Recession Fears Rise as Markets Now See Fed Rate Cuts as Economic Warning Signs

For the first time in 2025, traders expect three rate cuts, with a 50/50 chance of one coming as early as May—a sharp change from last week when most expected rates to hold steady. Despite the fact that cheaper borrowing should help both consumers and businesses, markets have fallen as economic worries grow. The S&P 500 has dropped to its lowest level since before Trump’s election, while small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000—usually winners when rate cuts are expected—have fallen over 6% this year, much worse than the flat S&P 500. This market worry comes from several disappointing economic reports: […]

Precious Metals Outlook Brightens While Copper Fundamentals Weaken

Investment bank Barrenjoey has raised its gold price forecasts by 7% to $2,900/oz for the period 2025-2029, with analyst Daniel Morgan noting these projections are “$100-300/oz or A$200-500/oz” above market consensus. Silver forecasts were similarly increased by 7% to $32/oz. This bullish outlook benefits Australia-listed miners, with Barrenjoey maintaining overweight ratings on companies including Capricorn Metals, Perseus Mining, and West African Resources. Gold has performed strongly in 2025, gaining 11% to reach $2,909.60 and touching a record high of $2,947.90 on February 24. The precious metal’s rise comes as traders seek safe-haven assets amid the implementation of Trump’s tariffs and […]

Maximizing Your Precious Metals IRA: A Guide to Tax Benefits and Avoiding Costly Mistakes 

In recent years, precious metals IRAs have gained popularity as a way to diversify retirement portfolios. While these accounts offer significant advantages, investors need to understand both the benefits and potential pitfalls to protect their retirement savings.  Understanding the Tax Advantages  A properly structured precious metals IRA offers powerful tax benefits that can enhance your retirement strategy:  IRS Compliance: Getting the Details Right  The IRS maintains strict requirements for precious metals IRAs. Understanding these rules is crucial for maintaining your account’s tax-advantaged status:  Eligible Metals:  Storage Requirements:  Protecting Your Retirement: Critical Warning Signs in Precious Metals IRA Investments Recent enforcement […]

Global Currency Markets Rocked by German Spending Surge and Escalating Trade Wars

Global markets saw major changes Wednesday as two powerful forces came together: Trump’s expanding trade war and a dramatic shift in German spending policy. The dollar fell to three-month lows, dropping 2.3% in just three days—the biggest fall since late 2022. This came as new US tariffs hit imports from Canada, Mexico, and China on Tuesday. Both Canada and China quickly hit back with their own tariffs, and Mexico promised to do the same. In Europe, German political parties made a historic decision by agreeing to a massive €500 billion infrastructure fund. They also completely changed their borrowing rules—a move […]

From Remote Possibility to Growing Threat: US Recession Risk Triples

A US recession, once thought unlikely, now looms as a real possibility. Clear warning signs have appeared in financial markets: 10-year Treasury yields have fallen by 70 basis points recently, and oil prices have slipped below $70 per barrel. These changes come alongside disappointing economic data and worries about President Trump’s trade policies and government reforms. The economic slowdown is happening in three distinct phases. Lower-income households are feeling the squeeze first, with savings running out, credit cards at their limits, and debt increasing. Next, businesses have become cautious, taking a wait-and-see approach as policy uncertainties mount. Finally, this week’s […]

Gold Price Gap Narrows as Trump Tariff Trade Loses Steam

The price gap between US and international gold markets is finally returning to normal after months of disruption. This shift comes as fears about Trump’s potential tariffs on gold imports begin to fade. The difference between New York’s Comex futures and the London spot market has shrunk to around $10 per ounce, down from January’s peak of about $60. This brings the market closer to the typical few-dollar spread that normally exists. Traders worldwide had been rushing gold to America to profit from higher US prices, but this arbitrage opportunity is now cooling off. Gold stockpiles at Comex have reached […]

Trump and Musk Question if Fort Knox Gold Has Been “Stolen”

President Trump has raised doubts about the U.S. gold reserves at Fort Knox, suggesting they might have been stolen—a concern also voiced by Elon Musk. Trump plans to visit the facility personally, despite offering no evidence for these claims. The U.S. Mint reports the depository holds 147.3 million ounces of gold. These suspicions continue even though Trump’s own Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirms annual audits show all gold is accounted for. Additionally, Steven Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary during Trump’s first term, personally verified the reserves during a visit. Musk, newly appointed to tackle government waste and fraud, has amplified these concerns […]

Stagflation Fears and Trump Tariffs Push Gold Toward Historic $3,000 Milestone

Gold prices are climbing as markets respond to Trump’s tariffs and expected future announcements. After a brief dip, gold has bounced back above $2,900, with traders setting their sights on the key $3,000 mark. The rally reflects a major shift in markets: the US dollar is falling instead of rising, and US stocks are dropping. This suggests investors may be losing faith in US market dominance and moving money to other regions, especially Europe, which plans to increase government spending. At the same time, recent US economic reports show worrying signs of decline, raising fears of stagflation—when growth slows but […]

Gold Continues Upward March Amid Growing US-China Trade War

Gold prices edged slightly higher on Wednesday, rising 0.1% to $2,918.83 an ounce, bolstered by a U.S. dollar that hit three-month lows and growing political uncertainty after President Trump announced new tariff measures. The precious metal has climbed 11% this year and reached a record $2,956.15 on February 24, with analysts maintaining a bullish outlook. Trump’s address to Congress revealed plans for “reciprocal tariffs” starting April 2, following his implementation of 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports and doubling duties on Chinese goods to 20%. Meanwhile, China has unveiled additional fiscal stimulus to counter the escalating trade war impacts. […]