Wealthy Indians Reshape Portfolios and Embrace Gold

The HSBC 2025 Affluent Investor Snapshot surveyed over 10,000 wealthy investors globally and found Indian high-net-worth individuals leading a transformation in investment behavior. Key findings include: Gold allocation nearly doubled from 8% to 15% in portfolios – Shift from traditional equities and real estate to managed funds and alternative investments – Lowest cash allocation in Asia (15%), indicating confidence in growth investments – Strong international diversification focus, with 40% planning overseas investments This represents a fundamental shift from passive wealth preservation to active, globally-diversified wealth creation strategies.

RBA Launches Live Trials for Central Bank Digital Currency

Australia just took a big step toward launching a digital currency — but not for everyday consumers. The Reserve Bank of Australia is testing a wholesale CBDC with real money and real assets through a new program called “Project Acacia.” Over the next six months, the RBA and industry partners will explore how digital money could make financial markets run more smoothly. The focus is on things like bond settlements, private investments, and carbon credit trading — not buying coffee with crypto. Instead of creating a digital dollar for the public, the RBA is focused on making institutional finance faster, […]

Brazil Inflation Misses Target for Sixth Straight Month

Brazil’s inflation climbed to 5.35% in June, marking the sixth straight month above the central bank’s 3% target and signaling continued pressure on the country’s monetary policy. While the Selic rate was raised to a 15% high in June — the highest in nearly two decades — the central bank may now pause further hikes as it assesses the impact. A tight labor market and elevated public spending are complicating efforts to control prices, especially with eight out of nine consumer categories seeing gains in June. Electricity and housing costs were the biggest drivers, while food prices declined slightly. Investors […]

India Tiptoes Around BRICS Tariffs as U.S. Trade Deal Hangs in Balance

India is walking a diplomatic tightrope as President Trump ramps up tariffs on BRICS countries and accuses the group of trying to undermine the U.S. dollar. While Trump has threatened a 10% tariff on all BRICS members — including India — New Delhi is distancing itself from anti-dollar efforts and positioning itself as a neutral player focused on reducing risk, not de-dollarization. India’s strategy: stay quiet on Trump’s rhetoric, avoid public criticism, and emphasize its lack of interest in a joint BRICS currency. Officials hope this stance — along with India’s long-standing strategic ties with the U.S. — will shield […]

Nvidia Hits $4 Trillion — But Are Markets Near a Tipping Point?

Nvidia has become the first company to hit a $4 trillion market cap, riding the AI wave and sustained demand for its cutting-edge chips. Shares hit a record high Wednesday and continued climbing Thursday, as investors remain bullish on the company’s dominance in AI hardware and software. Major tech firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are pouring billions into Nvidia’s chips to build out massive AI data centers. Despite a $4.5 billion loss from U.S. export bans to China — and more to come — Nvidia continues to grow, bolstered by sovereign AI contracts and the upcoming release of its […]

Clock Ticking: Copper Market Scrambles to Beat August 1 Tariff Deadline

Copper traders are racing against time as President Trump’s 50% tariff on imports is set to take effect August 1. With U.S. copper futures trading at a 25% premium to global prices, the rush is on to complete shipments and lock in profits before the tariff hits. To speed things up, cargoes are being diverted to faster U.S. entry points like Hawaii and Puerto Rico, while inventories surge at hubs like New Orleans and Panama City. Some traders are even paying $400 per ton above London prices to secure qualifying copper. But major questions remain: Will the tariff apply to […]

Japan’s Election Promises and Tariff Worries Shake Bond Market Confidence

Japan is preparing for a major bond auction this week, and markets are on edge. A sale of 20-year government bonds on Thursday comes as investors worry about rising yields and the country’s growing debt. Those concerns are being fueled by politics—Japan’s ruling party is promising cash giveaways to win votes, while opposition leaders push for tax cuts. With elections just around the corner, big institutional investors are expected to sit on the sidelines, waiting to see how the government handles spending after July 20. Even though Japan has trimmed how many long-term bonds it plans to sell, yields are […]

Brazil Vows Retaliation After Trump Hits Imports With 50% Tariff

Tensions are rising between Brazil and the United States after President Trump announced a steep 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, set to take effect August 1. In response, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed to retaliate with equivalent countermeasures, invoking a newly passed law that permits proportional responses to foreign economic actions. Trump’s tariff announcement cited both economic grievances and political motivations, including Brazil’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. The letter Trump sent to Lula accused Brazil of undermining free speech and digital trade, though his claims conflict with U.S. government trade data showing […]

Copper Joins the Rally: What the Metal Melt-Up Means for Markets

Metal markets are booming—led by copper joining gold, silver, and platinum in a broad rally. Since the start of the year, gold and silver are each up about 26%, platinum has soared 49%, and copper has jumped nearly 12% following a new 50% import tariff announced by President Trump. But what’s driving this surge, and what does it mean? Three key thoughts emerge: – Metals are rallying even without high inflation, suggesting markets are anticipating something not reflected in official CPI figures. – The new copper tariffs aim to boost domestic production, but could ironically raise costs for U.S. manufacturing […]

Gold Rises as Dollar Weakens and Trade Tensions Simmer

Gold prices climbed Thursday, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and expectations of future interest rate cuts. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,327.42 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures gained 0.5%. The dollar’s pullback made gold more attractive to international buyers, and analysts suggest that Trump’s recent trade moves—like a 50% tariff on copper and new tariff notices to seven countries—are contributing to “dollar-negative” sentiment. Markets reacted calmly to the new tariffs, with global stocks rising, indicating investor fatigue over trade headlines. Meanwhile, the Fed minutes showed most officials are cautious about cutting rates soon due to inflation concerns, though […]