Scott Bessent argues that the Federal Reserve should conduct a comprehensive review of its non-core functions to guard against “mission creep” that could undermine its independence in setting monetary policy. He warns that taking on activities beyond its essential responsibilities can create conflicts that erode public trust and weaken the Fed’s ability to focus on … Read more

Gold has surged in popularity among American investors, rising five percentage points to 23% in Gallup’s April survey — the largest gain across all investment categories. This jump places gold securely in second place among preferred investments, indicating a notable shift in investor sentiment. Stocks, meanwhile, fell six points to 16%, reflecting volatility in equity … Read more

Written by: The MacroButler Savvy investors familiar with the business cycle, monetary illusion, and asset allocation within a permanent portfolio already know that inflation favors tangible assets like property and penalizes long-term contracts. In inflationary regimes, holding real assets and avoiding long-duration contractual exposures typically preserves purchasing power better than fixed claims. Equities remain relatively … Read more

Gold prices climbed 0.4% on Monday to $3,348.28 per ounce, recovering from a two-week low as investors reacted to shifting market dynamics. The uptick was supported by lower U.S. Treasury yields and a softer dollar, both of which tend to bolster demand for gold as a safe-haven asset. Market attention is also fixed on diplomatic … Read more

The first quarter of 2026 closed with a clear message from markets: energy prices raced higher, equities weakened, and gold, though pressured late in the month, largely held its ground. Year-to-date returns across major asset classes—from crude oil to the NASDAQ and Bitcoin—reflect this dynamic in stark terms. Weekly Markets Monitor Asset Class Returns Week … Read more

Renowned investor Richard Bernstein warns that current market fundamentals point to an increased risk of a sustained bear market. Bernstein emphasizes several converging factors that, in his view, raise the probability of an extended downturn. He notes weakening corporate profit margins after years of pressure from rising input costs and wage growth, which can compress … Read more

India’s gold reserves have risen significantly as a proportion of its foreign exchange holdings over the past four years. According to a recent Reserve Bank of India report, the share increased to 11.70% by March 2025, up from 5.87% in March 2021. As of the latest update, the RBI holds 879.59 metric tonnes of gold, … Read more

Oil prices surged as WTI crude climbed to $80.04 and Brent reached $82.03 per barrel, supported by stronger seasonal demand and renewed concerns about potential U.S. sanctions on Russian supplies. Several factors are driving the market rally. U.S. crude inventories have fallen for eight consecutive weeks, eroding earlier expectations of a looming oil glut. Traders … Read more

The $115 trillion global economy now finds itself caught between two competing visions from the United States and China, producing widespread uncertainty for businesses, investors and policymakers. The Trump administration’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs represent a bold effort to reshape global trade in America’s favor. If implemented broadly, these measures could disrupt complex supply chains, … Read more

Macquarie Group analysts forecast that gold could climb to a record high of $3,500 per ounce in the third quarter, with an average price near $3,150 during that period. Trading around $2,940 at present, gold has already gained approximately 12% so far this year as investors react to geopolitical uncertainty and concerns about tariff policies. … Read more