Donald Trump wants lower rates. Markets aren't sure he'll get them. ...

Core Viewpoint - The World Gold Council anticipates that lower interest rates, uncertainty in bond markets, and ongoing geopolitical risks will increase demand for gold this year [1] Group 1 - Lower interest rates are expected to contribute positively to gold demand [1] - Uncertainty in bond markets is likely to drive investors towards gold as a safe-haven asset [1] - Persistent geopolitical risks are anticipated to further bolster the appeal of gold among investors [1]

Core Viewpoint - The president is seeking an individual who can effectively pursue lower interest rates and possesses the credibility to achieve this goal [1] Group 1 - The focus is on finding a candidate who can deliver on the promise of lower interest rates [1]

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) investors got excited when President Donald Trump secured his second term, thinking that pro-crypto laws would result in another boom. However, the famed cryptocurrency is down by more than 10% since Trump's inauguration. It's also down by almost 30% since he took office, but momentum seems to be shifting in Bitcoin's favor. Since breaking past $90,000, is Bitcoin ready for another run? A few vital tailwinds are driving the gains and appear to be here to stay. Where to invest $1,000 ...

Key Takeaways The price of gold traded at record highs Monday after surpassing $5,000 per ounce for the first time over the weekend. The precious metal's recent rise reflects investor demand for hedges amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty, as other precious metals have also climbed in recent months. Gold finally hit the milestone traders have been waiting for. The spot price of the precious metal over the weekend topped $5,000 per troy ounce for the first time, and earlier Monday climbed ab ...

President Donald Trump 's plans for bringing homeownership within reach of more Americans involve pushing for lower interest rates on home loans and credit cards, and banning large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. In his address Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump outlined four policies his administration is pursuing in a bid to make homeownership more affordable. Each had been previously mentioned by him or his administration in recent weeks, part of ...

Core Insights - Bitcoin prices have reached a two-month high, nearing the $100,000 mark, driven by economic reports suggesting potential lower interest rates and advancing pro-crypto legislation [1][4] - The overall crypto market has seen a significant increase, with an aggregate market value rising from $3.17 trillion to $3.3 trillion, adding approximately $161 billion in value [3] Price Movements - Bitcoin's price increased by 3.5% in the last day to around $96,755, marking an over 8% rise since a recent low of $90,383 [1] - Other cryptocurrencies also experienced gains, including Ethereum (4.6%), XRP (1.6%), Solana (2.2%), and Dogecoin (3.1%) [2] Economic Influences - The rise in crypto prices is attributed to a mixed jobs report and lighter-than-expected inflation data, which have bolstered expectations for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates [4] - Historical trends indicate that cryptocurrency prices tend to rise during periods of lower interest rates, as seen during the pandemic when Bitcoin surged from $5,000 to around $69,000 [4] Legislative Developments - The Senate is progressing towards advancing the Clarity Act, which aims to clarify the regulation of digital assets by the SEC and CFTC, potentially impacting the crypto market positively [4] - Previous legislative efforts during the Trump administration significantly boosted Bitcoin prices, with Bitcoin reaching over $120,000 when pro-crypto legislation was promoted [5]

Core Viewpoint - The prevailing belief is that lower interest rates negatively impact banks and the financial sector by compressing net interest margins, reducing lending profits, and stalling dividend growth [1] Group 1 - Lower interest rates lead to a compression of net interest margins for banks [1] - Lending profits are expected to shrink as a result of lower interest rates [1] - Dividend growth for financial institutions may stall due to the effects of lower interest rates [1]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasizes the importance of lower interest rates for future economic growth, advocating for the Federal Reserve to act promptly in cutting rates [2][4]. Group 1: Interest Rate Cuts - The Federal Reserve implemented three interest rate cuts in the last four months of 2025, totaling 0.75 percentage points, bringing the key interest rate down to a range of 3.5%-3.75% [2]. - The pace of interest rate reductions is expected to slow in 2026, with markets anticipating only two cuts and Fed officials projecting just one [3]. Group 2: Economic Agenda - Bessent supports President Trump's economic agenda, highlighting the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, new trade deals, and a deregulation agenda as foundational for robust economic growth [5]. - The administration believes that cutting interest rates is the missing ingredient for stronger economic growth, which will positively impact the lives of citizens [2]. Group 3: Federal Reserve Leadership - A new chair for the Federal Reserve will be appointed this year, with Bessent overseeing the selection process, as current Chair Jerome Powell's term ends in May [4]. - Scott Bessent and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh are considered the leading candidates for the position [4].

Artisan Partners, an investment management company, released its “Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund” third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the quarter, the fund’s Investor Class fund ARTQX returned 0.97%, Advisor Class fund APDQX posted a return of 0.98%, and Institutional Class fund APHQX returned 0.97%, compared to a 6.18% return for the Russell Midcap Value Index. Equity markets continued their rally in the third quarter as investors overlooked tariff concerns, driv ...