Author: isabelnet

Gold Speculative Positions Speculative positioning in gold has declined sharply in recent weeks, driven by profit-taking, risk repricing, and rotation into other asset classes. Image: J.P. Morgan

Nominal 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield and Indexed Return of Cyclicals vs. Defensives Higher growth expectations raise bond yields because investors demand greater compensation for potential inflation and uncertainty about future interest rates. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

S&P 500 Price Target for 2025 Citing diminished tariff effects and a resilient U.S. economy, Deutsche Bank has increased its year-end S&P 500 forecast to 6,550, up from 6,150. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation

Gold Price Seasonality June has been a challenging month for gold investors over the past five decades, delivering the lowest hit rate and the second-worst overall performance. Image: Topdown Charts

Performance – % of S&P 500 Stocks Outperforming the Benchmark by Year Market leadership has broadened in 2025. Whereas a handful of large tech companies dominated in 2023 and 2024, more than half of S&P 500 stocks are now outperforming the index. Image: Ned Davis Research

S&P 500 Index The market’s ongoing volatility is a direct response to the unpredictable cycle of tariff announcements, pauses, and retaliations, with sentiment swinging between hope for de-escalation and fear of economic damage. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation

Margin Debt and MoM Change The recent three-month, $90 billion decline in margin debt is not characteristic of what is typically observed at market tops, where margin debt tends to rise or peak amid speculative excess. Image: Fundstrat Global Advisors, LLC

S&P 500 After 5% Gain In May Historically, when May delivers a gain of over 5%, June tends to see continued strength, and the following 12 months have always produced positive returns, averaging close to 20% since 1985. Image: Carson Investment Research

S&P 500 Yearly Performance During Bull Markets Historically, the first two years of a bull market tend to deliver robust returns. While the third year may test investors’ patience, historical trends suggest that better times often follow. Image: Carson Investment Research Click the Image to Enlarge  

Median Annual S&P 500 Total Return Based on Nominal 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield There is no consistently clear or stable relationship between bond yields and equity returns. Their correlation is dynamic and shaped by various economic factors, including inflation, interest rates, and credit risk. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Global Debt Hits a Fresh Record While the global debt-to-GDP ratio has slightly declined, the absolute debt burden remains a major risk, requiring careful fiscal management and international cooperation to avoid financial instability. Image: International Monetary Fund