This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. The Trial Balance is CFO.com’s weekly preview of stories, stats and events to help you prepare. Part 1 — How U.S. involvement in Venezuelan politics may impact CFOs After years on the outskirts of global markets due to political and socioeconomic unrest, Venezuela reentered risk discussions this week as players in the oil and credit markets took stock of the U.S. capture of ...

BOJ Rate Hike to 0.75% Leaves Bitcoin Steady. Photo by BeInCrypto Japan’s 10-year government bond yields surged to 1.98% in December 2025, the highest level since the 1990s. It comes as markets braced for the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) policy meeting on December 19. The move has triggered a global rally in precious metals, with gold and silver surging 135% and 175%, respectively, since early 2023. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is under pressure as forced selling intensifies across Asian exchanges, highlighting a divergen ...

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices have experienced a significant decline after reaching a record high, presenting a potential buying opportunity for investors as the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates further before the year ends [1][3]. Group 1: Market Trends - Gold futures for December settled at $3,983.10 per ounce, marking a 0.9% decrease and a third consecutive session loss [3]. - Since the record high of $4,359.40 on October 20, gold prices have dropped nearly 9% [3]. - Despite the recent decline, gold is still trading approximately 3% higher this month and has gained nearly 51% year-to-date [3]. Group 2: Expert Insights - Ryan McIntyre from Sprott Inc. stated that gold remains well-positioned for long-term growth due to eroding global trust levels, which drive demand for independent assets [2]. - Aakash Doshi from State Street Investment Management described the recent decline in gold prices as temporary, suggesting a potential buying floor around $3,600 to $3,650 [4]. - Stefan Gleason from Money Metals Exchange noted that the expected interest rate cut by the Fed would support the pro-gold narrative, as lower rates benefit non-interest-yielding gold [5]. Group 3: Economic Context - The precarious fiscal outlook in Western economies, particularly the U.S. with high deficits and substantial federal debt, could support gold prices over the medium to long term as sovereign risk rises [2]. - Gleason emphasized that the world is overexposed to the U.S. dollar and underexposed to gold, predicting that gold prices will continue to rise in all fiat currencies after adjusting from recent fluctuations [6].

Currency Depreciation & Inflation - The dollar has depreciated by approximately 10% in the first half of the year, marking its single biggest decline in six months [1] - Inflation is substantially above target in all forecasts for next year [1] - There's substantial asset inflation away from the dollar, with people seeking ways to de-dollarize or de-risk their portfolios against US sovereign risk [2] Gold & Alternative Assets - Gold is at record highs, and other dollar substitutes like crypto are experiencing significant appreciation [2] - Sovereigns and central banks worldwide increasingly view gold as a safe harbor asset, replacing the dollar's traditional role [3][4] Investment & Hedging Strategies - Foreign investors are hedging their returns back to their local currency when buying US equities, indicating a desire to immunize sovereign exposure to the United States [4]

Group 1 - Inflation is projected to be substantially above target in all forecasts for the next year, contributing to a 10% depreciation of the dollar in the first half of this year, marking the largest decline [1] - There is significant asset inflation occurring away from the dollar, with gold reaching record highs and substantial appreciation in alternative assets like cryptocurrencies, as investors seek to mitigate US sovereign risk [2] - Gold is increasingly viewed as a safe harbor asset, similar to the historical perception of the dollar, raising concerns about the shift in investor sentiment towards hedging against US exposure when investing in U.S. equities [4] Group 2 - Central banks and individual investors globally are adjusting their strategies, indicating a shift in how they perceive and manage their investments in relation to U.S. assets [3][4] - Foreign investors are now hedging their returns back to their local currencies when purchasing U.S. equities, reflecting a bifurcation in investment strategies [4]

Group 1 - Global financial markets are showing a cautious tone as investors consider monetary policy shifts, economic deceleration, and geopolitical dynamics [2][9] - The Dollar Index (DXY) is steady at 97.50, with expectations for potential interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve that could weaken the dollar [2][9] - China's economy experienced a greater-than-expected slowdown in August, impacting global commodity markets and leading to initial losses in iron ore prices, which later stabilized [3][9] Group 2 - Singapore's residential property market is rebounding, with new home sales reaching a nine-month high in August, driven by a strong pipeline of new projects [3][9] - European investors are increasingly favoring corporate debt from blue-chip companies like L'Oréal, Airbus, and AXA over French government bonds, as their yields have fallen below those of the state debt [4][9] - The cryptocurrency industry is opposing the UK's proposed framework for stablecoins, indicating ongoing tensions between innovative financial technologies and traditional regulatory bodies [5][9] Group 3 - Australia's Finance Union is challenging ANZ Group Holdings Limited over recent job cuts and a $240 million fine, highlighting scrutiny on labor practices in the banking sector [6] - Beijing's confirmation of joint military training exercises with Thailand may attract attention from regional and global powers, reflecting geopolitical dynamics [6]