Core Insights - Economist Peter Schiff warns of a potential housing crisis in the U.S., suggesting that many homeowners may default on their mortgages and "mail in their keys" due to inability to sell their homes for more than they owe [6][2] - The current housing market is characterized by tight lending standards and a significant shortage of homes, estimated at 4.7 million, which has kept prices elevated despite rising mortgage rates [1][3][4] Housing Market Dynamics - The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has increased from below 3% to over 6% in recent years, contributing to a disconnect between home prices and borrowing costs [3][4] - The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index has risen more than 50% over the past five years, indicating persistent high prices despite increased mortgage rates [3][4] Economic Implications - Schiff predicts that home prices will eventually need to adjust downward to align with higher mortgage rates, which could lead to a "housing emergency" [3] - The affordability crisis in the housing market reflects broader cost-of-living pressures, with inflation driving up the costs of materials, labor, and land, thereby increasing home values [13] Investment Opportunities - Despite concerns in the housing market, there is a trend of rising rents, which can provide landlords with a steady cash flow that adjusts with inflation [12][13] - Real estate is viewed as a productive, income-generating asset, with investment options available through crowdfunding platforms that allow for lower entry costs [14][15]

As gold reached a new all-time high on Sept. 23, Binance founder and crypto billionaire Changpeng "CZ" Zhao mocked it, claiming its utility is limited by physical constraints. "Gold is great if you can carry it everywhere, through airports, for example, you have all the right sizes to pay people with, you can verify its pureness when receiving it, and they don't dig more of it out of the ground…" CZ wrote on X. Binance Co-Founder Changpeng Zhao, or CZ, delivers a speech at the opening event of Europe's ...

I've been kind of uh slowly not doing as much dollar cost averaging as I used to do in the bare market because I think we're headed into the uh a blowoff top at some point in Q4. But I just want to notice I noticed this today that uh Kraken just came out with what's called bundles or baskets. And I thought to myself, this is a pretty good idea because there's this one that you can just allocate funds to.It's called the there's there's many of them. as an inflation hedge, world liberty financials holding. I ...

Core Insights - Gold prices have reached an all-time high of approximately $3,780 per ounce, marking a significant rally that is expected to continue [2][6] - Deutsche Bank analysts predict gold prices could exceed $4,000 by the end of 2025, suggesting a potential full-year return of over 50% [3] - Central banks globally are increasing their gold reserves, with 95% of central bankers expecting an increase this year, driven by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty [7][8] Market Dynamics - The surge in gold prices is attributed to several factors, including geopolitical tensions, a weaker U.S. dollar, and the interest rate outlook [6][9] - The U.S. dollar index has declined over 10% this year, contributing to gold's attractiveness as it is priced in dollars [9][11] - The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts are expected to further boost demand for gold, as lower Treasury yields make gold more appealing to investors [12] Investment Strategies - Experts recommend increasing exposure to gold as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, with options including bullion and gold-related exchange-traded funds [4] - Veteran bond trader Jeffrey Gundlach suggests a 25% allocation to gold in investment portfolios, considering current market trends [6][11] - The World Gold Council's survey indicates a shift in central bank strategies, with a focus on diversifying reserves away from the U.S. dollar [8]

Bitcoin (BTC) is on track to join gold as a recognized reserve asset within the decade, German lender Deutsche Bank (DBK) said in a report Monday, though the precious metal will likely keep its lead in official holdings for now. The U.S. dollar still makes up 57% of global reserves, the report noted, but signs of diversification are emerging. China’s U.S. Treasury holdings fell $57 billion in 2024, and momentum for crypto regulation is building in major markets. Deutsche Bank argues that bitcoin and gold ...

Core Insights - Real estate investment is viewed as a strong strategy for retirement planning due to its potential for generating passive income and capital appreciation over time [1][5] - Concerns regarding the sustainability of Social Security have increased, with projections indicating the exhaustion of the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund by fiscal year 2032 [2] - Warren Buffett supports the Social Security program, emphasizing its role as a transfer payment from productive individuals to retirees, and advocates for a reasonable level of sustenance for those beyond their productive years [3][4] Real Estate Investment Opportunities - New investing platforms are making it easier for individuals to access the real estate market, with options for both accredited and non-accredited investors [5][7] - Homeshares provides access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, previously dominated by institutional investors, with a minimum investment of $25,000 [6] - Mogul offers fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, allowing investments starting at $250, with an average annual internal rate of return (IRR) of 18.8% and cash-on-cash yields between 10% to 12% annually [8][9] Investment Security and Process - Each property on investment platforms is secured by real assets, ensuring that investors own the property through standalone LLCs, with blockchain-based fractionalization providing a verifiable record of ownership [10] - The investment process is streamlined, allowing individuals to browse properties and invest in as little as 30 seconds after account verification [11] - First National Realty Partners enables individual investors to access institutional-quality commercial real estate, focusing on grocery-anchored properties [12]

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices have surged nearly 40% year-to-date, significantly outperforming other assets like the S&P 500 and Bitcoin, which are up 12% and 23% respectively [1] Group 1: Gold Investment Trends - The SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) has attracted nearly $11 billion in fresh net assets, while the SPDR Gold Minishares Trust (GLDM) has seen net inflows of $6.5 billion, contributing to a total of approximately $28 billion in net new money for physical gold ETFs this year [2] - This influx is a stark contrast to the sub-$3 billion intake in 2024, indicating a renewed investor interest in gold [2] Group 2: Market Drivers - Factors such as trade tensions, geopolitical risks, and economic uncertainty have positioned gold as a preferred safe haven and inflation hedge [3] - J.P. Morgan has raised its gold price forecasts, projecting an average of $4,068/oz in 2026, with potential peaks of $4,250 in Q4 2024, while Goldman Sachs has warned of a possible $5,000/oz if interest rate cuts lead to increased investment in gold [3] Group 3: Gold ETFs and Income Generation - Gold ETFs have benefited from macroeconomic support and growing investor appetite, with income-generating ETFs like the Simplify Gold Strategy Plus Income ETF (YGLD) up 60% this year and the NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) up over 9% this quarter [4] - These ETFs utilize options overlays to provide income, appealing to income-seeking investors [4] Group 4: Gold Miners Performance - Gold mining equities have experienced remarkable growth, with the Global X Gold Explorers ETF (GOEX) up 101% year-to-date, and other mining ETFs like Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) up nearly 98% and 95% respectively [5][6] - Despite strong performance, miner ETFs have struggled to attract assets due to profit-taking and volatility concerns, although this trend may be changing as outflows decrease [6] Group 5: Future Outlook - The ongoing uncertainty regarding policy, regulation, and economic momentum suggests that the factors supporting gold prices are likely to persist, with forecasts indicating a potential 7-10% increase in gold prices from current levels [7] - There are various ETF options available for investors looking to capitalize on the gold market, including physical gold, income-generating gold, and equity-focused gold exposure [7]

Inflation has remained doggedly persistent in the United States economy since the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Although the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has fallen dramatically from its peak of 9.1% in July 2022, prices remain elevated across a wide range of consumer goods and services, especially housing and food. Unfortunately, analysts at J.P. Morgan Asset Management warn that Americans should brace for more pain. In their estimation, the effects of the Trump administration’s tariffs have yet to fully hi ...

Gold prices have indeed soared to all-time highs in 2025, prompting headlines about a historic rally. But according to Bank of America (BofA) Global Research, the story is more nuanced: The gold sector, while booming, hasn’t returned to all of the metrics that defined previous cyclical peaks, especially regarding its value relative to the broader equity market and its own historical valuations.This year, gold surged past major thresholds, as the traditional hedge against inflation and macroeconomic uncertai ...

Core Viewpoint - The investment landscape is shifting towards bonds, money markets, and precious metals, with gold being highlighted as a crucial asset for portfolio diversification and protection against economic uncertainties [1][10][11]. Investment Trends - Gold prices have surged approximately 40% year-to-date, with December futures settling at a record $3,686.40 per ounce [2]. - Global gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw inflows of $5.5 billion in August, contributing to a year-to-date total of $47 billion, marking the second strongest inflow on record [12]. Economic Factors - The move away from the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency, particularly after the confiscation of Russian reserves, has increased the appeal of gold [3]. - Rising U.S. debt levels and concerns regarding the Federal Reserve's independence are also driving interest in gold as a strategic reserve asset [3][6]. Central Bank Activity - Central banks have been purchasing gold at unprecedented levels, acquiring over 1,000 metric tons annually for the past three years, compared to an average of 400 to 500 metric tons in the previous decade [13]. - This trend is attributed to the need for diversification of reserves and hedging against geopolitical and currency risks [13][14]. Market Sentiment - Investor confidence in gold is reportedly strengthening, with a shift in perception from gold as merely an insurance asset to a strategic monetary anchor [11]. - Despite recent price increases, experts believe there is still potential for further gains in gold prices due to persistent inflation and geopolitical tensions [15][16]. Portfolio Recommendations - Financial advisors typically recommend allocating 5% to 10% of investment portfolios to gold, a strategy that remains relevant despite gold's price rise [6]. - UBS suggests a more conservative allocation of less than 5% to gold, emphasizing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets [7].