Core Viewpoint - The World Gold Council analysts believe that gold prices will benefit from the soaring U.S. deficit and increasing fiscal instability, even in the absence of short-term crises [2] Group 1: Economic and Fiscal Factors - The passage of the "Big and Beautiful" bill is expected to add $3.4 trillion in debt over the next decade unless the Trump administration meets its growth forecasts, raising the debt ceiling by $5 trillion [2] - Political tensions, particularly Elon Musk's threat to form the "American Party," are contributing to accumulating fiscal and political risks [2] - Global capital is being reallocated due to these uncertainties, with a weakening dollar driving up gold prices and U.S. Treasury yields [2][5] Group 2: Investor Behavior and Market Dynamics - Investors are increasingly turning to gold as a safe haven due to rising fiscal concerns, despite the traditional view that rising interest rates hinder gold prices [2][7] - Since 2022, other factors have rebalanced the inverse correlation between interest rates and gold prices, with gold prices rising even when real interest rates exceed 2% [2] - Central bank purchases, particularly from emerging market central banks, have become a significant factor in the strengthening of gold prices [2] Group 3: Long-term Implications - The long-standing fiscal issues have been a crucial support for the gold market, especially as the gap between U.S. Treasury yields and fixed-rate swaps widens, indicating increased market sensitivity to U.S. fiscal problems [5] - Although the World Gold Council does not foresee a full-blown fiscal crisis in the U.S., a series of smaller crises could arise due to debt ceiling issues or defaults, increasing market instability and demand for gold as a safe haven [5][6] - Analysts warn that if leaders appear to weaken their commitment to long-term fiscal discipline, the bond market's reaction could be swift and severe [6]

Core Viewpoint - The rise in long-term bond yields across major economies, including the US, Japan, and Europe, is driven by concerns over fiscal instability and inflation, leading to potential economic slowdown and market volatility [1][3][6]. Group 1: Bond Market Trends - On May 21, the yield on the US 30-year Treasury bond rose to nearly 5.1%, the highest level in 1.5 years, with an increase of over 0.4% since the beginning of May [3]. - The rise in yields is not limited to the US; the UK 30-year bond yield reached 5.5%, and Germany's rose to approximately 3.1% [3]. - Japan's newly issued 30-year and 40-year bonds also hit historical highs, reflecting a broader trend of increasing long-term interest rates [3][6]. Group 2: Economic Indicators and Inflation - Concerns over inflation have intensified, with the US April employment data exceeding market expectations, leading to a belief that the Federal Reserve may only lower interest rates once this year [4]. - In the UK, the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.5% year-on-year in April, the highest in 15 months, prompting discussions about the pace of future interest rate cuts by the Bank of England [5]. Group 3: Fiscal Instability - The US Congress is coordinating fiscal legislation that could lead to a significant deterioration in fiscal health, with estimates suggesting a potential increase in public debt by $3 trillion to $5 trillion over the next decade [6]. - Japan is also experiencing fiscal expansion discussions ahead of the summer elections, with proposals for tax cuts [6]. - The perception of fiscal instability is contributing to rising interest rates, as investors express concerns over the sustainability of government debt [6][7]. Group 4: Impact on Investment and Financial Markets - The increase in long-term interest rates poses challenges for investments reliant on long-term borrowing, such as housing, with the 30-year mortgage rate rising to 6.92% [8]. - High interest rates may lead to increased bankruptcies among heavily indebted companies and could impact financial institutions holding significant amounts of US Treasuries [8].