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 […]

Geopolitics, Copper Tariffs, and OPEC+ Moves Put Oil in Flux

Oil prices slipped Wednesday, but the energy market remains on edge. A deadly attack in the Red Sea, lower U.S. output forecasts, and new copper tariffs from President Trump are all influencing prices. Brent and WTI both fell slightly as traders weighed the risks. There’s a lot happening at once: OPEC+ is adding more oil to the market, but inventories haven’t climbed, showing strong demand. Meanwhile, U.S. travel surged over the July 4 weekend, giving short-term support to fuel prices. The big question now is how rising global tensions and shifting trade policies will shape energy markets going forward.

This Warning Signal Says Recession Risk Is Triple the Normal Rate

A growing gap between two key consumer confidence measures is flashing a warning sign for the U.S. economy—and the stock market. The unusually wide spread between the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index (UMI) has historically signaled an increased risk of recession. Right now, that spread is in the top 10% of its historical range, a level associated with a tripled chance of recession within 12 months. The disconnect suggests Americans are generally optimistic about the economy—but more worried about their personal financial situations. This divergence has preceded weaker performance in stocks, […]

$4 Trillion Milestone Fuels AI Hype — and Valuation Concerns

Nvidia just hit a massive milestone: a $4 trillion market value—more than any company in history. Its stock has soared over 1,000% since 2023, powered by booming demand for its AI chips from tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon. But some market watchers are raising red flags. Nvidia now makes up 7.5% of the entire S&P 500, and that kind of dominance can create serious risks if sentiment turns. While analysts say the stock is still reasonably priced given its earnings growth, the broader market looks increasingly reliant on just a few high-flying names—an imbalance that could spark trouble if […]

Trump Eyes Fed Shakeup: Hassett, Bessent Among Top Contenders

President Trump is getting louder about replacing Fed Chair Jerome Powell—and the list of candidates is growing fast. Names like Kevin Hassett, Scott Bessent, and Kevin Warsh are being floated, with each offering sharp critiques of the current Fed’s direction. Trump has been especially vocal about wanting lower interest rates and blames Powell for not moving fast enough. One scenario being considered: appointing Hassett to the Fed board first, then making him Chair when Powell’s term ends next May. Trump has even joked about liking Bessent more than Powell and hasn’t ruled out giving him both the Treasury and Fed […]

World Gold Council: Gold ETF Inflows Hit Highest First-Half Total Since 2020

“Gold ETFs capped off a strong first half of 2025 with global inflows of $38 billion—the highest six-month total since H1 2020. June alone saw a significant surge across all regions, lifting global gold ETF holdings to their highest level in nearly three years. Total assets under management (AUM) rose 41% to $383 billion. North America led the inflows with $21 billion for H1, driven by mounting geopolitical risks and shifting interest rate expectations. Europe turned positive for the first time since 2022, adding $6 billion in the first half. Asia recorded a historic $11 billion in inflows, with China, […]

Consolidation, Not Capitulation: Why Gold’s Rally May Still Have Legs

Gold, silver, and platinum are taking a breather after a big run-up—but don’t count them out just yet. Gold and silver are both up 26% so far this year, and platinum is leading the pack with a 54% surge. Prices have leveled off recently, especially for gold, but experts say this is likely just a pause before another leg higher. The forces driving metals higher—like central bank buying, inflation risks, and a weaker dollar—are still in play. Plus, with interest rate cuts on the table, gold and silver could get a boost as holding metals becomes more attractive than short-term […]

Dollar Rallies as Trump Threatens Tariffs on Copper, Semiconductors

The U.S. dollar held near its highest level in over two weeks against the Japanese yen as President Trump ramped up trade tensions, announcing a fresh round of tariffs set to begin August 1. The dollar also edged higher against major currencies following threats of levies on copper, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Despite recent strength, the dollar index remains down over 6% since Trump introduced “Liberation Day” tariffs in April. Markets are interpreting these aggressive moves as negotiation tactics, but Japan remains far from a deal, causing its yen to weaken sharply. Investors are also watching upcoming Japanese elections and U.S. […]