Despite a recent decline in gold purchases, gold remains the third most popular investment in Germany after savings accounts and equities. A World Gold Council survey revealed that 28% of Germans currently invest in gold, with many viewing it as an accessible and inflation-resistant asset. The recent slump in demand is attributed to higher prices prompting some investors to sell rather than a loss of interest in gold ..read more

US money-market funds have reached a record $6.47 trillion in assets as investors seek high yields amid anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts. The funds attracted $11 billion in the week ending October 9, bringing this year's inflows to over half a trillion dollars. Despite a recent Fed rate cut, these funds continue to draw investments due to their superior yields compared to other instruments, particularly bank deposits ..read more

Join Mike Maloney and Alan Hibbard as they dive deep into the ‘last great precious metals bull market ..read more

US unemployment benefit applications surged to a one-year high last week, with initial claims rising by 33,000 to 258,000. This increase was partly due to Hurricane Helene's impact on southeastern states and a significant jump in claims from Michigan. The surge in jobless claims may complicate the Federal Reserve's efforts to assess the labor market's underlying trends ..read more

The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025, which will increase monthly benefits for over 72 million Americans, including retirees and disabled workers. This adjustment, effective January 2025, will add approximately $48 to the average monthly benefit of $1,907, helping beneficiaries cope with inflation. While lower than the 3.2% increase in 2024, this COLA aligns with the average annual adjustments of recent years ..read more

Financial markets are predicting a series of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, beginning with a 0.25% reduction in November. The central bank is projected to lower rates to around 3.5% by mid-2025, with some speculation of further cuts. This outlook follows recent economic indicators and the Fed's previous "recalibration" of monetary policy ..read more

Bond giant PIMCO predicts challenges for U.S. government bonds due to widening budget deficits and possible inflationary trade policies after the November election. Although the firm expects a soft economic landing and sees opportunities in intermediate-duration bonds, it cautions against longer-duration bonds that may be affected by fiscal and trade policies. PIMCO forecasts persistent high deficits and a steepening yield curve, regardless of which party wins the election ..read more

The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September showed inflation at 2.4% annually, slightly higher than expected but lower than August's 2.5%. While overall inflation continued to cool, core prices remained sticky, rising 0.3% monthly. This data, combined with strong labor market figures, may influence the Federal Reserve's future interest rate decisions ..read more

Bill Gross, a renowned investor, suggests that the robust stock market rally of the past five years is slowing down. He advises investors to expect lower but still positive returns, recommending a shift towards defensive stocks while maintaining average market exposure and including a small bond position. Gross cites various factors influencing this outlook, including high valuations, geopolitical risks, and potential changes in the political landscape, balanced against positive forces like moderating inflation and AI investment ..read more

The Federal Reserve's September meeting minutes, set to be released on Wednesday, may reveal the extent of disagreement among policymakers regarding the surprising 50 basis point rate cut. The minutes could provide insight into whether the decision was unanimous or contentious, given the first dissent from a Board Governor in 19 years and the unusually wide range of projections for future rate cuts. This information could help shape expectations for the Fed's monetary policy direction in the coming months ..read more