Archegos Capital Management's Bill Hwang awaits sentencing for orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that resulted in billions of dollars in losses for Wall Street banks. Convicted on 10 charges, including fraud and market manipulation, Hwang faces up to 21 years in prison as recommended by prosecutors. The case highlights the risks of excessive leverage and the need for greater oversight of opaque investment vehicles.
Bitcoin has surged to unprecedented levels following MicroStrategy's massive $4.6 billion purchase, pushing its total holdings beyond $30 billion. The company intends to raise $2.6 billion more for additional Bitcoin investments. The cryptocurrency hit $94,668, benefiting from post-election optimism and increased interest in Bitcoin ETF options, indicating market expectations of continued growth.
President-elect Trump intensifies his search for a Treasury secretary, scheduling interviews with Kevin Warsh and Marc Rowan. The expanded candidate pool, which includes Scott Bessent, aims to break the deadlock in selecting the nation's top economic policymaker. Senator Bill Hagerty, another potential cabinet contender, joined Trump for a SpaceX launch, highlighting the ongoing deliberations for key positions.
Economists predict a Federal Reserve rate cut in December, followed by a slower pace of reductions in 2025 than previously expected1. This shift is attributed to potential inflationary pressures from President-elect Trump's proposed policies, including tariffs and tax cuts. Despite strong economic indicators and stubborn inflation, most economists still anticipate a 25 basis point cut next month, though market expectations have become less certain.
The Market & System has taken a turn for the worse since the election. The things I am seeing on social media and from financial news networks suggests that the market is going completely insane... I am serious. Also, interest in the precious metals has totally disappeared...
A new report commissioned by the Silver Institute suggests that institutional investors should allocate 4-6% of their portfolios to silver for optimal diversification and risk reduction. The study, conducted by Oxford Economics, highlights silver's low correlation with other asset classes and its potential for strong returns, especially given its growing industrial applications in green technologies.
Switzerland, a global hub for gold refining, is grappling with calls for greater transparency in its gold trade. Despite a court setback, industry groups are pushing for more rigorous due diligence and disclosure of supplier information. The move aims to address concerns about human rights violations and environmental damage in gold mining while maintaining Switzerland's competitive edge in the sector.
The 30-year US Treasury yield reached its highest level since May, attracting buyers and supporting bond prices. Investors are reassessing economic expectations and Fed policy in light of Donald Trump's election victory. The high yields are providing a cushion for investors, while new corporate bond sales and uncertainty over Trump's Treasury secretary pick are influencing market dynamics.
State Street's 2024 Gold ETF Impact Study reveals a surge in gold investment, driven by economic uncertainty. Gold ETFs emerge as a preferred investment vehicle, with a majority of investors using gold for diversification and long-term gains. The study emphasizes the potential for growth in gold ETF adoption, particularly among younger investors.
Federal Reserve officials are taking a cautious approach to Donald Trump's potential policies, unlike in 2016 when they quickly adjusted forecasts based on expected fiscal changes. Chair Jerome Powell emphasizes waiting for concrete policy proposals before making economic projections, contrasting with the Fed's previous rapid response to Trump's election.
According to a model from the Cleveland Federal Reserve, rent inflation will likely remain high until at least mid-2026. Despite some indicators suggesting new rents are decreasing, the overall consumer price index (CPI) for rent is expected to stay elevated due to reduced turnover in leases. This situation complicates the Federal Reserve's efforts to communicate about inflation and may hinder their ability to cut interest rates, as rising shelter costs significantly impact inflation metrics.
HSBC is undergoing a major restructuring, with hundreds of managers competing to keep their jobs in the newly formed corporate and institutional banking division. The process involves interviews pitting senior staff from different units against each other, likely resulting in several hundred job cuts in the coming weeks.
President Joe Biden has approved Ukraine's use of US-made long-range missiles for limited strikes within Russian territory, marking a significant policy shift. This decision comes in response to the deployment of North Korean troops supporting Russia and recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. The US-made ATACMS missiles, with a range of up to 300km, are likely to be used first against Russian and North Korean forces in Russia's Kursk region. This move has been met with criticism from Moscow, with Putin's spokesperson warning of an "appropriate" reaction. The decision comes just two months before Donald Trump, who is skeptical of additional military aid to Ukraine, takes office.
Gold prices bounced back on Monday after six consecutive sessions of losses, driven by a pause in the U.S. dollar's rally. Investors are now awaiting comments from Federal Reserve officials for insights into the future interest rate trajectory. The precious metal's price rose 1.3% to $2,593.32 per ounce, moving away from a two-month low reached last Thursday. This rebound comes after gold experienced its largest weekly decline in over three years due to expectations of less aggressive interest rate cuts by the Fed.
Since the gold price reached a new all-time high of $2,800, it has continued to correct lower. I knew this was likely the case because the notion that "This Time Was Different" didn't show up in the data. So, what's next for the gold price and get prepared for a broader market correction in 2025...
With newly elected President Trump promoting Bitcoin and crypto, we need to understand the complete Disaster and fiasco in the Bitcoin Mining Industry. No other industry in the world loses money and destroys capital as the Bitcoin Mining Industry...
Gold retreats from record highs but fundamentals remain strong. Expert analysis of market dynamics and institutional forecasts...
President-elect Trump's tax cut dreams have received a significant boost following the Republican sweep of the presidency and Congress. This victory opens the door for a multi-pronged approach to reducing taxes, going beyond simply renewing the 2017 cuts. While Republicans now have the power to enact tax legislation unilaterally, they must navigate internal debates about the size of tax cuts and their impact on the national deficit.
In recent remarks, Fed Chair Jerome Powell stressed that the robust U.S. economy provides flexibility in the timing of future rate cuts. He noted that the current economic conditions don't necessitate hasty rate reductions. Powell reaffirmed the Fed's commitment to bringing inflation down to 2%, acknowledging that the path may not always be smooth.
While economists predict significant economic disruption from Trump's proposed tariffs, many business leaders are less concerned. CEOs and investors are skeptical that Trump will follow through on all his tariff threats and express confidence in their ability to navigate any new trade policies. This optimism stands in stark contrast to economists' dire predictions.