Gold (GCZ25) doesn’t need an introduction. It has been around for much longer than the stock market. The New York Stock Exchange, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and the futures pit were not part of the Bible. Gold was. Gold is one of those investments that, when it is soaring as it is now, even people who do not follow the markets closely tend to know it is doing well. That could be because they are shopping for gold jewelry, or perhaps because they ran into one of the many TV commercials touting gold. Mo ...

Core Insights - Investors are increasingly turning to gold and cryptocurrencies as hedges against concerns over government debt and the stability of the U.S. dollar [2][4][5] Group 1: Market Trends - Gold prices have reached an all-time high of over $4,000 per troy ounce, while Bitcoin has surpassed $126,000, indicating a significant shift towards hard assets [3][8] - The SPDR Gold ETF (GLD) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) have seen substantial gains, contrasting with a decline in the U.S. dollar index (DXY) [3] Group 2: Investor Behavior - There is a notable trend of retail investors favoring gold ETFs and mutual funds over gold mining and refining companies, suggesting a preference for direct exposure to gold as a hedge against potential financial crises [6] - Private investors are increasingly purchasing physical gold, such as bars and coins, rather than ETFs, reflecting a desire for privacy and tangibility [7] Group 3: Economic Concerns - The surge in gold and Bitcoin prices highlights growing fears regarding inflation and long-term financial instability, prompting a shift away from dollar-denominated assets [4][5]