Members of Congress are legally allowed to trade stocks, but regulations exist to prevent conflicts of interest. In 2012, former President Barack Obama signed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, which prohibits lawmakers from using non-public information to gain an unfair advantage in the market and requires them to disclose stock trades within 45 days. Critics, however, say the law is largely toothless — enforcement is weak and violations often result in nothing more than small fines ( ...

Gold prices have been under pressure in recent trading sessions, pressured by receding expectations for another U.S. interest-rate cut next month. Prices briefly slipped below $4,000 an ounce before trimming losses following a three-day slide, per Bloomberg, as mentioned on Yahoo Finance.Investors are awaiting key data delayed by the U.S. government shutdown, while several Federal Reserve officials warned against easing policy — though Governor Christopher Waller expressed his support for a cut. Meanwhile, ...

Core Insights - Gold has experienced a significant price increase, doubling in value over the past two years [1] Price Movement - The price of gold has doubled, indicating a strong upward trend in the market [1]

I wrote " Good Leverage on Gold and Gold Miners " back in April this year about the WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strategy Fund ETF ( GDMN ), and it has done exceptionally well since then. GDMN is one ofI manage portfolios and write about the world. Long signal, short noise. Macro strategist and investment advisor from Southern California. You can also find me on YouTube and Substack under my name; my weekly newsletter is called The Macro Obsession.Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial lo ...

Weakening dollar, persistent geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and rising market expectations of further Fed rate cuts continue to support investor interest in gold. Gold price has risen 3.58% over the past five days and 55.39% year to date.Strong fundamental indicators could extend gold’s gains into 2026, boosting the case for increased portfolio allocation. According to Reuters, gold prices jumped on Monday, reaching a two-week high, on disappointing U.S. data, rising Fed rate cut expectations and ad ...

Core Insights - Investors are presented with a choice between the SPDR Gold Shares, which has significant assets under management, and the Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF, which offers lower costs for similar gold exposure [1][9]. Cost and Size Comparison - The Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) has an expense ratio of 0.18%, while the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher expense ratio of 0.40% [3][11]. - As of October 31, 2025, AAAU has a one-year return of 45.4%, slightly outperforming GLD's return of 45.2% [3]. - Assets under management (AUM) for AAAU stand at $2.2 billion, compared to GLD's $134.0 billion, indicating a significant size difference [3][11]. Performance and Risk Metrics - Over a five-year period, the maximum drawdown for AAAU is -20.94%, while GLD's is -21.03%, showing comparable risk profiles [4]. - The growth of an initial investment of $1,000 over five years would yield $2,092 for AAAU and $2,069 for GLD, indicating similar performance despite the size difference [4]. Fund Structure and Holdings - Both ETFs are designed to track the price of physical gold and hold only gold bullion, ensuring straightforward exposure to gold's performance [5][6]. - SPDR Gold Shares is categorized as 100% Basic Materials, while Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF is classified as 100% Real Estate, which is a labeling quirk rather than actual exposure [5][6]. Market Context - The price of gold has increased by over 50% in 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions and economic factors, leading central banks to increase their gold reserves [7].

Group 1: Gold Price Movement - Gold futures opened at $3,967.20 per ounce, nearly flat with Tuesday's close of $3,966.20, and moved above $4,000 in early trading [1] - The price of gold has changed as follows: one week ago: -3.5%, one month ago: +5.7%, one year ago: +43.3% [7] Group 2: Federal Reserve Interest Rate Expectations - The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points, with a 99.9% probability that the target federal funds rate will drop to a range of 375 to 400 basis points from the current 400 to 425 [1][2] - Limited data due to the government shutdown has made it challenging for the policymaking committee to evaluate economic risks [2] Group 3: Impact of Interest Rates on Gold Demand - Falling interest rates typically increase demand for gold by making cash and other interest-bearing assets less appealing [3] Group 4: Investment Options in Gold - Common ways to invest in gold include physical gold, gold mining stocks, gold ETFs, and gold futures [8] - Each investment option has its own pros and cons, affecting investor decisions [5][6][11][14][18][19][20]

Core Insights - The rising gold prices are prompting jewelers to reconsider their material choices, with some shifting from 18-karat to 14-karat gold or exploring gold-plated options to maintain brand aesthetics while managing costs [1][2][3] - Major retailers like Mejuri, Pandora, and Signet are adapting their strategies to cope with high gold prices, indicating a broader industry trend towards alternative manufacturing methods and supply chain optimization [2][3] - The current economic climate, marked by high inflation and significant debt levels, has led investment experts to recommend holding gold as a hedge, with some suggesting a 15% allocation in investment portfolios [3][4] Industry Trends - Jewelers are facing challenges due to soaring gold prices, leading to strategic shifts towards less expensive materials or alternative products [2][5] - The price of silver has also seen a significant increase, rising from approximately $40 per ounce in early September to over $54 in mid-October, indicating a broader trend in precious metals [5] - Interest in demi-fine jewelry is growing as consumers seek quality alternatives to solid gold at lower price points, reflecting changing consumer preferences in the jewelry market [5] Investment Opportunities - Investors have various avenues for gold investment, including physical assets, gold ETFs, mutual funds, and gold mining shares, each with distinct advantages and considerations [8][10][11][12] - Gold IRAs are popular for their tax advantages and inflation hedging, although they come with higher fees and lower liquidity [8] - Direct investment in physical gold can be challenging due to high entry costs and storage fees, making indirect investments more appealing for average investors [13]

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. China has emerged as a major force behind the recent surge in gold prices, with its growing influence projected to surpass even that of the U.S. dollar, according to a top economist. China Buys Up Gold “China is playing a key role in the ongoing rise in gold prices because of central bank buying, arbitrage trading, and increased speculative and safe-haven demand among Chinese households,” Torsten Slok, the ...

Core Insights - Gold investors took profits, leading to a decline in gold's value, with a notable drop of 5.7% on October 21 [1][2] - The opening price of gold futures on Wednesday was $4,137 per ounce, reflecting a 1.2% increase from Tuesday's close [1][4] - Gold's price has shown significant growth over the past month and year, with a 12.2% increase from $3,688.20 on September 22 and a 51.4% increase from $2,731.70 on October 22, 2024 [4] Market Influences - Factors such as the government shutdown, new tariff announcements, and ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions have contributed to gold's price fluctuations since mid-August [2] - The government shutdown has paused the weekly Commitments of Traders reporting, potentially leading to overbought positions among gold investors prior to the recent selloff [2] Investment Options - Various methods to invest in gold include physical gold, gold mining stocks, gold ETFs, and gold futures [6][9] - Each investment option has its own advantages and disadvantages, impacting investor decisions [10][11][14][18] Price Trends - The current price of gold reflects a slight decrease from the previous week's opening price of $4,145, indicating market volatility [4] - The price of gold has been on a steady upward trajectory, with significant increases noted over both the past month and year [4][18]