usdaed

Now, let’s talk about a stock that, unlike many of its competitors, has stood the test of time. A company that has been around long enough to know the ropes, cut through the clutter, and emerge not just unscathed but thriving. Yes, you’ve guessed it: Alphabet (GOOG) (GOOGL). The wise investor’s darling and the darling of wisdom itself, if I may say so. Alphabet isn’t just riding the AI wave; it’s the one who built the surfboard and is now cruising through the waves, occasionally pausing to give the surfers a knowing wink.

Peak Tesla? A convenient metaphor, is it not? When the storm clouds gather, it is, alas, the investors who find themselves drenched. Tesla, that once-shining beacon of electric promise, has encountered its share of dissonance this year. A confluence of factors-Elon Musk’s political ventures, shrinking sales and profits, the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit, and the withering of zero-emission credit sales-has left the market less enamored with the brand. The litany of obstacles grows, ranging from mounting lawsuits to the ever-increasing competition posed by China’s advanced and affordable vehicles. Indeed, one might wonder if there has ever been a greater collection of forces conspiring against the darling of the electric vehicle world.

And what drives this relentless ascent, you ask? Ah, the usual suspects. One need not look far. The world trembles under the weight of geopolitical unrest, inflation as stubborn as a mule, and the shambolic dance of tariffs that sends tremors through our global marketplace. Naturally, when the ground is shifting beneath your feet, where else does one run but to the age-old refuge of gold?

But let us not ignore the true spectacle unfolding before us: the global central bank’s gold-hording frenzy. I tell you, the chase is on! These institutions, seeking to diversify away from the dollar-dominated landscape, have embarked on a gold rush of epic proportions. For the past three years, central banks have been purchasing no less than 1,000 tons of gold annually. Their coffers have swollen, yet the appetite for more seems insatiable. A recent survey by the World Gold Council revealed that nearly half of all central banks-43% to be precise-intend to increase their reserves further. Oh, the gall! The sheer brazenness! They are hoarding this precious metal like peasants who have discovered their first taste of honey in a century.

In fact, in June of this year, the mighty gold overtook the euro as the second-largest asset in these central bank vaults. The euro, previously the darling of reserve currencies, now sits in a distant third, trailing behind the U.S. dollar and its 46%. But gold! Ah, yes, gold now accounts for a proud 20% of global reserves. Such a sight to behold-one cannot help but imagine the gold itself sitting upon its throne, peering down upon the other assets with an air of superiority.

A Record-Breaking Jewel

The price of gold, it seems, has touched the very heavens. And yet, we find that its ascent may not be finished, for new forces are soon to be set in motion. The Federal Reserve, that bureaucratic behemoth, is rumored to be preparing to lower interest rates once again. And when the Fed lowers rates, the dollar weakens, and gold-blessed, hallowed gold-becomes cheaper for those with the right currencies to purchase. Demand rises, prices climb, and we find ourselves once again watching gold climb ever higher, like a child on a ladder to the stars.

Futures traders, those inscrutable seers of markets, have placed a 92% chance on a modest quarter-point cut at the Fed’s next meeting. The remaining 8%? A half-point cut, just to spice things up a bit, no doubt. The market is bubbling with anticipation. For when the dollar weakens, gold gleams brighter, as if winking at the world, inviting all who would seek shelter to join its golden refuge.

A Glorious ETF

Now, you may ask: “How might one, a humble investor, partake in this feast of golden wealth without succumbing to the folly of betting on a single mining stock?” Fear not, my friend, for I present to you the answer: the MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING), a magnificent vehicle for those seeking to bask in the glow of gold without risking too much at once. This ETF, a veritable treasure chest, holds within its grasp 42 gold-related stocks, diversifying the risks as one might diversify a wardrobe: no one item too gaudy, but all gleaming in their own right.

With assets nearing $2 billion, the fund has performed remarkably well, having doubled in price this year alone, rising a majestic 105%. Its expense ratio, while not excessive, is a mere 0.39%, a paltry sum for such a gem of diversification. The ETF’s top holdings, such as Newmont (NEM) and Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM), contribute a generous portion of the fund’s riches, but no single stock commands more than 15%, ensuring a delightful spread of golden opportunities.

And let us not forget the broader picture: gold, at this very moment, hovers at around $3,675 an ounce. Some might argue that the true value of this yellow metal could climb to dizzying heights. Investment giants such as Goldman Sachs, who look down upon the rest of us from their ivory towers, predict that gold could ascend to $5,000 an ounce should global tensions, and the perceived undermining of the Federal Reserve’s independence, grow further. Such a forecast is not mere fantasy-it is a plausible outcome, and one that the prudent investor must consider.

In conclusion, as we stand at the edge of this golden era, there remains but one question to ask: Do you wish to watch from the sidelines, or shall you climb aboard this gilded train, bound for the peaks of wealth? 🚂

Now, gaming accounts for less than 10% of its revenue. The pivot? A slow burn, like a cigarette in a rainstorm. Nvidia became the world’s largest company, not by luck, but by knowing when to shift gears.

But here we are, armed with nothing but curiosity and a few well-chosen stocks. If you seek companies that might weather the storm, consider these three: MercadoLibre, Dutch Bros, and Apple. Each is a puzzle piece in the grand, often baffling machine of investing.

Time, as it tends to do, has shifted the stage to Texas. Yet Oracle’s essence-the pulse of innovation-now beats with an almost imperious immediacy.

But let’s not mistake one parlor trick for a full circus. Alphabet and Apple are already in the ring, polishing their monocles. A recent court ruling, which might have sent Google into a bureaucratic pirouette, instead handed them both a golden handkerchief. The judge, a man of unexpected wit, declared that AI’s rise was a threat to Google’s monopoly-never mind that it’s also its best sales pitch. “Monopolies,” he might have muttered, “are for yesterday’s tycoons. Tomorrow belongs to chatbots and Chrome.”