100 Days In: Trump’s ‘Strategic Uncertainty’ on Tariffs Leaves Markets Guessing

Published: 04-30-2025, 12:45 pm | Updated: 04-30-2025, 11:09 am Consumer confidence has fallen for the fifth consecutive month, reaching its lowest level since the early COVID-19 pandemic. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 86 in April, below both March’s 92.9 reading and economists’ expectations of 88. Particularly concerning is the Expectations Index, which fell to 54.4 – its lowest since 2011 and well below the 80 threshold that typically signals an upcoming recession. Inflation expectations have risen to 7%, and job outlook has deteriorated significantly, with 32.1% of consumers expecting fewer job opportunities. These concerns appear linked to

Published: 04-30-2025, 12:00 pm | Updated: 04-30-2025, 10:40 am In Q1 2025, gold demand reached its highest first-quarter level since 2016, totaling 1,206 tonnes—a 1% year-over-year increase. This growth was primarily driven by gold ETF inflows, which contributed to a remarkable 170% surge in total investment demand to 552 tonnes, the highest since Q1 2022. Central banks maintained their gold buying trend with 244 tonnes purchased, while retail investors, especially in China, kept bar and coin demand elevated at 325 tonnes (15% above the five-year average). Technology sector demand remained unchanged at 80 tonnes, benefiting from AI industry growth but

Published: 04-30-2025, 11:45 am | Updated: 04-30-2025, 10:15 am According to reports, China has quietly exempted select US goods from its 125% tariffs to ease trade tensions without making public concessions. Companies in pharmaceuticals and technology sectors are being privately informed of these exemptions, with recent examples including US ethane and semiconductor products. Meanwhile, President Trump has defended his 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, claiming China will “eat” the costs rather than US consumers. Despite this tough public stance, his administration is reportedly considering phased reductions and reviving trade talks. The tariffs have already caused a 60% decline in cargo