Market Watch: Gold Surges on Fed Concerns, Trump Overhauls Immigration Visas

Group 1: Gold Market Insights - Goldman Sachs warns that gold prices could surge to nearly $5,000 an ounce if the Federal Reserve's independence is undermined, potentially triggering a flight from traditional assets into the precious metal [2][3] - The investment bank's base case forecast sees gold climbing to $4,000 an ounce by mid-2026, with the $5,000 target achievable if just 1% of the privately owned U.S. Treasury market shifts into gold [4] - JPMorgan Chase analysts echo these concerns, forecasting gold at $4,250 per ounce by the end of 2026, amid ongoing central bank gold purchases and expectations of future Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [4] Group 2: Immigration Policy Changes - President Trump signed an executive order imposing a new annual $100,000 fee on companies for obtaining or renewing H-1B visas, significantly impacting industries reliant on foreign skilled workers [5][6] - The new "Gold Card" visa program offers a fast-track path to U.S. residency for wealthy foreigners, requiring a contribution of $1 million for individuals and $2 million for corporate sponsors, aiming to attract substantial foreign investment [7][8] - The "Gold Card" is intended to replace or significantly alter the existing EB-5 investor visa program, with notable features including potential exemption from federal income tax on income earned outside the U.S. [9]