Election-Year Politics Add Volatility to Already Strained Bond Markets
Published: Monday, 22 July 2024 02:16 | 
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Global bond markets are facing increasing pressure due to a combination of rising government debt loads and unpredictable election-year politics.
Recent events, such as Macron's surprise election call in France and Trump's strong performance in the US presidential debate, have triggered bond market tremors.
These incidents highlight the growing concern about governments' ability to manage their expanding debt, which is expected to reach a record $56 trillion this year.
Hedge Funds Go for Gold as Political and Economic Uncertainties Loom
Published: Monday, 22 July 2024 01:47 | |
| Hedge funds have significantly increased their bullish positions on gold, reaching a four-year high, as reported by Bloomberg. This surge in gold investments is driven by growing concerns over the upcoming U.S. presidential election and uncertainty surrounding the timing of interest rate cuts. The trend is further evidenced by gold prices hitting an all-time high of $2,483.73 per ounce on Wednesday, as investors seek safe-haven assets amid geopolitical risks and anticipate more aggressive monetary easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Oil Prices Decline with Biden's Withdrawal and Fed Rate Cut Prospects
Published: Monday, 22 July 2024 12:00 | |
| Oil prices fell on Monday following President Joe Biden's announcement that he will not seek re-election.
Brent crude and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures both saw declines, with market analysts suggesting that the potential for rate cuts could impact oil demand.
Despite Biden's exit not being a major factor for oil markets, the broader economic implications of high interest rates and potential recession risks continue to weigh on investor sentiment.
Understanding Recession Indicators: Is the US Economy at Risk?
Published: Monday, 22 July 2024 11:44 | |
| The possibility of a recession in the United States remains a concern, despite efforts by the Federal Reserve to stabilize the economy through increased interest rates.
While there are no immediate signs of serious recession risk, concerns persist about consumer spending's ability to sustain economic growth.
Despite expectations of a soft landing with slow GDP growth, factors such as stubborn inflation, high interest rates, increasing debt delinquencies, and rising unemployment rates (4.1% as of June 2024) make it difficult to predict the economy's ultimate trajectory.
Zambia Sets Ambitious Target: 1 Million Tons of Copper by 2027
Published: Monday, 22 July 2024 09:55 | |
| Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, aims to increase its annual copper production by over 40% to reach 1 million tons by 2027, according to the country's Finance Ministry.
This growth strategy is part of a larger plan to capitalize on the anticipated global copper supply shortage driven by increasing demand from the energy transition sector.
Despite facing recent challenges that led to a 14-year low in production in 2023, Zambia plans to resolve issues at major mines, develop new projects, and expand existing facilities to achieve this goal. The country's long-term vision includes quadrupling copper output to 3 million tons by 2031.