Time, Diversification and the Volatility of Returns

Time, Diversification and the Volatility of Returns This chart shows how the volatility of returns decreases over time (range of equity, bond and blended total return). Picture Source: J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Central Bank Gold Purchases

Central Bank Gold Purchases Central bank gold buying eased to 863 tonnes in 2025 from 1,092 tonnes in 2024. Buying has cooled, but official-sector demand remains well above historical standards and continues to play a strategic role in reserve diversification. Image: Real Investment Advice

Global Equities Performance

Global Equities Performance Since spring 2025, U.S. stocks have underperformed relative to other major markets, breaking a long streak of outperformance. A weaker dollar has added momentum to global diversification, especially among overseas investors. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Forecast of Gold Prices

Forecast of Gold Prices If macro hedge accumulation picks up again and diversification away from Western assets accelerates, gold could climb to $5,700–$6,100. The recent pullback looks more like profit-taking than a shift in fundamentals. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Decomposition of YTD Return in USD

Decomposition of YTD Return in USD Global diversification paid off in 2025 as most major non‑U.S. markets outperformed U.S. equities. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Equity Market and Share of the Biggest Sector in the U.S.

Equity Market and Share of the Biggest Sector in the U.S. History keeps repeating on Wall Street — when diversification fades, sector dominance rises. But it never lasts. Sooner or later, shifts in the economy, technology, or geopolitics bring the rotation full circle. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

U.S. ETF Flows

U.S. ETF Flows Cash is flooding into U.S. ETFs—over $1 trillion so far in 2025—a record-breaking surge running more than three times the usual seasonal pace as investors chase diversification and tactical flexibility. Image: Bloomberg

Top 10 Mega Cap Stocks as % of S&P 500

Top 10 Mega Cap Stocks as % of S&P 500 The growing dominance of the top 10 companies in the S&P 500 has raised concerns about whether the index still provides sufficient diversification, given the concentration risks and sector imbalances. Image: Real Investment Advice

Equities – MSCI U.S./RoW Distance from 200-DMA

Equities – MSCI U.S./RoW Distance from 200-DMA The MSCI U.S./RoW distance from the 200-DMA highlights a major interruption to the narrative of U.S. exceptionalism and reinforces the need for global diversification in equity portfolios. Image: Bloomberg