Insights

The longstanding inverse relationship between gold and real interest rates seems to have broken down, suggesting new forces—central bank buying, geopolitical uncertainty, and portfolio diversification—have a larger role in driving demand for bullion.

The U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady in its policy update this week, following the path of other central banks

All eyes have been focused on the Middle East over the past two weeks, as the region has seen a sharp escalation in tensions following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the responding military assault on Hamas in Gaza.

Investors have been tasked with interpreting a flurry of global economic data over the past two weeks, including signals of resilient but moderating growth in North America, broadening economic weakness in Europe, and a stalled recovery in China.