Interest Rate Realities: The End of Zero-Percent Era?As 2024 unfolds, the financial markets face a new reality: the era of ultra-low, zero-percent interest rates is likely over. Investors, who initially believed the economy was deteriorating, adjusted their expectations towards the end of 2023, recognizing signs of improving economic conditions and a potential decrease in both inflation and interest rates. However, recent developments […] READ MORE Japan's Gold Market Transformation: From Major Importer to Net ExporterJapan, once a dominant force in global gold importing during the 1980s and 1990s, has undergone a significant shift in its gold market dynamics. This change was initially influenced by the introduction of a consumption tax and further accelerated after the collapse of Japan’s economic bubble in the 2000s. The country, which used to import […] READ MORE Gold's Unpredictable Dance with Interest Rates: Morgan Stanley Reveals a Weakening BondMorgan Stanley’s recent analysis highlights a significant shift in how gold prices react to US interest rates and bond yields. Traditionally, gold prices have been influenced by the US dollar and inflation-adjusted bond yields, but this relationship notably weakened in the latter half of last year. Despite the decrease in US real yields, gold didn’t […] READ MORE Fed’s Barr Declares End to Emergency Loan Program Amid Banking StabilityMichael Barr, the Fed’s vice chair for supervision, announced that the Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program, initiated during last year’s regional banking crisis, will not be extended past its March 11 expiration. The program, designed as a temporary measure to alleviate financial system stress, allows banks and credit unions to borrow funds for up […] READ MORE PIMCO Cautions: Inflation and Recession Battles Not Yet WonPIMCO, a leading U.S. bond manager, has issued a warning against early optimism over conquering inflation and recession. Despite market hopes for a smooth economic trajectory, PIMCO advises caution, emphasizing the continued risk of recession. They predict bonds may outshine stocks in 2024 if a recession hits, offering a safeguard against potential inflation spikes. However, […] READ MORE Supply and Demand Dynamcis Shows Silver is UndervaluedSilver is currently underpriced when considering the supply and demand dynamics for 2023. The Silver Institute’s preliminary projections suggest a record industrial demand for silver, leading to a significant market deficit. At the Silver Industry Dinner in New York City, it was revealed that industrial silver demand is expected to surge by 8% to an […] READ MORE World Bank Forecasts Bleak Economic Outlook: Worst Growth in 30 YearsThe World Bank’s recent report paints a grim picture for the global economy, predicting the poorest half-decade growth in 30 years. Global growth is expected to slow down further in 2024 to 2.4%, marking the third consecutive year of deceleration. Although a slight increase to 2.7% is anticipated in 2025, this growth rate still falls […] READ MORE Credit Card Debt Climbs: 56 Million Americans in Prolonged Debt Amid Economic PressuresThe credit card debt situation in the U.S. is becoming increasingly concerning, with a record $1.08 trillion in balances as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Ted Rossman, a senior analyst at Bankrate, highlights a staggering 40% rise in credit card balances over the past two years. Notably, nearly half of all […] READ MORE Gold Shines Amid Tough Year for Commodity Returns in 2023The year 2023 proved difficult for commodities, with most experiencing lackluster returns. However, gold emerged as a notable exception, reaching an all-time high of $2,135 an ounce. This surge in gold prices was largely driven by increasing investor interest in safe-haven assets, spurred by the growing likelihood of rate cuts in 2024 and a weakening […] READ MORE « Previous 1 … 187 188 189 190 191 … 201 Next »