Portfolio Allocations

Goldman Sachs raised its year-end 2025 gold price forecast to $3,100 per ounce, up from $2,890, highlighting the impact of sustained central bank demand on the precious metals market. The numbers tell an interesting story - while traditional investments struggled in 2022, precious metals showed remarkable resilience. Gold gained 0.4%, silver advanced 6.3%, and platinum delivered an impressive 12.2% return.

The S&P 500's dramatic 33.9% plunge during one month of COVID-19 shows just how quickly global events can upend markets. I've watched markets react to countless global events over the years. Take 2024's presidential election - it pushed stocks to record highs despite widespread uncertainty. Meanwhile, rising geopolitical tensions sent gold soaring 27% as investors sought safety. These contrasting moves highlight an important truth: world events affect different investments in unexpected ways. Let's explore how global events really influence your portfolio. We'll look at market reaction patterns, study past cases that matter today, and find practical ways to protect and grow your investments when major events hit. Understanding these relationships helps you make better decisions in uncertain times.

Understanding how ETFs work and how they are taxed is crucial for maximizing investment returns. ETFs have revolutionized investing by offering unparalleled tax efficiency through their unique structure and trading mechanics. In 2024, investors poured $1.1 trillion into ETFs, pushing total assets beyond $10 trillion, with 75% of young investors now incorporating ETFs into their portfolios.