Powell cutting rates? But why would he?📉 Powell cutting rates? 100% priced in. Even talk of 1–2% slashes. But why would he?
Let’s look at what the media ignores:
🇮🇳 Reports suggest India plans to cut its US Treasury holdings by up to 50% by 2025. That could mean roughly $450B hitting the market. Who’s going to buy that debt? The Fed? They’re already running negative equity — something that would be called insolvency for any private company.
Lowering rates would allow the US government (and its billionaire buddies) to borrow even more cheap money — not to fix the economy, but to speculate, pump Bitcoin, and trash the dollar further. Inflation? Even worse.
The US economy shows all the symptoms of a recession: layoffs rising, real wages falling, manufacturing shrinking. Official GDP numbers still look positive, but let’s not forget those “revisions” that always come later. Translation: the data is constantly massaged.
So what’s the real goal? Probably to juice the housing market. But let’s be honest: US mortgage rates today are just average by historical standards. Russia’s rates are higher, yet their currency and balance sheet look healthier because they don’t live off endless money printing.
The core problem is clear: reckless dollar printing to protect billionaire portfolios. And Powell? If he truly had conviction, he wouldn’t touch the rate at all.
Inflation
Markets look for rate clues from RBNZ's Hawkesby, US PPI contracThe New Zealand dollar has renewed its upward move after a pause on Tuesday. In the North American session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.5957, up 0.52% on the day. Earlier, NZD/USD rose as high as 0.5964, a two-month high.
The markets will be keeping a close eye on Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Christian Hawkesby, who will discuss the RBNZ's August Monetary Statement at an event in Auckland on Thursday.
At the August meeting, the Reserve Bank cut rates by a quarter-point to 3.0%, its lowest level since August 2022. The central bank hinted at further rate cuts due to expectations of lower growth both domestically and globally. The monetary rate statement said that if inflation pressures continued to ease, "there is scope" to continue lowering the cash rate.
The Bank's dovish tone surprised the markets and sent the New Zealand dollar tumbling 1.2% on the day of the meeting. As well, two of the six committee members voted for a 50 basis-point cut, reinforcing market expectations that the Reserve Bank will cut at least one more time this year. Investors will be looking for clues from Hawkesby on Thursday.
US wholesale prices for August declined for the first time in four months. Both headline and core PPI fell 0.1%, down from 0.7% and shy of the market estimate of 0.3%. Annualized, headline PPI eased to 2.6% from 3.1%, below the market estimate of 3.3%. Core PPI slipped to 2.8% from 3.4%, below the market estimate of 3.5%.
Will we see a similar miss from consumer inflation on Thursday? The markets expect headline CPI to rise to 2.9% from 2.7% and core CPI to remain steady at 3.1%. If consumer inflation surprises to the downside, the US dollar could lose ground as rate cut expectations would likely increase.
NZDUSD has pushed above resistance at 0.5936 and is testing 0.5950. Above, there is resistance at 0.5973
0.5913 and 0.5899 are providing support
Gold : Neutral Between 3,640–3,657, Breakout to DecideGold – Overview
Gold hit a fresh record high at $3,659 on Tuesday, supported by weak U.S. jobs data and growing bets on Fed rate cuts. Traders now await key U.S. inflation releases – PPI on Wednesday and CPI on Thursday – which could drive the next major move.
📊 If inflation comes in hotter than expected, gold risks a sharp correction.
📊 If inflation is weaker, expectations for a 50 bps Fed rate cut could lift gold further.
Technical Outlook:
🔻 While below 3,657, price may correct toward 3,640. A 15M close below 3,640 would extend the decline to 3,629.
🔺 Stability above 3,657 on a 15M close would support further upside toward 3,665 → 3,683.
Key Levels:
Pivot: 3,657
Support: 3,640 – 3,629 – 3,612
Resistance: 3,665 – 3,683
previous idea:
Unveiling the 40-Year Bond Yield Super-Cycle: Prepare for a potential Boom if we see a significant pullback in rates, followed by an Epic Bust thereafter!
Overview:
The U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield exhibits an 80-year cyclical pattern, aligning with Elliott Wave Theory at Super-Cycle and Cycle Degrees. The historical peak of 15.82% (Wave V) in the early 1980s marked the end of a Super-Cycle uptrend, followed by a corrective Wave C low of 0.33% around 2020.
The current upward movement in Cycle Wave I suggests the beginning of a new 40-year inflationary half-cycle, with a projected peak around 2060, interspersed with shorter Cycle Degree waves (Wave I, Wave II, Wave III, Wave IV, and Wave V) that include resistance zones at 5.28% (horizontal resistance) and the upward Fibonacci retracement levels at 6.24%, 8.07%, and 9.03%.
Implications for the Future:
Inflation: Apart from a stimulative-induced pullback in rates marking a deep Cycle Degree Wave II decline near 2%—which could spike risk assets to fresh all-time highs before an epic bust—expect bouts of persistent rising inflation over the next 35 years as the Super Cycle inflationary momentum strengthens toward its peak in 2060.
Stock Prices: Downside volatility may increase with higher yields, and blow-off top rallies may occur with ample stimulation from the Fed, further impacting already absurd equity valuations.
Gold Price: If rates drop sharply and the dollar strengthens over the near to medium term, Gold may suffer a significant pullback. Apart from that, Gold is likely to appreciate significantly as a safe-haven asset, particularly if yields break out above horizontal resistance north of 5%, reflecting persistent inflationary pressures.
U.S Economy: The real economy and Wall Street's financialized economy have diverged by orders of magnitude over the last 45 years. The wealth gap between the haves and have-nots is nearing a breaking point. Once risk assets peak for this Super Cycle, the ensuing bust will take no prisoners, but may narrow the wealth gap to more tolerable levels. If things get severely disruptive as they tend to do in Super Cycles, don't be surprised if a new monetary regime is adopted between now and 2060.
US PPI Data Preview (Aug 2025) – Impact on USD, Gold, and Fed RaThe US Producer Price Index (PPI) for August 2025 will be released on September 10th. PPI measures the prices producers receive for goods and services, making it one of the earliest indicators of inflation trends.
July 2025 Recap
PPI MoM: +0.9% (biggest jump in 5 months, mainly services)
PPI YoY: +3.3% (highest since early 2025)
Core PPI (ex-food & energy): +0.9%
Core-Core PPI: +0.6% (largest since 2022)
The surge was driven by service costs and tariffs on goods.
What to Expect in August
Headline PPI MoM: Likely 0.2% – 0.4% (a slowdown after July’s spike)
Core PPI MoM: Around 0.3% – 0.5% (services stabilizing)
PPI YoY: Could ease to 2.8% – 3.2%
Tariffs, energy prices, and service costs remain the key risks.
Why This Matters for Markets
If PPI comes in hotter than expected, inflation fears rise → less chance of a Fed rate cut → USD stronger, Gold weaker, stocks cautious.
If PPI is softer, markets may price in a September Fed cut → USD weaker, Gold and risk assets supported.
Core-Core PPI (ex-food, energy, trade services) is critical to see the real inflation trend.
Market Watch
Dollar Index (DXY): Could gain on strong PPI, slip on weak PPI.
EUR/USD: Around 1.16 – sensitive to inflation data & Fed bets.
Gold (XAU/USD): Likely to benefit from weaker data and safe-haven flows.
S&P 500 / Stocks: Bullish if inflation cools, cautious if hot.
Conclusion:
August PPI is expected to cool slightly after July’s jump. If inflation pressure eases, the Fed may stick to rate cut plans, which could lift Gold and risk assets. But if service and tariff costs stay high, expect the Dollar and yields to rise.
👉 What do you think? Will the PPI surprise higher and boost the Dollar, or cool down and give Gold a push?
#PPI #USD #Gold #Forex #Fed #Inflation #Trading #tradewithdecrypters
$USIRYY - U.S Inflation Rises to Seven-Month High (August/2025)ECONOMICS:USIRYY
August/2025
source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- The US annual inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in August,
its highest level since January, as retailers gradually passed higher import tariffs on to consumers.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4%, the most since January, above both July’s 0.2% increase and forecasts of 0.3%.
Core inflation held steady, rising 3.1% year-on-year and 0.3% month-on-month, matching July’s pace.
US CPI Number? Lets see What Crude Is Telling us... Today is the US CPI one of the most important events before the Fed’s next move
I’ve often used the relationship between US CPI and Crude oil, and it has been a reliable guide many times before.
Key points
👉Crude was down -8.5% in August → we may see a suprise with lower CPI
👉 Official expectations are for higher CPI: from 2.7% to 2.9% y/y → risk of a miss
👉Even if CPI hits 2.9%, dollar may not rally far → because its expected number
👉Dollar bottomed in Sep 2024 after Fed made 1st cut in while→ weak USD risk remains till FED cuts, then reversal
$CNIRYY - China CPI (August/2025)ECONOMICS:CNIRYY
August/2025
source: National Bureau of Statistics of China
- China’s consumer prices dropped 0.4% yoy in August 2025, after being flat in the previous month and missing market expectations of a 0.2% fall.
It was the fifth time of consumer deflation this year and the sharpest pace since February.
Food prices slumped (-4.3% vs -1.6% in July), logging the steepest fall in nearly four years, with broad-based decreases across categories and a sharper drop in pork prices, due to ample supply, lower production costs, and weak demand.
In contrast, non-food inflation quickened (0.5% vs 0.3%), supported by Beijing’s ongoing consumer goods subsidies, with increases in housing (0.1% vs 0.1%), clothing (1.8% vs 1.7%), healthcare (0.9% vs 0.5%), and education (1.0% vs 0.9%).
Meanwhile, transport costs shrank but at a slower pace (-2.4% vs -3.1%). Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.9% yoy, the highest in 18 months, after a 0.8% gain in July.
On a monthly basis, CPI was flat, below forecasts of 0.1%, following a 0.4% increase in July.
Australian confidence data slips, Aussie rally continuesThe Australian dollar continues to propel higher. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6618, up 0.40% on the day. The Aussie has shot up 1.5% since Thursday and is trading at six-week highs.
Australia's consumer and business confidence have taken a hit, pointing to pessimism over the economic outlook. The Westpac Consumer Sentiment Index fell 3.1% m/m in September, after a strong 5.7% gain in August. Westpac said that the index is back in "cautiously pessimistic" territory.
Consumers remain uneasy over high interest rates, as the Reserve Bank has been slow to lower rates. The Westpac survey found that consumers are more concerned about unemployment and less likely to purchase a major household item.
The NAB Business Confidence Index also headed lower, falling in August to 4 points, down from 8 in July. This marked a three-month low. Still, business conditions showed improvement and forward orders moved higher.
The Reserve Bank of Australia is coming off a quarter-point rate cut and meets next on September 30. The money markets don't expect a cut in September, as GDP rose in Q2 to 1.8% from 1.4% and core inflation jumped to 2.7% in July, up from 2.1%. A stronger economy and higher inflation will make it more difficult for the RBA to lower rates.
We could see a rate cut in November and further easing early in the new year. Much will depend on the direction of inflation, the strength of the labor market, and the health of the Chinese economy.
In the US, the Federal Reserve is poised to deliver a rate hike next week for the first time since December 2024. The weak nonfarm payrolls report has raised the likelihood of a half-point cut to 12%, with a quarter-point cut priced in at 88%, according to CME's FedWatch.
Does this RSI signature say US inflation is about to return?Simple chart.
As you can see, US Inflation has often formed a bullish convergence pattern on it's derived RSI that has been a good predictor of several inflation bottoms.
We have one right now as you can see.
The problem is, that usually, inflation prints this signature when inflation is significantly below targets.
This time, inflation is printing ABOVE targets.
This means if inflation bounces here we can expect another burst of significantly above-target inflation.
Which, logically, means we should not expect rate cuts any time soon.
Either that, or we end up with a weak FED that won't do a U-turn on their rate cut plans, and they cut rates INTO an inflation bounce.
Which is obviously going to be a disaster.
Watch this chart carefully over the next few months going into Q4.
Swiss CPI declines, will SNB revert to negative rates?The Swiss franc has edged lower on Thursday. In the North American session, USD/CHF is trading at 0.8052, down 0.13% on the day.
Swiss inflation declined in August for the first time since January. CPI slipped 0.1%, following the July reading of zero and the market estimate of zero. Yearly, CPI rose 0.2%, unchanged from July and in line with the market estimate.
The soft inflation report could support the case for the Swiss National Bank to return to negative interest rates. The SNB had a negative rate policy in effect for eight consecutive years until 2022, when high inflation forced the bank to sharply tighten policy. The markets widely expect the SNB to hold rates at this month's meeting, but if inflation continues to sag, there will be pressure on the central bank to lower rates.
SNB President Martin Schlegel has stressed in the past that the central bank could revert back to negative rates if necessary but would try to avoid doing so since it causes difficulties for businesses and consumers.
The SNB is also keeping a close eye on the value of the Swiss franc. The Swiss currency has soared against the US dollar, gaining 11.3% since the start of the year. In June, USD/CHF fell below the psychologically significant 0.80 level for the first time 2011. The central bank does not want the franc to continue appreciating, since it means that Swiss exports are more expensive and thus less competitive.
US tariffs have dealt a blow to the export-reliant Swiss economy. Switzerland has had to absorb US tariffs of 39% on most goods, which has put the country at a serious disadvantage against the neighboring European Union, which faces tariffs of only 15% on most goods.
The USUSD/CHF is testing resistance at 0.8045. Next, there is resistance at 0.8054 and 0.8064.
0.8035 and 0.8026 are providing support
Gold’s $200 Surge Defies the DollarOver the past week, gold prices exploded by more than $200 per ounce, shattering the $3,500/oz threshold to new all-time highs . Silver joined the surge, breaching $40/oz for the first time since 2011 . This explosive precious metals rally is striking not only for its magnitude, but because it occurred in tandem with a strengthening U.S. dollar – a sharp break from the usual inverse correlation between gold and the greenback. Typically, “gold’s appeal reflects an inverse relationship with the dollar’s value”, as one analyst noted , and gold soars when the dollar slumps. Yet this time, the U.S. Dollar Index held firm (even rising against some currencies), so gold’s ascent “alongside the value of the US dollar” appears anomalous .
This disconnect has confounded the simplistic media narrative that tried to pin gold’s move on U.S. political drama – namely turmoil surrounding Donald Trump pressuring the Federal Reserve. Indeed, mainstream headlines have leaned on that explanation: “Gold surges after Trump’s Fed pressure,” blared the Financial Times, after President Trump’s attempted (and unprecedented) firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook raised alarms about Fed independence . Bloomberg News similarly attributed gold’s spike to “rate-cut bets” spurred by Trump’s actions . There is some truth here – investors clearly sought safety amid U.S. political uncertainty, with the largest gold ETF (SPDR Gold Shares, ticker GLD) hauling in over $2.3 billion of inflows last week to top all ETFs, “as gold prices flirted with record highs near $3,500” following Trump’s attempt to oust a Fed official . Concerns over Fed independence and Washington turmoil did fuel safe-haven demand . But a closer investigation of market data and cross-asset flows reveals a more complex story than “Trump made gold jump.” In particular, the simultaneous rise of gold and the dollar hints at other forces at play – potentially global capital rotations and eurozone undercurrents – that the simplistic narrative overlooks.
Order Flow: U.S. Buying vs. Asian Selling
One immediate clue lies in where the strongest gold buying originated. Market internals and order flow patterns suggest that North American investors led this rally, while Asian and European participants were net sellers or laggards. Gold’s intraday price action repeatedly showed dips during Asia and London trading hours, followed by robust gains during U.S. market hours – indicating steady accumulation out of New York overcoming profit-taking elsewhere. This aligns with recent flow trends: “Gold ETF buying has flipped from Asia to Western investment markets”, notes BullionVault, as China and India saw outflows while U.S. and European gold funds began expanding together . In the past fortnight, Asian-listed gold ETFs shrank by over 5 tonnes – the heaviest 2-week outflow since the Ukraine invasion – even as Western funds saw their strongest stretch of inflows in over two years .
Physical gold selling in Asia corroborated this trend. As prices hit fresh highs above $3,000 and $3,500, Asian jewelry holders rushed to “cash in”. In India’s bazaars and Middle Eastern souks, retailers report a surge of people selling old jewelry and coins to lock in gains . “Customers raced to cash in their old gold,” Reuters noted, with scrap sales booming across India and the Middle East . This flood of recycled gold effectively made Asia a net supplier to the market during the rally, potentially “tempering gold’s rally” in those regions if it continues . In contrast, U.S. investors were voracious buyers: not only did American ETFs see big inflows, but U.S. futures markets showed relentless bids during New York trading sessions, driving price strength into each day’s close.
In sum, Western demand carried gold higher even as Eastern markets took profits. This East-to-West flow reversal suggests the price surge was not simply a global panic “bid” for gold, but rather a targeted rotation of capital – with U.S. and European buyers eagerly absorbing the supply coming out of Asia. Such a dynamic is important because it hints that new money (likely institutional and speculative) in the West was a key driver, rather than traditional physical demand from Asia (which actually softened amid the high prices).
Gold in USD vs. Gold in EUR: A Currency Disconnect
Another intriguing aspect of this rally is how differently it played out in U.S. dollars versus other currencies – particularly the euro. Gold’s price in USD hit record highs, but gold priced in euros (XAU/EUR) did not. In fact, at gold’s peak this week the euro-priced ounce “held beneath spring highs” even as the USD-priced ounce broke out . Gold in British pounds and Japanese yen did notch new records alongside USD gold , but the euro-denominated price lagged.
This discrepancy between XAU/USD and XAU/EUR is telling. Had the rally been driven purely by U.S.-centric fears (Trump/Fed turmoil) causing a weak dollar, we would expect the opposite – gold might jump in USD but soar even more in euros as the dollar falls. Instead, the dollar strengthened against the euro, and gold’s rise in USD terms outpaced its rise in EUR terms. One interpretation is that some of the buying came from investors shifting capital out of euro assets and into dollar-based gold, effectively boosting both gold and the dollar simultaneously. In other words, capital flight from euro-based holdings could be an underlying factor. If European investors (or global investors with euro exposure) moved funds into U.S. dollars or dollar-priced gold, that would drive the dollar higher at the same time as gold – precisely what we saw.
It’s notable that earlier in the year, gold in euros had spiked to record levels (during a bout of euro weakness and regional banking worries), whereas U.S. gold lagged at that time. Now the roles reversed: “the dollar price topped its previous high, but the euro price of gold stayed below its spring peak” . This reversal suggests the latest rally was U.S.-led, not euro-led. Rather than a panic specifically within Europe, this feels like a more subtle rotation away from the euro toward “safe” currencies and assets. The euro’s exchange rate was relatively firm during this gold spike (indeed, gold’s jump was despite a firm dollar, not because of a weak one), implying the move wasn’t about a collapsing euro – it was about proactive reallocation. In essence, global investors may be quietly diversifying out of euros into gold (and dollars) as insurance against potential eurozone troubles down the line.
Speculators Pile In: CFTC Data Shows Growing Longs
Fueling gold’s ascent has been a wave of speculative positioning in the futures market. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commitments of Traders (COT) report reveals that hedge funds and money managers have been steadily adding to bullish gold bets. In fact, bullish bets are at their highest levels in years. As one market analysis noted, “the net long position of Managed Money traders rising… back to 4-year high… reaching 155% of long-term average” . This means speculators hold vastly more long contracts than usual, a clear sign of momentum-chasing and confidence in further upside.
Recent data confirms the build-up: speculators’ net-long gold positions jumped to around 237,000 contracts in mid-August (versus ~178,000 in early 2024) and remain elevated . For context, that mid-August figure was the largest net long in at least four years. Even trend-following funds that had been absent are now “firing on all cylinders,” adding to length as gold broke out. Importantly, while these speculative inflows are large, some analysts point out they are “relatively modest… given the move in gold prices – suggesting there is further upside to come” if more investors pile in . In other words, positioning is bullish but not yet at extreme record levels in proportion to gold’s price move, leaving room for additional buyers.
This surge in paper gold interest highlights that the rally has a strong “hot money” component. It’s not just passive safe-haven holding; fast-moving traders are actively driving the market higher. The rising COT longs also underscore why gold’s jump defied the dollar: in a typical risk-off scenario, one might see short covering or flight from other assets incidentally lift gold, but here we have an affirmative speculative buildup anticipating higher gold ahead.
Massive ETF Inflows: GLD and Silver ETFs See Big Demand
Alongside futures activity, investment flows into gold and silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been massive, indicating broad-based demand from institutions and retail investors alike. The flagship gold ETF, GLD, saw particularly eye-popping inflows. In the week of the surge, GLD attracted roughly $2.3 billion of new money, making it “the No.1 asset gatherer among U.S.-listed ETFs” . To put that in perspective, GLD outdrew even the largest stock index funds for the week – a remarkable rotation of capital into precious metals.
These inflows pushed GLD’s total assets to new heights, as investors sought the convenience of paper gold exposure during the rally. Other precious metals funds saw similar interest: iShares’ silver trust (SLV) reportedly logged sizable inflows as silver prices jumped in unison with gold. Silver’s rally – over 10% in a week to above $40/oz – was the strongest in years, and analysts noted that “momentum traders obviously also became involved” once silver broke technical levels . The U.S. government’s proposal last week to classify silver as a critical mineral (which could spur domestic stockpiling) “helped to fuel the surge through $40” , giving fundamental justification to silver’s move and further enticing ETF investors.
Taken together, the ETF data paints a picture of widespread investment allocation into precious metals. Gold-backed ETFs globally had already been seeing positive inflows in recent months – the World Gold Council reported that the first half of 2025 saw the largest H1 gold ETF inflows since 2020 – and this past week accelerated that trend. The demand was not confined to the U.S. either; European-listed gold funds also saw creations (with particularly strong buying in the UK, Switzerland, and Germany in recent months) . But the U.S. flows were dominant. North American funds accounted for the bulk of new gold ETF buying this quarter , reflecting that U.S. investors are driving this shift to hard assets.
Such massive ETF inflows, alongside record futures longs, indicate a broad conviction trade into gold and silver. Whether as an inflation hedge, a geopolitical hedge, or a play on future Fed easing, capital is pouring into these assets via easily accessible vehicles. GLD’s $2+ billion weekly haul underscores that this was not a niche move – it was front and center in capital markets.
Not a Typical “Risk-Off” – Stocks, Crypto and Bonds Stayed Resilient
Crucially, unlike many past gold spikes, this one did not coincide with a major selloff in other asset classes. In classic market panics, gold’s rise is often mirrored by tumbling equities, collapsing bond yields (as investors buy Treasuries), or even a rush out of speculative assets like cryptocurrencies. That didn’t really happen here – indicating this gold rally was driven by rotation of capital from cash or low-yield reserves, rather than forced liquidations elsewhere.
Consider the stock market: global equities barely blinked. The MSCI World Stock Index had just hit an all-time high in late August; it fell only about 1.5% from that peak during gold’s run-up . A 1.5% dip is trivial – essentially normal daily volatility – and U.S. indices similarly remained near record levels. There was no sense of an equity crash or widespread fear in stocks; in fact, some risk assets like small-cap stocks rose on hopes of Fed rate cuts. Crypto markets were also relatively stable. Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies held in their recent trading ranges with no signs of a flight-to-safety out of crypto. Unlike early 2020 (when Bitcoin plunged during a dash for cash), this time crypto was “largely unfazed”. If anything, crypto investors likely interpreted Fed dovishness as positive, which could have buoyed coins – but there was no mass exodus from crypto into gold.
Bonds told a more nuanced story. U.S. Treasuries did not rally alongside gold – in fact, long-term bond prices fell last week, sending yields higher . Typically, if there were a major fear-driven episode, one would expect Treasury yields to plunge (as bond prices rise on safe-haven buying). Instead, the 10-year and 30-year yields ticked up. Notably, gold and bonds moved in opposite directions: “the split between government debt and gold prices has been underway, with gold rising… while the value of longer-term Treasury bonds has halved over five years” . Part of last week’s bond weakness was due to fresh concerns about fiscal deficits and inflation – which ironically can boost gold. A fund manager at Newton noted that the bond market isn’t yet signaling long-term inflation, but “there is falling confidence that can continue indefinitely”, characterizing the situation as a “fiscal crisis, rather than an economic crisis” driving gold’s rise . In short, gold’s jump wasn’t the result of a panic-driven bond rally – if anything, it coincided with a bond selloff. That implies the money fueling gold had to come from elsewhere (cash, forex reserves, or rotation out of other holdings) rather than from investors dumping stocks and bonds in fear.
This cross-market resilience supports the idea that the gold/silver inflows were more of a strategic reallocation or hedge, not a reaction to an acute crash in other assets. As one analyst put it, “If you were a Martian observing this, gold and long-term bonds sending opposite signals is telling you there are concerns” below the surface – but it’s an unusual mix of signals. Investors didn’t run for the exits in equities or corporate bonds; instead, they appear to have drawn on sidelined cash or reallocated currency reserves to fund their gold purchases. This makes the episode more interesting: it hints at a rotation happening quietly, rather than an obvious crisis visible in all markets.
Beyond the Trades: Is Capital Fleeing the Eurozone?
These patterns – U.S.-led gold buying, euro underperformance, no broad risk asset selloff – point to a deeper macro narrative: a potential rotation of capital out of Europe’s financial system and into hard assets. Several data points and developments reinforce this interpretation:
Reserve Currency Shifts: In a striking milestone, gold has now surpassed the euro as the world’s second-largest reserve asset (behind only the U.S. dollar). An ECB report highlighted that for the first time ever, gold represents a larger share of global foreign exchange reserves (20%) than the euro (16%) . In other words, central banks collectively hold more value in gold than in euro-denominated assets. This reflects concerted gold accumulation (over 1,000 tonnes per year since 2022, more than double the prior decade’s average ) at the expense of fiat holdings. It’s effectively a rotation out of traditional currencies – notably the euro – and into bullion. Such a shift “is remarkable”, as one market veteran noted, and coincides with 95% of central banks stating they plan to increase gold reserves in the next year – the highest on record . This trend screams a subtle mistrust in the long-term stability of the euro and other fiat assets, and a desire for the safety of hard currency.
Eurozone Stress Signals: While the eurozone isn’t in open crisis, there are hints of structural stress that may be nudging smart money to preemptively seek safety. Political instability is one concern – for example, in France (the Eurozone’s second-largest economy), the government is teetering on the edge of collapse amid budget battles. Even ECB President Christine Lagarde cautioned that “any risk of a government falling in the euro zone a concern”, after French markets wobbled on snap election fears . Such political tremors feed into a narrative of euro-area fragility. Meanwhile, European banks and governments are grappling with high debt loads and thin margins. As interest rates rose this year, sovereign and corporate borrowing costs in Europe jumped, exposing vulnerabilities in heavily indebted nations. Observers have warned of “debt saturation” and precarious leverage in Europe’s financial system (some even pointing to bloated gold derivatives positions at European banks as a risk) . If investors – or other central banks – perceive even a small chance of a Eurozone financial accident (be it a debt crisis, a bank failure, or political rupture), they may quietly trim exposure now.
Geopolitical Fragmentation and Inflation Hedging: Beyond Europe-specific issues, the broader macro backdrop is one of fracturing globalization and lingering inflation – conditions under which hard assets historically thrive. Under President Trump, the U.S. has upended elements of the post-WWII order, from trade alliances to security commitments . Trade wars and tariffs are forcing reallocations of supply chains and reserves. According to Reuters, Trump’s aggressive policies and sanctions have “upended Western security policy” and contributed to an environment where diversifying away from reliance on any single currency (especially the U.S. dollar) becomes prudent . Many developing countries have responded by boosting gold holdings as a hedge against geopolitical risks and potential sanctions (a lesson learned after Russia’s USD reserves were frozen in 2022) . This “de-dollarization” impulse, interestingly, often doesn’t benefit the euro – it benefits gold. Nations looking to reduce dollar dependence aren’t rushing into euros; they’re buying bullion (and to some extent, yuan) . This adds to global gold demand independent of day-to-day traders.
At the same time, inflation remains a concern. Though off its peak, inflation in both the U.S. and Europe has been stubbornly above central bank targets, eroding trust in fiat purchasing power. Gold is the classic inflation hedge, and its appeal grows when investors worry that “there are concerns… the right tail of inflation risk” in the future . Notably, this gold rally occurred even as inflation expectations in bond markets remained relatively contained – suggesting some investors aren’t waiting for official signals; they are positioning early against the possibility of inflation or currency debasement down the road. The fact that inflation-linked bonds have not rallied (underperforming regular bonds) implies the bond market isn’t convinced inflation will run away . But gold’s surge could be seen as a belts-and-suspenders approach – insurance in case the bond market is wrong or central banks falter.
Hard Asset Accumulation by Private Wealth: It’s not just central banks. Wealthy individuals and institutions are also shifting into tangible assets. Anecdotally, vault operators report high demand for physical gold storage. Real assets from commodities to real estate are getting increased allocation in portfolios as a hedge against both inflation and geopolitical strife. Silver’s inclusion on a U.S. critical minerals list last week (to secure supply chains) is emblematic of the new era of resource nationalism and strategic stockpiling . Gold and silver stand to benefit as strategic assets in a fragmenting world. The rally in both metals might be an early sign of investors preferring the certainty of hard assets in hand over promises on paper.
All these factors converge to a clear insight: the gold and silver surge may be an early warning signal of capital seeking safety from systemic risks – particularly those emanating from currency systems and financial institutions. Unlike a sudden crisis that causes a panicked stampede, this feels more like a strategic redeployment of capital: a rotation before the full storm hits.
Conclusion: A Canary in the Coal Mine?
Gold’s extraordinary run this past week – soaring in concert with a firm dollar, absent a stock market crash – is not just a one-off curiosity. It appears to be a manifestation of deeper shifts in investor behavior and economic regime. The simple story of “Fed drama and political turmoil” belies the larger context: we are likely witnessing a rotation toward safety and solidity in anticipation of future turbulence. Whether that turbulence comes from Europe’s financial system, unsustainable government debts, or a fracturing global order, investors are hedging their bets.
Precious metals are, in effect, serving as a barometer of macro stress and a receptacle for capital seeking refuge. As the European Central Bank’s own analysis noted, “gold generally offers a safe haven in times of stress… in extreme cases, gold prices tend to rise alongside the US dollar, while stock and bond prices decline” . That’s essentially what we’ve just observed – minus the sharp stock decline (at least so far). It puts policymakers on notice: something is bubbling beneath the surface. The last time we saw gold and the dollar rising together was during episodes like the onset of COVID-19 and the 9/11 attacks – clear crises. This time, the “crisis” is more subtle: a slow burn of fiscal strains, geopolitical realignments, and creeping distrust in institutions.
For investors and professionals, the takeaways are clear. Diversification into hard assets is gaining momentum, and not without reason. Gold’s role as a portfolio stabilizer is reasserting itself; even at record nominal prices, it’s attracting huge inflows as a form of insurance. The traditional inverse relationship with the dollar is not sacrosanct – when confidence in both major fiat blocs (dollars and euros) is tested, gold can rise against all currencies at once. Silver’s concurrent jump and its industrial strategic importance highlight that this is a broader precious metals renaissance.
Finally, it’s worth pondering the source of the $200 gold move. The evidence suggests it came not from panic, but from prudence – a reallocation from the quiet corners of cash and currency reserves into the safety of bullion. If that is the case, this gold surge could very well be the early tremor before larger quakes. Investors are effectively voting with their wallets, and their message is a cautious one: prepare for potential storms by holding real assets. Gold’s unusual rally, defying the dollar gravity, might be the canary in the coal mine for broader shifts to come – from an era of easy money and faith in central banks to one where tangible value and trust (or the lack thereof) drive decisions. As always, gold is both a barometer and a beneficiary of such paradigm shifts.
Sources:
Reuters – “Gold hits a record $3,532…main drivers fueled by U.S. President Trump’s upending of policy and Fed independence concerns.”
ETF.com – “GLD led all ETFs last week, hauling in $2.3B as gold flirted with $3,500.”
Reuters – “Gold tops $3,500… FT: ‘Gold surges after Trump’s Fed pressure’… Bloomberg: ‘Record high as rate-cut bets fuel demand.’”
BullionVault – Order flow: “Asian gold ETFs shrank…while European and North American products have now expanded together in 7 of the past 8 weeks, the strongest stretch in 27 months.”
Reuters – Physical market: “As gold prices jump… customers race to cash in old jewellery… If the rush to sell continues, could temper gold’s rally.”
BullionVault – “Dollar gold hit new highs…but Euro and Yuan price of gold held beneath spring highs”
BullionVault – COT data: “Net long position of Managed Money traders 4-year high…155% of long-term average.”
Reuters – “Silver breached $40, highest since 2011… momentum traders involved after US proposal to label silver a critical mineral helped fuel the surge.”
BullionVault – “Western stock markets dropped only 1.5% from last week’s record… long-term gov’t debt fell, driving yields higher, even as gold rose.”
ECB Financial Stability Review (via Frank Holmes) – “Gold now represents 20% of global FX reserves vs 16% for the euro – first time gold’s share exceeds euro’s.”
Reuters – Christine Lagarde: “France is solid but any risk of a government falling in the euro zone is a concern.”
Reuters – “Annual central bank gold purchases have exceeded 1,000 tons since 2022, double the 2010s average”
World Gold Council – “Gold ETFs saw 397t inflows Jan-June 2025, the largest first-half inflow since 2020.”
ECB Research – “In extreme cases (9/11, pandemic onset), gold prices tend to rise alongside the US dollar while stock and bond prices decline markedly – confirming gold’s safe-haven role in times of stress.”
- Gold trades near record highs on US rate cut bets; silver at 14-year high | Reuters
- Gold Surpasses Euro as the Second-Largest Reserve Currency in the World
- What does the record price of gold tell us about risk perceptions in financial markets?
- Gold Tops $3500 Record Price | Gold News
- Gold ETF Inflows Lead $34.3B Surge Into U.S.-Listed ETFs
- Gold ETF Investing Flips from East to West | Gold News
- After the gold rush: Asian, Mid-East sellers flood jewellery market | Reuters
- Central bank demand propels safe-haven gold to record peak | Reuters
- Explainer: Gold's record-breaking rally: who's keeping it going? | Reuters
- Global flows stay hot | World Gold Council
- France's far-right RN says it is getting ready for potential snap elections | Reuters
- Eurozone Financial Crisis: Debt and Derivative Dangers
$USBCOIUS -Manufacturing PMI Misses Forecast (August/2025)ECONOMICS:USBCOI
August/2025
source: Institute for Supply Management
- The ISM US Manufacturing PMI increased to 48.7 in August from 48.0 in July,
though it fell short of market expectations of 49.0.
The index signaled a sixth straight month of contraction, as a sharp drop in production was only partly offset by a rebound in new orders.
Employment continued to fall, while input price inflation eased slightly.
$EUIRYY -E.U CPI (August/2025)ECONOMICS:EUIRYY 2.1%
August/2025
source: EUROSTAT
- Euro area consumer price inflation rose to 2.1% in August 2025,
slightly above both July’s pace and market expectations of 2.0%, preliminary data showed.
Unprocessed food prices climbed 5.5% from 5.4% in July,
while energy costs fell 1.9%, a smaller decline than the previous month’s 2.4% drop. Services inflation eased to 3.1% from 3.2%, and prices for processed food, alcohol, and tobacco rose at a slightly slower pace of 2.6% versus 2.7%.
Non-energy industrial goods inflation held steady at 0.8%. Core inflation—which excludes energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco—remained unchanged at 2.3%, marking its lowest level since January 2022.
Euro CPI ticks higher, US ISM Mfg. PMI misses estimate, euro lowThe US dollar has posted sharp gains against most of the majors on Tuesday. In the North American session,EUR/USD is trading at 1.1672, down 0.33% on the day. The euro fell as smuch as 0.84% today but has recovered most of those losses after soft US manufacturing data.
Eurozone inflation ticked higher in August to 2.1% y/y, up from 2.0% in July. This was just above the market estimate of 2.0%. Services inflation, which has been sticky, eased to 3.1% from 3.2%.
Core CPI, which excludes energy and food, was unchanged at 2.3% y/y for a fourth consecutive time, above the market estimate of 2.2%. The core rate remained at its lowest level since October 2021.
The calm in inflation means that the European Central Bank is likely to continue to maintain its key deposit rate at 2.0% at the September 11 meeting. Still, the ECB has its doves who favor further rate cuts in order to kick-start the weak eurozone economy. As well, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut rates this month, which will put pressure on the ECB to also lower rates. The central bank has inflation under control but is also concerned about inflation undershooting the 2% target.
The US ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 48.7 in August, up from 48.0 in July but below the market estimate of 49.0. Manufacturing has been in the doldrums, with six straight readings below 50, which indicates contraction. There was a rebound in new orders but production and employment showed declines.
The weak global economy and the impact of counter-tariffs on US goods continues to dampen manufacturing activity, with little indication that the situation will improve anytime soon.
EUR/USD has pushed below support at 1.1687 and is putting pressure on 1.1662. Next, there is support at 1.1638
There is resistance at 1.1711 and 1.1736
Bond yields are rocking to the upsideToday, bond yields are hitting the wires and causing a slight market sell-off. Fear is kicking in and investors are becoming even more cautious, as economic cracks start to appear.
Let's dig in.
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BTCUSD Outlook – Monthly Open AheadTomorrow we get a new monthly candle on BTCUSD. Last month price didn’t trade higher after the rally in April, May, July and August. It’s sitting in a breather position. The dollar has been dumping too after a massive rally, so both markets are in reset mode.
Last month’s low is still intact, not traded through or attacked, which keeps that level important. For now we take it day by day — watching dollar data and order flow on Bitcoin to spot which side shows weakness first.
Big flush last week took BTC from 117K to 110K on whale selling and forced liquidations. That shows leverage risk is still high. But at the same time more than $400M flowed into spot ETFs, showing real demand under the surface.
If flows stay strong and the dollar keeps soft, BTC can bounce back toward the highs fast. If we see more liquidations or a dollar squeeze, then 105K–110K stays the key support zone.
We stay in eagle mode — patient, one day at a time, waiting for clean signals.
German inflation and US core PCE rise, euro edges lowerThe euro is slightly lower on Friday. In the North American session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.1657, down 0.21% on the day.
Germany has released the preliminary inflation report for July, with a hotter-than expected reading. Annually, EU-harmonised CPI rose to 2.1%, up from 1.8% in June and above the market estimate of 2.0%. The figure was the highest level since March, driven by higher food prices. Monthly, inflation eased to 0.1%, below the June reading of 0.4% and just above the market estimate of 0%.
Headline inflation in Germany, the eurozone's biggest economy, is largely in check but the battle against inflation is not over. Services inflation remained at 3.1% and core CPI was unchanged at 2.7%.
Policymakers at the European Central Bank won't be losing sleep over the slight gain in inflation. The eurozone releases July inflation next week, with CPI expected to nudge higher to 2.1% from 2.0% and core CPI to 2.4% from 2.3%. The ECB meets next on September 11 and is expected to maintain its key deposit rate at 2.0%.
The US wrapped up the week with the Core PCE index, the Federal Reserve's preferred gauge for underlying inflation. In July, core PCE rose by 2.9%, up from 2.8% in June and in line with the consensus. It was the highest level in five months and a reminder that although inflation is largely under control, the fight is not over. Monthly, core PCE was unchanged at 0.3%.
Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who is a candidate to replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair next year, gave a hawkish speech on Thursday. Waller said he supported a rate cut in September and hinted at support for larger cuts if the labor market continued to soften.
$SPY / $SPX Scenarios — Friday, Aug 29, 2025🔮 AMEX:SPY / SP:SPX Scenarios — Friday, Aug 29, 2025 🔮
🌍 Market-Moving Headlines
🔥 Fed’s favorite inflation gauge hits: PCE arrives just as markets digest Powell’s Jackson Hole tone.
💵 Consumer under the microscope: Spending & income data reveal demand strength heading into fall.
🏭 Regional PMI wrap: Chicago PMI closes out August with a manufacturing pulse check.
📊 Key Data & Events (ET)
⏰ 8:30 AM — PCE Price Index (Jul)
⏰ 8:30 AM — Personal Income & Outlays (Jul)
⏰ 9:45 AM — Chicago PMI (Aug)
⏰ 10:00 AM — UMich Consumer Sentiment (Final, Aug)
⚠️ Disclaimer: Educational/informational only — not financial advice.
📌 #trading #stockmarket #SPY #SPX #PCE #inflation #Fed #bonds #economy #PMI #consumerconfidence
How and why Silver May Overshoot Well Beyond 50 by 2026A description of silver price anomalies. Info is in video-only thing to add is we are going onour 6th consecutive year of silver structural demand deficits. The odds of a massive upside move intensify exponentially day to day at this point.
Do your own research
Euro gains ground, US GDP revised higher, German CPI nextThe euro has posted gains on Thursday. In the North America session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.1670, up 0.27% on the day.
US GDP (second-estimate) surprised on the upside, with a gain of 3.3%. This was revised higher from 3.0% in the preliminary estimate and was an impressive turnaround from the 0.5% decline in the first quarter.
After the release of the first-estimate GDP, President Trump called on Federal Reserve Chair Powell to lower interest rates, and it wouldn't be surprising if Trump again uses the strong GDP report to attack Powell.US GDP (second-estimate) surprised on the upside, with a gain of 3.3%. This was revised higher from 3.0% in the preliminary estimate and was an impressive turnaround from the 0.5% decline in the first quarter.
After the release of the first-estimate GDP, President Trump called on Federal Reserve Chair Powell to lower interest rates, and it wouldn't be surprising if Trump again uses the strong GDP report to attack Powell.
The US labor market has been softening and the July nonfarm payrolls fell to just 73 thousand. Still, unemployment claims have been steady and today's release showed that claims dropped to 229 thousand, down from a revised 234 thousand last week and just below the market estimate of 230 thousand.
Germany releases CPI report on Friday, with a market estimate of 0% m/m for August. This would mark the second flat reading in three months, an indication that inflation is under control. Annually, CPI is expected to nudge up to 2.1% from 2.0%.
Eurozone inflation will be released next week. Headline CPI is currently at 2.0% and core CPI is at 2.3%, with little change expected in the August release.
The European Central Bank took a pause in July after seven straight rate cuts. The ECB meets on September 11 and with inflation largely contained and around the ECB's 2% target, the Bank is not feeling pressure to continue lowering rates.
How to Manage Recession and Inflation?Can a recession and inflation coexist? We saw that in the 30s great depression and 70s great inflation.
Today's jobs numbers is trending lower, indicating a possible recession, while (3) inflation numbers are ticking up.
When these 2 conditions occur simultaneously, it is known as stagflation.
The 70s great inflation and today’s situation is very similar; we will study them. And discuss how to manage stagflation.
Micro Silver Futures
Ticker: SIL
Minimum fluctuation:
0.005 per troy ounce = $5.00
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Australian CPI expected to jump, Aussie steadyThe Australian dollar is in negative territory on Wednesday. In the European session, AUD/IUSD is trading at 0.6468, down 0.40% on the day.
Australia's CPI for July surprised on the upside, jumping to 2.8% y/y. This followed a 1.9% gain in June and was above the market estimate of 2.3%. The spike in inflation, the highest level since July 2024, was driven by a sharp increase in electricity prices due to the end of government electricity rebates for many households. The trimmed mean, a key gauge of core CPI, rose to 2.7% in July from 2.1% in June.
The surprise jump in inflation has dampened expectations for a September rate cut. The money markets have reduced the probability of a rate cut to 22%, down from 30% before the inflation release.
Despite the hot inflation report, the Reserve Bank is expected to continue its easing cycle, with a 61% probability of a cut in November. The central bank remains very concerned about inflation but is also focused on employment, with the labor market showing signs of weakening.
The minutes of the RBA's August meeting said that upcoming rate decisions would depend on the data. The RBA meets next on September 19 and there are three key releases in September prior to the meeting - inflation, GDP and employment. The RBA has surprised the markets before and if these upcoming releases show a drop in economic activity or inflation, the RBA could respond with a rate cut next month.
The nasty feud between the Federal Reserve and Donald Trump has taken another twist, as the President said he had removed Fed Governor Lisa Cook due over charges that she made false statements on mortgage applications. The Fed says that Trump does not have authority to fire Cook. This latest spat further undermines the credibility of the US and could hurt the US dollar.