Bessent’s Call for 1.5% Rate Reduction Supports Gold

Gold prices maintained modest gains after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by at least 1.5 percentage points. The precious metal rose as much as 0.6% before settling near $3,365 per ounce. Lower interest rates typically benefit gold since it doesn’t pay interest, making it more attractive when yields fall. Gold has gained 28% this year, driven by geopolitical tensions and central bank purchases.

Breaking the Rules: Why Gold Is Ignoring Traditional Market Signals in 2025

Gold continues its impressive rally in 2025, rising over 25% and heading for a third straight year of double-digit gains—a performance streak unseen since the mid-2000s. The precious metal has broken from traditional patterns, ignoring typical drivers like real yields and dollar strength. Instead, geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism, and central bank buying—particularly from China and other emerging economies seeking to diversify from the dollar—have fueled demand. While gold lacks intrinsic valuation metrics and faces potential headwinds from higher interest rates and cryptocurrency competition, Rothschild & Co maintains a strategic overweight position. They view gold as a crucial portfolio diversifier and […]

Wall Street’s Fear Gauge Hits Yearly Low as Investors Shrug Off Risk Factors

Financial markets are unusually calm, with volatility measures for stocks, bonds, and currencies all hitting yearly lows. The VIX “fear gauge” has dropped to its lowest level since December, while Treasury volatility is at early-2022 lows. This calm seems surprising given ongoing risks: geopolitical tensions, sticky inflation, and Trump’s Fed criticism. But experts cite three key reasons for the low volatility: – large cash reserves ready to buy any dips – a stronger-than-expected economy avoiding recession – and investors betting Trump will back down from extreme threats (his typical pattern) With the S&P 500 hitting new records and inflation improving, […]

Tech Titans Drive 90% of Profit Growth as Wall Street Dismisses Trade War Concerns

Investors are enthusiastically buying risky assets across all markets following encouraging US inflation data, with Wall Street hitting record highs and volatility measures collapsing to yearly lows. Despite concerns about Trump’s tariffs, traders are betting that falling interest rates will boost an already resilient economy. Markets are pricing in a 90% chance of a Fed rate cut in September, with Treasury Secretary Bessent suggesting rates could drop 150-175 basis points. The optimism is driven by strong tech earnings, which accounted for 90% of S&P 500 profit growth, and a general “what tariffs, who cares?” attitude among investors.

Fed’s Policy Trap Fuels Gold Bull Market: Caught Between Rising Unemployment and Sticky Inflation

Gold prices are consolidating near $3,355-$3,360 (spot) and $3,410 (futures) as investors position for a potential stagflation scenario—a combination of slowing economic growth and persistent inflation. Following disappointing U.S. jobs data that showed only 73,000 jobs added versus 150,000 expected, markets now price an 81% chance of a Fed rate cut in September. Citigroup has raised its 3-month gold target to $3,500, viewing stagflation as the base case rather than a tail risk. The upcoming CPI report on Tuesday will be crucial, with a softer inflation reading likely to push gold through resistance at $3,450.

Treasury Secretary Calls for Major Fed Rate Cuts: 1.50-1.75% Reduction Needed

In a statement on Bloomberg TV, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for substantial interest rate reductions, arguing that current rates are overly restrictive for the U.S. economy. Bessent specifically stated that rates should be 150-175 basis points lower than current levels, which would represent a major shift in monetary policy. He anticipates the Federal Reserve will initiate a cutting cycle beginning with a potential 50 basis point reduction in September. This marks a notable divergence from the Fed’s recent cautious stance and suggests the Trump administration is pushing for more aggressive monetary accommodation to support economic growth and market conditions.

$21 Billion in Extra Tariff Revenue Still Can’t Balance the Books as Deficit Widens

Despite record-breaking tariff revenue in July 2025, the U.S. budget deficit still climbed 20% compared to last year, according to Treasury Department data. While customs revenue surged 273% (or $21 billion) due to President Trump’s import taxes, federal spending continues to outpace government revenues. The deficit increase is driven by rising interest payments on the $37 trillion national debt and cost-of-living adjustments to Social Security. Although the Congressional Budget Office estimates tariffs could reduce deficits by $2.8 trillion over 10 years, economists warn this comes with trade-offs including slower economic growth and higher inflation.

Federal Deficit Jumps 20% to $291B in July as Spending Outpaces Tariff Gains

The U.S. government’s budget deficit surged nearly 20% to $291 billion in July 2025, despite collecting $21 billion more in tariff revenue from President Trump’s trade policies. While customs duties jumped from $8 billion to $28 billion compared to last year, government spending outpaced revenue gains. Total outlays hit a record $630 billion for the month, growing 10% year-over-year, while receipts only increased 2% to $338 billion. For the fiscal year through July, the deficit stands at $1.629 trillion, up 7% from the previous year.

Treasury Secretary Advocates for Aggressive Fed Rate Cut Amid Revised Jobs Data

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the Federal Reserve should consider a larger 50 basis-point rate cut at its September meeting, arguing that revised job data shows the Fed could have started cutting rates earlier. In a Fox Business interview, Bessent noted that weaker employment figures for May and June only became apparent after the Fed’s July meeting. He also discussed Trump’s Fed board nominee Stephen Miran, expressing hope he’ll be confirmed in time for the September meeting, and mentioned that the search for Jerome Powell’s successor remains wide open.

Gold Breaks Higher as Mild Inflation Data Boosts September Rate Cut Hopes

Gold prices rose on Wednesday, climbing 0.6% to $3,363.61 per ounce, as investors increasingly bet on a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. The rally was driven by mild inflation data and a weakening dollar, which made gold more affordable for international buyers. Markets are now pricing in a 96% chance of a rate cut next month, with gold benefiting as a traditional safe-haven asset that performs well in low-interest environments.