If you want to grow a stake of $5,000 in either Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) or XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) into a hearty sum of $15,000, you'll need to master your investing process as well as your own psychology. Those two pieces of the puzzle are just as important as the performance of the assets. Here are three things to do that'll increase your odds dramatically. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See ...

The Straits Times Index (SGX: ^STI) recently breached new highs, past the 5,000 level, before reversing down.With the index near fresh highs, investors are confronted with the old, so familiar feeling of the fear of missing out (FOMO); is it too late to buy stocks now?History shows that when indexes make new highs, further gains usually follow suit. However, fresh highs also mean elevated valuations; your individual stock selection now matters more than ever.  In this article, we take a look at three compan ...

Core Insights - The stock market has experienced significant growth over the last three years, with major indexes reaching record highs driven by innovations such as AI and quantum computing, as well as a surge in precious metals like silver and gold [1][5] Group 1: Silver Market Dynamics - Silver has shown remarkable returns, with futures approaching a nearly 300% increase over the past year before a significant drop [5] - The demand for silver is expected to rise due to its critical role in solar panels and electric vehicle batteries, driven by the growth of renewable energy [6] - The increase in U.S. money supply during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has positioned gold and silver as stores of value, contrasting with the infinite supply of U.S. dollars [7] Group 2: Market Sentiment and Volatility - The fear of missing out (FOMO) has significantly influenced silver prices, leading to a rapid increase from around $50 to nearly $122 per ounce [8] - On January 30, silver futures experienced a dramatic decline of 31% in a single day, marking the worst performance since March 1980, attributed to the bursting of the FOMO bubble rather than external manipulation [9]

Core Insights - Precious metals, particularly silver and gold, are experiencing a record-breaking rally, with silver reaching an all-time high of $100.10 and gold nearing $5,000 at approximately $4,945.21 [1][2] - The surge in precious metal prices is attributed to increased demand for safe-haven assets amid global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, particularly related to U.S. President Donald Trump's actions and statements [3][4] Price Movements - Silver's price has increased nearly 4% to a record $100.10 [1] - Gold's price is approximately $4,945.21, slightly down from an earlier high of $4,970 [2] - Copper prices have also surged, surpassing $13,000 per ton, reaching as high as $13,173.50 [2] Market Dynamics - The rally in precious metals is driven by factors such as fear of missing out (FOMO) and a desire for safe-haven assets due to U.S.-European tensions and a weakening U.S. dollar [3] - Goldman Sachs has raised its gold price forecast from $4,900 to $5,400 by the end of 2026, indicating strong bullish sentiment in the market [2] Geopolitical Influences - Recent international events, including the U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, protests in Iran, and Trump's push to annex Greenland, have contributed to rising metals prices [4] - Trump's dropping of tariff threats against the EU has been seen as a factor that could have led to a decrease in metal prices, yet the unpredictability surrounding his presidency has led to increased gold demand as a hedge [3][4] Historical Context - In 2025, gold prices rose about 65% and silver surged as much as 150%, driven by federal interest rate cuts and increased demand for silver in technological industries [5] - A price squeeze in silver occurred due to fears of tariffs, leading to a shortage in the London trading hub [5]

Core Insights - Precious metals, particularly gold and silver, are experiencing a significant rally due to geopolitical tensions and a weakening U.S. dollar, with silver nearing $100 and gold approaching $5,000 [1][2] Price Movements - Silver's price increased over 3% to approximately $99.73, slightly down from a high of $99.92 earlier in the day [1] - Gold's price was around $4,941.30, down from a high of $4,970 [2] - Copper prices surged past $13,000 per ton, reaching as high as $13,173.50 [2] Market Trends - The precious metals rally has been ongoing since 2025, with Goldman Sachs raising its gold price forecast from $4,900 to $5,400 by the end of 2026 [2] - Analysts attribute the surge in precious metals prices to global uncertainty and a shift towards safe-haven assets amid U.S.-European tensions [3][4] Influencing Factors - Key events contributing to the rise in gold and silver prices include the U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, protests in Iran, and new export restrictions on silver imposed by China [4] - President Trump's actions regarding Greenland and his tariff threats have also played a role in increasing international tensions, further driving demand for precious metals [4] Historical Context - In 2025, gold prices rose by approximately 65%, while silver surged by as much as 150%, driven by federal interest rate cuts and increased demand in technological sectors [5] - A price squeeze in silver occurred due to fears of tariffs, leading to a shortage in London trading hubs [5]

Core Insights - Silver has experienced a remarkable surge, with prices increasing over 150% year-to-date, significantly outperforming equities and other asset classes [2][5] - The rise in silver prices has led to a cultural phenomenon on social media, with memes and jokes proliferating as investors react to the market rally [1][2] Price Performance - As of December 24, silver settled at $71.8775 per ounce, marking a significant year where it became the third-most valuable asset globally, surpassing major companies like Apple Inc and Alphabet [4] - International silver prices have risen 158% year-to-date, while gold has increased nearly 72% in the same timeframe [5] Market Dynamics - The surge in silver prices is attributed to strong industrial demand, particularly from sectors such as electric vehicles, solar energy, semiconductors, and data centers [6] - The rally has also been driven by a fear of missing out (FOMO) among investors, contributing to the momentum in silver's price increase [6]

Core Insights - Investors are heavily investing in AI, but there are concerns about the actual economic returns and potential risks associated with this trend [2][3][5] Group 1: Economic Outlook on AI - Richard Thaler expresses skepticism about the promised economic returns from AI, stating that there will be both winners and losers, but it is uncertain who they will be [2][3] - Thaler manages approximately $30 billion in small-cap assets and emphasizes the unpredictability of AI's economic impact [2][4] - The market is currently pricing AI-related stocks at record highs, raising concerns that profits may be overestimated or delayed [5] Group 2: Historical Context and Comparisons - Thaler draws parallels between the current AI hype and past technological revolutions, such as the introduction of the iPhone, which transformed access to information but did not guarantee immediate profits [4] - He recalls Amazon's early struggles in the late 1990s with its bookselling business, which only became profitable later with the success of Amazon Web Services (AWS) [4] Group 3: Market Sentiment and Behavior - The market's resilience amidst tariffs and policy uncertainty is puzzling to Thaler, who notes that it may be driven by sentiment rather than fundamentals [5][6] - He describes the market as a "voting machine," suggesting that fear of missing out (FOMO) could be influencing stock prices more than actual economic indicators [6]

Core Insights - A global surge in retail demand for physical gold and silver is observed, with queues forming outside bullion shops in various countries, indicating a potential market euphoria [1][2][4] - Gold's total market capitalization has surpassed $30 trillion, leading analysts to suggest that this frenzy could signify a "macro top" for the asset [1] - The phenomenon is not limited to gold, as there is also a notable increase in silver purchases, with interest spanning across different age demographics [2][3] Retail Demand Trends - Viral videos from BullionStar in Singapore show long lines of customers waiting before opening hours, a trend mirrored in Sydney and other global locations [2] - In Vietnam, reports indicate that some gold shops have run out of stock due to overwhelming demand, with signs stating "Temporarily out of gold for sale" [4][5] - The buying frenzy is characterized by a "herd mentality," with customers queuing for hours, and Japan's top gold retailer struggling to meet demand [5] Market Dynamics - The surge in gold buying follows recent pro-gold legislation in Florida, which will allow gold and silver coins to become legal tender and sales tax-exempt starting July 2026 [6] - Analysts express caution regarding the retail psychology, suggesting that while demand is high, some investors may face challenges in exiting their positions [6]

Core Insights - The demand for precious metals, particularly gold and silver, is experiencing a significant surge, driven by both retail investors and institutional players like central banks [1][10]. Group 1: Market Demand - The UK's Royal Mint is facing overwhelming demand for physical silver coins, indicating a broader interest in precious metals beyond central banks [1]. - In Australia, long queues have formed outside bullion shops, with reports of lines reaching 60 meters, reflecting a gold buying frenzy that has seen prices increase over 50% in the past year [4][8]. - Goldman Sachs has raised its gold price forecast to $4,900 per ounce by December 2026, suggesting potential gains for current buyers [8][9]. Group 2: Investor Sentiment - Retail investors, including everyday citizens and Wall Street giants, are increasingly purchasing gold as a hedge against economic uncertainty [8]. - The sentiment among buyers is driven by fears of missing out (FOMO) and a belief that gold is a safer investment compared to stocks and cryptocurrencies [13][16]. - Cultural factors also play a role, with some investors from backgrounds where gold is traditionally valued, viewing it as a stable investment [15][16]. Group 3: Economic Context - Factors contributing to the rising gold prices include strong central bank purchases, geopolitical tensions from events like the U.S.-China trade war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine [10]. - The historical context of gold as a stable currency is highlighted, with its value having increased significantly since the end of the Bretton Woods system [11]. - The supply of gold is limited and requires sophisticated mining techniques, contrasting with the ease of printing paper money, which can lead to inflation [12].