Gold's record run leads to latest market-moving tweak to the classic 60/40 investing portfolio

Core Viewpoint - The traditional 60/40 portfolio is losing relevance as investors shift towards a 60/20/20 allocation, with increased emphasis on alternative assets like gold and bitcoin [1][3]. Group 1: Portfolio Allocation Changes - Investors are moving away from the traditional 60/40 portfolio due to stocks and bonds moving in the same direction too often, and bonds no longer providing the expected protection against inflation and geopolitical risks [2]. - The new allocation model consists of 60% in stocks, 20% in fixed income, and 20% in alternative assets, reflecting a significant reduction in fixed income's role [1][3]. Group 2: Gold's Rising Importance - Gold has transitioned from a marginal hedge to a core holding in investment portfolios, recently reaching a record high above $4,300 and increasing over 60% since the beginning of the year [3]. - Factors driving gold's rise include central bank demand, de-dollarization, geopolitical tensions, and what is termed "the debasement trade" [3]. Group 3: Gold ETFs Performance - Gold ETFs have seen significant performance increases, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) up approximately 11% this month [4]. - September marked the largest monthly inflows into gold ETFs ever, with nearly $11 billion, and SPDR Gold Shares alone attracted over $4 billion [4]. - Total assets moved into gold funds this year have exceeded $38 billion, indicating strong investor interest [4].