Gold is on a tear in 2025, with the latest threshold at $4,000 per troy ounce. Year-to-date gains are up 50%, turning gold into one of the best-performing investable assets around.There are several reasons for this boom: the Fed’s rate cuts, a weakening U.S. dollar, and the FOMO effect of everyone piling in on gold.And with geopolitical tensions escalating globally, inflation pressures remaining elevated, and monetary policy facing a delicate balancing act, government deficits and sovereign debt burdens are ...

Key TakeawaysIsrael and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal, with the Israeli government approving the first phase that entails Hamas freeing 20 living hostages in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The United States is deploying approximately 200 troops to Israel to establish a civil-military coordination center to monitor the ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid.China has intensified its control over the global supply chain of rare earth minerals, announcing new export cu ...

Gold (GC=F) futures opened at a record $4,007.10 per troy ounce on Wednesday, up 0.8% from Tuesday’s close of $3,976.60. This was the precious metal’s first open above $4,000. As the price of gold eclipses $4,000, the U.S. government shutdown continues. To force a reopening, President Trump has threatened to withhold backpay for federal workers. Meanwhile, the shutdown has paused the flow of economic data that helps central bank policymakers set interest rates. Federal Reserve officials have already expre ...

Industry Overview - The economics of metals mining are cyclical, with margins affected by commodity prices, as operational costs remain constant regardless of price fluctuations [1] - A rise in commodity prices can significantly expand margins for mining companies [1] Market Sentiment - Gold and silver have reached new 52-week highs, leading to increased profitability and positive market sentiment towards mining stocks [2] - The current metals rally presents potential investment opportunities in the mining sector [3] Investment Vehicles - For investors hesitant to buy physical gold, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) are recommended as convenient ways to track gold performance [3] - GLD has a larger market capitalization of approximately $111.92 billion, attracting significant institutional participation, with $2.8 billion in institutional buying last quarter [6][7] - IAU, with assets under management of about $52.20 billion, offers a lower expense ratio of 0.25%, making it attractive for long-term investors [9][10] Company Spotlight: Hecla Mining - Hecla Mining has experienced a 47.7% rally in stock price over the past month, driven by rising gold and silver prices [12][13] - Analysts have adjusted their ratings, with a consensus Hold rating valuing the stock at $7.4 per share, indicating a potential downside of 16.6% [14] - Some analysts, like Heiko Ihle from HC Wainwright, have a Buy rating with a target price of $12.5 per share, suggesting a possible 42% upside from current levels [14][15]

Core Viewpoint - The market is experiencing a rotation from technology stocks to defensive sectors, and there is potential for a shift from debt securities to precious metals, particularly gold, due to anticipated interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [1][2][3]. Market Reactions - Following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech, the S&P 500 rose by 1.52%, nearing its all-time high, while gold prices are expected to rise as investors move away from fixed income assets [2][3]. Gold Market Dynamics - Gold has been trading between $3,500 and $3,180 since reaching a record high in April, with expectations of a bullish trend as the Federal Reserve revises its monetary policy [4][5]. - The U.S. dollar has weakened by 10.69% from its year-to-date high of $109.98 to $98.22, which historically correlates with rising gold prices [5][6]. Geopolitical Factors - Ongoing geopolitical tensions, including stalled peace talks between the U.S. and Russia regarding Ukraine and military actions in Gaza, are expected to increase demand for safe-haven assets like gold [6]. Price Forecasts - UBS Group has raised its gold price target to $3,600, citing macroeconomic risks and strong investment demand for gold ETFs and central banks [7]. Gold-Backed ETFs Overview - **SPDR Gold Trust (GLD)**: The largest gold ETF with $102.72 billion in assets under management (AUM), has gained nearly 597% since inception [9][10]. - **iShares Gold Trust (IAU)**: Smaller than GLD with $48.41 billion in AUM, has outperformed GLD with a gain of over 648% since inception [13][14]. - **SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM)**: Newer ETF with $16.3 billion in AUM, has gained nearly 168% since launch, offering the lowest expense ratio at 0.01% [15][16].

Core Viewpoint - Gold is experiencing a resurgence in momentum due to fears of a U.S. economic slowdown, weak labor data, and expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, leading to a rise of over 3% in gold prices over four days [1][5]. Economic Data - The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, significantly below the expected 104,000, with prior months' job gains revised down by 258,000, raising recession fears [3]. - The services sector index fell to 50.1 in July from 50.8 in June, indicating a near standstill in business activity due to weak demand and rising costs [4]. Federal Reserve Rate Cuts - The weak economic data has increased the likelihood of the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates in September, with a 92% probability indicated by market tools [5]. - Lower interest rates enhance the attractiveness of gold as a non-yielding asset compared to fixed-income investments [5]. Tariffs and Safe-Haven Buying - The Trump administration's recent tariff hikes, ranging from 15% to 40% on various countries, have spurred safe-haven buying of gold [6]. - The inflationary pressures from these tariffs are expected to bolster gold's status as a hedge against rising prices [7]. Currency and Central Bank Activity - A weaker U.S. dollar and increased central bank purchases are contributing to the rise in gold prices, with 95% of central banks expecting to increase their gold reserves in the next year [8]. Gold Price Forecasts - Citigroup has raised its 3-month gold price forecast to $3,500 per ounce from $3,300, citing economic deterioration, rising inflation, and changing tariffs [9]. ETFs Performance - Gold ETFs such as SPDR Gold Trust ETF (GLD), iShares Gold Trust (IAU), and others are expected to perform well due to rising gold prices [2][10]. - SPDR Gold Trust ETF has an AUM of $103 billion and trades about 9 million shares daily, while iShares Gold Trust has an AUM of $33 billion with 6 million shares traded daily [11][12]. - Other notable ETFs include SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (AUM: $16.2 billion), abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (AUM: $5 billion), and iShares Gold Trust Micro (AUM: $3.3 billion) [13][14][15]. Conclusion - Given the prevailing economic uncertainty and potential Fed rate cuts, interest in gold ETFs is likely to remain strong in the upcoming months [16].