Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-08-18 22:45Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impending decline of the US dollar's dominance, triggered by various economic and political factors, leading to significant volatility in global financial markets [1][4][11]. Group 1: Federal Reserve Decisions - The Federal Reserve decided to maintain interest rates at 4.25-4.5%, with a focus on controlling inflation, while omitting previous language suggesting potential rate cuts [3][9]. - The probability of a rate cut in September surged to 62.6%, with speculation of four rate cuts under a new chairperson [3][9]. - The internal conflict within the Federal Reserve was highlighted by a historic 9:2 vote against the chairperson's decision, marking the first public dissent since 1993 [9][10]. Group 2: Market Reactions - The financial markets exhibited a split behavior, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping nearly 1%, while the Nasdaq reached a historic high, driven by tech giants like Nvidia and Tesla [3][4]. - Gold futures prices surged past $3444 per ounce, and a significant increase in silver ETF holdings was noted, indicating a market bet on future monetary easing [3][4]. - The volatility in the markets reflects a broader concern over the potential for a bubble, given the high leverage in the US stock market [3][4]. Group 3: Global Financial Landscape - Central banks globally sold $36 billion in US Treasury bonds in April and accumulated 280 tons of gold in the first half of the year, indicating a shift away from the dollar [4][11]. - The concept of "de-dollarization" is gaining traction, with countries like Brazil and entities in the EU and ASEAN exploring alternatives to the dollar for trade [4][11]. - The US dollar index has fallen by 9.15% this year, prompting investors to seek ways to mitigate the risks associated with dollar depreciation [4][11]. Group 4: Economic Data Contradictions - The second quarter GDP growth was attributed to a decrease in imports, while domestic demand growth hit a two-and-a-half-year low [7][9]. - Job creation in the private sector exceeded expectations, but the drop in unemployment was due to a reduction in labor supply rather than increased demand [7][9]. - Inflationary pressures are evident, with nearly 90% of businesses planning to pass on costs to consumers, exacerbated by tariffs [7][9].