour divide: should we be worried?

PS If you have yet to register for our upcoming 2025 Gold Summit, you can do so by clicking here. You won’t want to miss…

What the “Halloween” budget means for Britain

Labour’s “trick-or-treat” Halloween budget was not at all pro-business or growth. Should we be afraid?

Labour’s “trick-or-treat” budget

Both tax rises and spending cuts are likely The stock market is unlikely to care Global developments remain more important Labour will present their “trick-or-treat”…

Lies, damn lies and (economic) statistics, part 2

Economic data must be adjusted for inflation in order to give a real picture of the economy. If inflation is mismeasured, so is everything else. What appears to be economic growth could actually be stagnation. How confident should we be that inflation data are accurate?

Lies, damn lies and (economic) statistics, part 1

These past few weeks have brought some important economic data that continue to support my view that the US and by extension global economy has weakened over the past year. And it might be even weaker than official economic data suggest.

Energy’s roaring comeback

Following a lengthy, large decline, oil prices have spiked higher in recent days, perhaps due to developments in the Middle East. This could, in turn, push inflation and interest rates higher again, the last thing that a slowing global economy needs. The risk of a stock market correction is growing.

An evening in Covent Garden

Last week, Southbank Investment Research held an exclusive event for members in the heart of London’s West End. There were four guest speakers in attendance in the capacity-crowd room. Topics included the outlook for the economy, government policy and what investors can do to protect themselves from both.

The Federal Reserve cuts rates. So what?

US interest rates are finally headed lower It is probably too late to prevent a recession Do financial markets reflect reality? Long anticipated by the…

The stock market smells trouble ahead

Industrial commodity prices have been declining Cyclical stocks have been underperforming Signs are growing the global economy is slipping into recession As a relatively small,…

Where left is right, and right is left

[If they do, the big beneficiary is going to be gold. In this environment, all investors should hold some gold, whether that be physical bullion…

The great lighthouse mystery

[If they do, the big beneficiary is going to be gold. In this environment, all investors should hold some gold, whether that be physical bullion…

Taylor Swift joins the inflation bogeyman party

Inflation takes many forms. Indeed, there are inflation ‘bogeymen’ hiding just about everywhere, ready to spring on us unaware. But are they acting alone, or in concert, directed by their handlers?

Chariots of Fire

The first Olympics that I recall properly are those of 1976, held in Montreal, Canada. This year, they’re also being hosted in a French-speaking city, albeit one a bit closer to home….

Will lower rates prevent a recession?

Interest rates may now be on the way down but is that going to be enough to prevent a recession? To support the stock market? Perhaps not, as we have already observed this past week.

Machiavelli grades Labour

My mother taught me that honesty is the best policy. My father taught me that consistency is key. Machiavelli taught me that might makes right. Well, sort of…

Pro-business? Or just pro-tax?

Labour laid out its initial plans in the King’s Speech from last week. While the government has been talking about “pro-business” policies, so far they are little more than “pro-tax”.

Another shot across another bow

Heavily indebted countries have little room for manoeuvre. There have been several recent examples. Those of us who live in heavily indebted democracies like to believe that “the people” remain in charge. But are they – we – really?

A history of conspiracy

Did you know that some previous Fleet Street Letter editors, advisers and members of its Global Intelligence Network have included members of the UK Parliament? The European Parliament? Retired military officers? Former spies? Defectors even?