Citadel CEO criticizes Trump’s Fed attacks, warning they could have ‘steep costs.’ Here’s how to protect your portfolio

Group 1: Inflation and Economic Context - The U.S. consumer price index has increased by 24% over the past five years, indicating significant inflationary pressures [2] - A historical perspective shows that $100 in 2025 will only buy what $12.05 could in 1970, highlighting the erosion of purchasing power due to inflation [2] - The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates three times in the previous year and maintained a target range of 3.5% to 3.75% in January 2026, acknowledging that inflation remains elevated [3] Group 2: Gold as an Investment - Gold is recognized as a hedge against inflation and market corrections, with its price surging by over 73% in the past 12 months [7] - Goldman Sachs has raised its gold price forecast for December 2026 to $5,400 per ounce, reflecting a further expected increase of 15% from early February [8] - Investors are encouraged to consider gold IRAs for retirement savings, which offer tax advantages while allowing investment in physical gold [9] Group 3: Real Estate as an Investment - Real estate is also viewed as a strong hedge against inflation, with property values and rental income typically rising during inflationary periods [11] - The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index has shown a five-year annualized return of 7.2%, driven by strong demand and limited housing supply [12] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow investors to participate in real estate with minimal capital, starting from as little as $100, without the burdens of property management [14] Group 4: Alternative Investments - The S&P 500 is currently trading at its highest price-to-earnings ratio since the dot-com boom, with projected annualized returns of only 3.9% to 5.9% over the next decade [22] - Postwar and contemporary art has emerged as an alternative investment class with low correlation to the market, attracting over 70,000 investors since 2019 through platforms like Masterworks [23] - Masterworks has reported net annualized returns of 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8% on sold artworks held for over a year, indicating strong performance in this asset class [24]