Group 1 - The UK long-term government bond yields have reached their highest levels since 1998, with the 30-year bond yield rising to 5.67% and the 10-year bond yield to 4.78% [1][2] - The rising borrowing costs are creating significant pressure on the UK government, particularly as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces the challenge of cutting spending and increasing taxes to improve the fiscal situation [1][2] - There is a consensus among economists that the UK will soon need to raise taxes to comply with self-imposed fiscal rules, making borrowing costs a critical factor in the country's fiscal health [1] Group 2 - The decline in UK bond prices is influenced by global factors, with the UK bond market being particularly affected by a general sell-off in long-term bonds [2] - Over the past 12 months, the 30-year UK bond yield has increased by more than 100 basis points, compared to approximately 80 basis points for US and German bonds [2] - Supply pressures may also be impacting the bond market, as the UK government is set to issue a new 10-year bond this week [2]

Group 1 - Renowned economist and investor Nouriel Roubini predicts a challenging period for the US economy, expecting the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index to reach approximately 3.5% by year-end, with economic growth potentially turning negative [1] - Roubini describes the second half of the year as a "mini-stagflation shock," indicating that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates until at least December [1] - The Atlas America Fund (USAF), managed by Roubini, aims to mitigate various economic risks, including structural high inflation and climate change, and has shown a steady performance since its launch [2][3] Group 2 - The USAF has a small asset size of approximately $17 million and has increased by over 5% since its inception, demonstrating defensive characteristics during market downturns [2] - The fund's portfolio includes gold, short-term US government bonds, and exposure to agricultural commodities, with recent adjustments made to increase holdings in defense technology and cybersecurity stocks [2][3] - Roubini's significant investment in gold reflects a belief that the world is moving away from the US dollar, although he does not foresee a collapse of the dollar [3]