Gold keeps hitting record highs. Plus, is the Fed behind the curve on rate cuts?

Market Overview - The S&P 500 and NASDAQ are experiencing record highs, with the S&P up about 0.5% and NASDAQ up approximately 0.6% [2] - Alphabet has reached a market cap of over $3 trillion, joining Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia in this exclusive club, with a year-to-date gain of 32% [3][4] Federal Reserve Insights - The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points, with discussions around the potential for one to three total cuts this year depending on labor market conditions and inflation [8][20] - Inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, complicating the decision-making process for rate cuts [9][11] - Fed Chair Jay Powell's upcoming commentary is anticipated to provide insights into future rate cuts and the Fed's stance on inflation and employment [16][21] Trade and Economic Relations - Ongoing trade negotiations between the US and China are crucial, with Treasury Secretary Scott Besson meeting with Chinese officials to discuss tariffs and a potential TikTok deal [37][100] - The Chinese economy is showing signs of slowing, with retail sales and industrial output expanding less than expected, raising concerns about the property market's recovery [99][106] Gold Market Performance - Gold has seen significant gains, marking its best performance since 1979, driven by inflation concerns and central bank buying, particularly from China [77][81] - The current inflation rate is reported at approximately 2.9% according to CPI, with central banks continuing to purchase gold, contributing to its strength [80][82] - Seasonal trends indicate that September is typically a weak month for gold, but the metal has performed well despite this, suggesting potential strength moving into October and December [86][90] Company-Specific Developments - Micron's stock target has been raised by Deutsche Bank due to strong demand for high bandwidth memory chips, essential for AI data centers [51] - The RealReal has seen its price target increased by B. Riley Securities, citing significant margin potential and growth confidence [52] - Beyond Meat's stock has been downgraded by Argus Research due to declining sales and a weak balance sheet, with a 20% year-over-year revenue drop reported [54]