Core Viewpoint - The performance of gold investments has exceeded expectations, with prices reaching over 30 historical closing highs this year, prompting discussions on the future of gold as an investment asset [1][6]. Investment Logic - Despite the recent surge in gold prices, the investment rationale remains unchanged, with recommendations for portfolio allocations of 5%-10% in gold [2][3]. - Gold is viewed as a form of insurance, and its allocation should be adjusted based on market conditions rather than eliminated [2][3]. Market Conditions - The current financial market is described as "bubble-like," indicating a need for disciplined investment strategies as the era of high returns in equities may not last [2][3]. - Factors such as rising U.S. debt, concerns over the independence of the Federal Reserve, and the trend of de-dollarization are influencing the rationale for holding gold [1][3]. Changing Role of Gold - Gold's role is evolving from a traditional safe-haven asset to a strategic reserve asset for institutional investors and sovereign nations, reflecting a shift in market perception [5][6]. - The demand for gold is being driven by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, which are amplifying its appeal as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation [6][7]. Recent Trends - There has been a notable increase in investment interest in gold, with global gold-backed ETFs attracting $5.5 billion in August alone, marking the second-highest inflow in history [6]. - Central banks have been purchasing gold at unprecedented rates, with annual purchases exceeding 1,000 tons over the past three years, compared to an average of 400-500 tons in the previous decade [6]. Future Outlook - Analysts suggest that the upward trend in gold prices may continue, supported by persistent inflation and geopolitical factors that reinforce gold's role as a long-term hedge [7].

Group 1 - The New York stock market showed mixed results on June 4, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down by 91.90 points, closing at 42427.74 points, a decrease of 0.22%. The S&P 500 index rose by 0.44 points to 5970.81 points, an increase of 0.01%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 61.53 points to 19460.49 points, a rise of 0.32% [1] - The S&P 500 index had six sectors rising and five falling, with the communication services and materials sectors leading gains at 1.36% and 0.35%, respectively. Conversely, the energy and utilities sectors led declines at 1.89% and 1.70% [1] - ADP reported that the U.S. private sector added 37,000 jobs in May 2025, significantly below the market expectation of 110,000 and the revised 60,000 from April, marking the lowest level since March 2023 [1] Group 2 - Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, expressed concerns that unnatural interest rate cuts could have negative consequences, stating that lowering rates and printing money does not make people wealthy [2] - Mike Dickson from Horizon Investment Company noted that the private sector job data often contains noise, suggesting that the upcoming non-farm payroll data on June 6 will provide a clearer picture of the job market [2] - The final data from S&P Global indicated that the U.S. composite purchasing managers' index for May was 53, up from the initial 52.1 and April's 50.6. The services index for May was 53.7, higher than the initial 52.3 and April's 50.8 [2] Group 3 - Dickson anticipates that the stock market will experience range-bound fluctuations due to a lack of stimulating factors [3] - Dalio believes that the current phase presents higher-than-normal risks, advising investors to diversify their portfolios and reduce emphasis on debt assets. He suggested that gold could be a good asset for risk diversification, recommending a 10% to 15% allocation in investment portfolios [3]