This week's "Markets Weekly" focuses on the recent surge in gold prices and the strengthening Japanese yen, analyzing their potential impact on US equity markets. The speaker notes the S&P 500's recent all-time highs before a Friday dip attributed to weaker US data, options expiration, and a stronger yen.
**Gold's Unprecedented Rise:**
The video highlights gold's relentless ascent, seemingly surpassing the speaker's previously bullish $3,000 target for 2025. While traditional factors like a weakening dollar, as evidenced by a declining dollar index, usually correlate with higher gold prices, geopolitical risk seems less explanatory. While President Trump's overtures towards diplomatic solutions in Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela might suggest reduced geopolitical tensions, uncertainties regarding the US's commitment to European security under a Trump administration could contribute to gold's appeal as a safe haven.
The speaker introduces two new narratives to explain gold's rally. First, the anticipation of potential tariffs, particularly on gold imports, is driving up demand. Investors are buying gold futures and standing for delivery to physically move gold into the United States before potential tariffs are imposed. The COMEX gold vault is experiencing a surge in deposits, indicating this trend. The physical gold appears to be originating from London, where holdings in the Bank of England's gold vault are decreasing, suggesting a disallocation as gold shifts from overseas to the US. Gold lease rates are also spiking, further pointing to a shortage in the physical market. While this "tariff anticipation" story seems plausible, the speaker cautions that it may not be sustainable indefinitely, as the spread between spot and futures gold markets is beginning to narrow.
The second, more speculative story revolves around a potential revaluation of US gold reserves. Currently, US gold holdings are valued at approximately $40 per ounce on the books, significantly lower than the market price of around $2,900. This discrepancy has fueled speculation that the Trump administration might revalue its gold reserves, significantly increasing the US's net worth. Comments from Trump officials about utilizing the entire balance sheet of the United States, coupled with Elon Musk's calls to audit Fort Knox (where a large portion of US gold is stored), have further stoked this theory. However, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin has dismissed this idea, stating that revaluing gold is not under consideration. He clarified that utilizing the "asset side" of the balance sheet refers to leveraging the United States' abundant natural resources, such as oil and gas, to reduce debt and lower energy prices. While acknowledging the intriguing nature of these narratives, the speaker reiterates that gold prices rarely move in a straight line.
**The Strengthening Japanese Yen:**
The second major topic is the strengthening Japanese yen, driven primarily by expectations of monetary policy changes in Japan. Unlike most developed economies where inflation is declining, Japan's inflation rate is around 4%, exceeding the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) 2% target. This has led the market to price in further interest rate hikes by the BOJ. Japan's interest rates remain very low; however, as the market anticipates additional increases and as the US Federal Reserve either maintains rates or lowers them, the interest rate differential between the two countries will shrink, strengthening the yen. The rise in the 10-year Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yield, albeit still low at around 1.4%, further supports this view.
The speaker emphasizes the potential impact of a strengthening yen on US assets, as many positions in US assets are financed in yen. This includes not only large global funds but also Japanese investors, both retail and institutional. Attracted by higher US yields and the outperformance of the US stock market, particularly in the tech sector, Japanese investors have poured money into US assets. However, if the US stock market stagnates or declines and the yen continues to appreciate, these investors could face losses on the currency side, potentially triggering a deleveraging cycle. As Japanese investors close their positions and repatriate their funds, it could lead to further stock price declines in the US and a self-reinforcing cycle of yen appreciation. The speaker advises that the Japanese yen is a crucial indicator to watch closely. A continued appreciation of the yen warrants increased caution regarding the US stock market.