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Now, it’s no secret — President Donald Trump has always had a beef with clean energy. He’s dissed solar and wind investments up and down the block. But since April, the U.S. markets have been painting a picture that not even his biggest detractors anticipated.

The buzz started when the market hit rock bottom on April 4. Clean energy became the dark horse, racking up more gains than any other industry till September 25. The Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (NYSE: PBW) sprinted forward, with a whopping 118% surge. It left tech, AI stocks, and even gold miners — the 2025 champs — in the dust. Surprise, surprise, it even outperformed Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA), which caught an 85% lift-off since April’s dive.

And while the clean energy stocks were having their moment, Trump kept on with his jabs. “States relying on windmills and solar energy face record-high electricity costs,” he declared on Truth Social. “The scam of the century!”

But despite the tough talk, investors are flocking to renewables. Companies in the renewable and battery storage sectors have not just risen; they’ve skyrocketed since early April:

• Amprius Technologies (NYSE: AMPX): Up 359%, thanks to their silicon-anode batteries.
• Bloom Energy Corp. (NYSE: BE): A 302% rise with their fuel cell tech.
• MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP): Jumped 251%, powering EVs and wind turbines.
• QuantumScape Corp. (NYSE: QS): Solid-state battery innovators, up 231%.
• Eos Energy Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ: EOSE): Made a 177% leap, crafting grid-scale batteries.
• Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE: LAC): Advanced 164%, crucial to the U.S. supply chain.

Over at the Bank of America, analyst Dimple Gosai gave Bloom Energy a nod. Recently, their fuel cells quickly stepped in for Oracle Corp. after some grid hiccups. “A great backup in a usually slow-moving market,” she noted. But a price check — trading at 100 times the projected 2025 enterprise value-to-EBITDA — showed it’s running higher than GE Vernova and even Nvidia.

Bank of America’s Francisco Blanch sees a bigger story here. Soaring electricity demand, shifting trade, and China’s dominance in renewable manufacturing paint a promising scene for the next five years. “To win in energy, pack some renewables and fuel storage,” Blanch shared.

This clean energy boom rides the same waves that sent AI stocks soaring: investor enthusiasm, underlying demand, and the whirlwinds of geopolitical uncertainty. Yet, with valuations sky-high, can these gains stand firm? The irony here cuts deep — Trump’s least-favorite sector is topping Wall Street’s charts.

Amidst these trends, diversifying your portfolio sounds like a savvy move. Jeff Bezos-backed Arrived Homes lets you invest in real estate with just $100. Dive into real estate, earn rental income, and skip the landlord duties. Then there’s Worthy Bonds, perfect for folks hunting for steady returns without Wall Street’s drama. Starting at $10, investors snag a fixed 7% annual return.

And for those who like to keep control, IRA Financial offers self-directed retirement options. Here, you can dance around real estate, private equity, or even dip into crypto.

A resilient portfolio isn’t just about following trends. It’s about spreading your bets, capturing steady returns, and building that long-term wealth. Because after all, cycles change, and you want to be ready for whatever twist comes next.

This article “Trump Never Expected This—His Most-Hated Stocks Are Crushing Nvidia, Gold Miners” originally appeared on Benzinga.com.

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Nassim Taleb Has Some Thoughts (And He’s Not Keeping Them to Himself)

If you’ve spent any time in the world of finance or risk management, you’ve likely felt the long shadow of Nassim Nicholas Taleb. The scholar, former trader, and author of The Black Swan is the kind of thinker who doesn’t just enter a conversation; he commandeers it. Love him or find him utterly exasperating, you cannot ignore him.

A recent appearance saw Taleb doing what he does best: dismantling conventional wisdom with the glee of a kid kicking over a carefully built sandcastle. He went deep on everything from the illusion of risk models to the timeless allure of gold, the hidden dangers of private markets, and the economic fireworks of Trump’s tariff proposals. It was a masterclass in contrarian thinking.

So, let’s break down what he said, because when Taleb talks, it’s usually a good idea to listen—even if it’s just to figure out what you’re going to argue with him about later.

The Illusion of Control: Why Your Risk Model is a Fairy Tale

Taleb’s entire career is a protracted, and very eloquent, attack on the idea that we can predict the future with spreadsheets. He famously introduced the concept of the “Black Swan”—an event that is wildly improbable, carries massive impact, and is only predictable in hindsight. Think the rise of the internet, 9/11, or the 2008 financial crisis.

His core argument is that the world is governed by randomness and extreme uncertainty, not by the gentle, predictable curves of a Gaussian distribution that most financial models rely on. Using these models, he argues, is like using a map of Kansas to navigate the Himalayas. It’s not just wrong; it’s dangerously misleading.

The biggest risk isn’t the one you can model; it’s the one you’ve never even considered. He saves his most biting scorn for the “experts” and “bankers” who pile up hidden, tail risks in the system, collecting bonuses during quiet times and then demanding bailouts when their flawed models inevitably blow up. For Taleb, true robustness doesn’t come from predicting the exact storm, but from building a ship that can survive any storm.

All That Glitters: Taleb’s Take on the Barbarous Relic

When the topic turns to gold, things get interesting. Gold bugs often sound like a broken record, touting the metal as the only true money. Taleb’s endorsement is far more nuanced and, frankly, more compelling.

He doesn’t see gold as a speculative asset you trade to get rich. He views it as the ultimate form of “financial insurance.” In a world where he believes central banks are perpetually tempted to debase their currencies through money printing, gold acts as a hedge against the stupidity of others. It’s the one asset that isn’t simultaneously someone else’s liability.

His logic is pure Taleb: You don’t hold a significant portion of your wealth in gold because you’re predicting hyperinflation. You hold it because you can’t rule it out. It’s about admitting the limits of your knowledge and protecting yourself from a catastrophic outcome that, while unlikely, would be utterly devastating if it occurred. It’s antifragility in practice—gaining from volatility and disorder.

The Quiet Dangers of the Private Party

If Taleb is skeptical of public markets, he is outright suspicious of the runaway train that is private markets. Venture capital, private equity, and the explosion of unicorns have created a universe of assets that live in the shadows, away from the daily price discovery and scrutiny of the public exchanges.

And that, for Taleb, is a recipe for disaster. The lack of transparency in private markets is a giant hiding place for risk. Without the constant, often brutal, feedback mechanism of a public market price, errors in valuation and risk assessment can compound silently for years. Companies can be propped up by endless rounds of funding, creating the illusion of health and growth until suddenly… it all stops.

He would likely argue that the true health of the tech sector, for instance, is unknowable because so much of it is insulated from reality. When the music stops, the exit doors might be a lot smaller than everyone expects. It’s a classic Black Swan breeding ground: a complex, interconnected system where everyone assumes liquidity will always be there, until one day it isn’t.

Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Taleb’s Twist on Trump

Now, let’s get to the political fireworks: tariffs. Former President Trump’s proposal for a universal 10% tariff on all imports is the kind of policy that makes most orthodox economists recoil in horror. They see it as a tax on consumers, a disruption to efficient global supply chains, and an invitation for retaliatory measures.

Taleb, being Taleb, doesn’t see it through that conventional lens. His support is less about economics and more about systems thinking and redundancy. His argument, roughly paraphrased, goes something like this: Hyper-efficient, hyper-globalized supply chains are incredibly fragile. They are optimized for cost in a world that is predictably calm.

But the world isn’t predictably calm. A pandemic, a war, a political spat—any shock can snap these delicate chains and bring entire industries to a halt. A tariff, in this view, is a clumsy but potentially useful tool to reintroduce redundancy. By making it slightly more expensive to source everything from a single country (say, China), you incentivize the rebuilding of domestic or regional capacity.

You’re essentially paying an insurance premium—the slightly higher cost of goods—to build a more resilient system that can withstand a shock. It’s not about mercantilism or nationalism for its own sake; it’s about antifragility. Of course, whether the political reality of tariffs would ever align with this theoretical benefit is a whole other question—one Taleb might dismiss as outside his purview.

The Bottom Line: Embracing Uncertainty

What ties all these seemingly disparate topics together is a single, powerful idea: a profound respect for what we don’t know.

Taleb isn’t offering a surefire investment strategy or a political manifesto. He’s offering a framework for navigating a world that is fundamentally unpredictable. The goal isn’t to be right; it’s to avoid being catastrophically wrong. It’s about building portfolios, companies, and even societies that can benefit from shocks and volatility rather than be broken by them.

He urges us to be skeptical of anyone who claims to have it all figured out, especially if their model fits neatly on a PowerPoint slide. He champions robustness over optimization, and common sense over complex mathematics.

So, the next time you hear a confident prediction about the market or a politician promising a smooth economic future, you might just hear Taleb’s voice in the back of your head, reminding you of the one thing you can truly count on: the unexpected. And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.

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Gold coins and bars, my friends, might be the way to go these days. Even if you’re just dipping your toes into investing, you might want to give this shiny option a thought.

Thinking about gold? Here’s what you gotta know.

Now, let’s talk inflation. It’s not as nasty as it was, but the sting’s still there. If you didn’t have your ducks in a row, well, you might’ve learned a thing or two the hard way. Gold’s been a trusty hedge through all that, and guess what? It still is. Those bars and coins you see every time you flick through the channels? It’s not just hype.

Before you rush to fill the ol’ family vault with glittering gold bars, you gotta know your stuff. Gold’s a different beast compared to other assets. A little smarts can save you some serious cash.

Explore your top gold investing options here.

new ways to invest in gold

Gone are the days of dialing some number on a late-night ad. Buying gold bars and coins is easier than snagging a slice of New York pizza. Your neighborhood jeweler, the pawn shop down the block, or even your laptop — they all got you covered.

Walmart and Costco are in the gold game now, believe it or not. You can toss gold bars into your cart along with your groceries. So, do your homework and check out all avenues. Compare prices and choices before sealing the deal.

Start reviewing your gold bars and coins options now.

don’t cough up today’s high price

Sure, gold prices are higher than a Manhattan penthouse, recently cracking $3,400. But fret not. You don’t need to splurge your entire savings. Fractional gold is a neat trick — same benefits, less cost.

Start small, maybe less than an ounce, and slowly build your fortune. But remember, the upward trend means fractional costs will rise, too. If gold protection is your goal, don’t dilly-dally.

expect the prices to jump again

Gold may seem “cheap” at $3,302.23 per ounce. It’s like a subway ticket — it only gets more expensive. Sure, prices fluctuate, but the long-term trend is up. Waiting for that dream gold bar deal? You might end up locked out.

Any big move in inflation, interest rates, or global tensions could send prices skyrocketing again. So, don’t let endless research hold you back. Jump in before you find it’s too late.

the bottom line

Diving into gold bars and coins isn’t just for the Wall Street suits. Beginners with time on their side might find it a sweet spot. Gold’s everywhere now and might cost you less than expected. The factors pushing prices up are still around, indicating that a price hike could be lurking just around the corner.

Remember: Keep those bars a modest slice of your portfolio pie — experts say 10% or less. It’ll help secure long-term success and peace of mind. So, if you’re going for gold, make it a well-thought-out part of your game plan.

Matt Richardson knows his stuff when it comes to finance. At CBSNews.com, he’s the guy you want on your side for anything money-related — savings, investing, insurance, you name it.

The post Considering Gold Bars and Coins? Three Beginner Tips You Need to Know appeared first on Kingston Global Tokyo Japan.

Uber Faces the FTC Heat

14 minutes ago

Uber Disrupted
Uber’s stock took a hit on Monday—down a cool 3%—with the FTC bringing the heat. The lawsuit allegedly targets the ride-hailing behemoth’s sleazy billing and cancellation moves related to Uber One. The $9.99 monthly subscription supposedly plays hard-to-get when users try to quit.

The lawsuit claims Uber pulls a fast one with tiny gray text that customers overlook, enrolling them without consent. Promised savings? They’re ghosting users, allegedly. The ride-share colossus isn’t backing down, with a spokesperson promising that the courts will see it their way. This action, though, puts a spotlight on the pitfalls of snagging a deal that promises a 6% back on rides—legal wrangling sounds like such a bother.

AND yet, even with this bump in the road, Uber’s stock is still up a whopping 20% this year. Guess we’ll see how things shake out on May 7, when first-quarter earnings join the scene.

Gold Rides High

1 hr 39 min ago

Chaos Loves Gold
Gold’s got the glow. Monday saw prices skyrocket as worries about the U.S.-China tango and Trump’s Federal Reserve shade continue to cast an uncertain econ vibe. Gold futures ascended to north of $3,440, a figure that adds a hearty 30% rise for the year.

Traders are jittery, and not just from coffee. Trump’s tariff tiffs have sent stock-slingers rushing into golden arms. Gold’s been the toast of the asset world, lapping up inflows only matched by Bitcoin’s ups and downs. With the safe-haven variance index peaking, the gold fever isn’t cooling anytime soon.

Tariff Talkers
China popping off about retaliatory dances makes investors more skittish than a cat in a dog park. The threat of Trump ousting Fed Chair Powell isn’t helping things either.

Amazon Feels The Tariff Crunch

2 hr 13 min ago

Analysts Play Hardball
Wall Street juggernaut Amazon got dinged on Monday. Raymond James analysts dropped Amazon from “strong buy” like a hot potato, tagging it “outperform” instead. Their price target? Slashed by almost 30%, taking a swing from $248 to $195.

Shadow Boxing
It’s all thanks to tariffs and those tricky investments in trying to make rural deliveries happen. Analysts suggest the media monolith should’ve read the room a bit better. Stocks have tumbled 4% to around $166 without breaking a sweat, surpassing the Nasdaq Composite’s decline this year.

Dollar And Its Doldrums

2 hr 41 min ago

Slumpy Dollar Days
The dollar took a nosedive. President Trump’s unyielding spat with Fed Chair Powell, whose ‘termination’ can’t come fast enough according to Trump, has set tongues wagging and metrics sagging. Investors are skirting dollar-based assets and diving into gold’s allure instead. The benchmark dollar index, DXY, dipped to levels not seen in over three years.

Intel’s New Chapter

3 hr 32 min ago

Eyes on Intel
Lip-Bu Tan, Intel’s new head honcho, is sweating under the spotlight this Thursday. It’s his debut earnings report, and analysts have their pens poised. With promises of deals in the air, a recent 51% stake sale in Altera, and murmurings of a TSMC tie-up, Tan’s got his hands full.

But for Intel investors, patience isn’t just a virtue—it’s the whole playbook. The stock, despite being less than $19 last week, has traders and analysts holding their breath.

Tesla’s Bumpy Ride

4 hr 39 min ago

Elon Musk Drama
Tesla partisans are sweat-soaked. Dan Ives warns Tesla’s got a big headache coming—Musk’s government gig is clogging the gears. He needs to ditch the bureaucratic monkey suit and throw himself back into Tesla’s driver’s seat.

Long-time bullish Ives is watching from the wings as Musk juggles too many ball caps, but his ‘code red situation’ alert is lighting up the status board.

Capital One and Discover’s Big Play

5 hr 15 min ago

Credit Card Shuffle
Shares of Capital One and Discover are getting a love boost. The merger train is leaving the station, thanks to federal regulators giving their thumb’s up. This planned multibillion-dollar union aims to dominate the credit card scene, perhaps reshaping the financial marketplace.

The Federal Reserve and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are onboard. The Justice Department said, ‘no interference from us.’ The relief is palpable.

Nvidia and Trade Woes

6 hr 20 min ago

Chipmaker Challenges
Nvidia takes a hit as the game of tariff chess plays on between U.S. and China. CEO Jensen Huang speaks candidly; Trump’s tariffs are squeezing Nvidia. Those H20 chips need a license for any trip to China, which could mean a costly loss. The shares have taken a substantial tumble.

UnitedHealth’s Slog

6 hr 41 min ago

Profit Loss Pressures
UnitedHealth saw a slump with the worst decline in decades. Medical costs are pushing profits to the edge as the government-assisted Medicare plan demands more coverage. A market dive south of the 200-week average has let institutional investors show them the door.

Netflix: Before and After

7 hr 13 min ago

Streaming Success
Netflix’s stock is on the ups, courtesy of stout earnings. Analysts swapped in boost-city with stellar predictions. Watching their success in tougher climates has tongues wagging. They’ve made being ‘widely accessible’ work.

Market Vibes

7 hr 53 min ago

Staring into the Red
Major index futures signal Monday’s open as a downer. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures drop deeper into the red sea. Markets stay on the edge of their seats, trying to reclaim some semblance of direction.

The post Markets Decline Amid Trump’s Fed Criticism and Ongoing Tariff Worries; Gold Reaches New Peak, Dollar Falls to Lowest in 3 Years appeared first on Kingston Global Tokyo Japan.

There’s a certain allure to the glittering streets of Gotham in springtime—the symphony of car horns, the sidewalk chatter, the clatter of yellow cabs. But for those with a keen eye on the markets, this spring brought a different kind of metal rush. Gold, the ever-reliable darling of the savvy investor, just shattered ceilings, sashaying past the $3,300 per ounce mark. A figure that’s enough to make any savvy investor pause and whisper, “Is it time to buy, or should we wait for the glitter to dull?”

Gold’s Dazzling Ascent

Here we are, my friends, in a year where gold’s picked up significant steam. Picture this: March saw the precious metal shimmy past $3,000 per ounce—unprecedented in the annals of economic history. Since then, the climb’s been relentless, with prices now dancing above $3,300.

Influencers Backing the Trend

The stock market’s like New York weather—unpredictable. Inflation’s been our constant companion these past few years. It ripples through wallets and stretches those dollar bills thinner than a slice of prosciutto. Yet, we’ve seen cooler heads prevail, with Federal Reserve rate hikes taking a breather and inflation dropping. Even so, gold keeps hiking uphill, no summit in sight.

Economists attribute part of this golden climb to ongoing inflationary pressures. Despite cooling, inflation hovers above the Fed’s dream target of 2%, enticing investors to gold—a classic hedge against rising living costs.

And let’s not sideline the global jitters. Economic uncertainty, not unlike a sudden downpour on a sunny Manhattan day, looms. Geopolitical tension and potential slowdowns have investors seeking safe havens. In tumultuous times, gold’s shine acts like a beacon, pulling cash away from frothier assets like equities into its steadier embrace.

Portfolio Picollo: Diversification Matters

Now, before you grab your phone to call your financial peeps, there’s that ever-important buzzword: diversification. The stock market’s been wilder than a cab ride down 5th Avenue. Normalizing recently, sure, but protections against its whims come from a well-armed, diversified portfolio. One where riskier assets play nice with the safe-haven stalwarts.

Ask yourself this: Is your portfolio ready for the potential bumps of a bumpy ride? If gold isn’t listed in your current ensemble, it’s worth a second look. Gold, with its low correlation to rollercoaster equities, often ascends in value when stocks take a dive.

Remember, “Gold, being a commodity,” as Steven Connors from Connors Wealth Management might remind you, “isn’t as tied to the stock market’s bungee jumps. It dances to its own rhythm.”

Inflation’s Dance Card

Though inflation’s recently slowed its roll, it’s still tugging at purse strings across the city. The latest figures show it sidling at a 2.4% rate—still above the Fed’s aims. How do you cushion against its insidious creep? Enter gold, a reliable old friend.

It’s no secret that when goods start burning a hole in our pockets, those paper bills lose their luster. Gold, conversely, holds its own. It’s like the Grand Central of value—consistent, tried, and true. Investors see it as a preserves-safe house against an eroding dollar.

What makes this golden ticket even more enticing is its independence from any one economy’s whims or central bank’s policy. When inflation’s rancor eats into savings or bonds, gold typically stands its ground, often gaining value as demand for these inflation-resisting safe havens surges.

The Investment Street Gospel

If you’ve been wondering whether to jump on the golden bandwagon, there’s never been a moment of greater intrigue—or need. True, today’s price may seem steep, but consider the horizon. Gold continues its upward trek, promising not just wealth preservation but potential gains amidst financial uncertainty.

So, let’s see where these shimmering streets take us. Look into gold investments today and make sure to read up on your gold investing options. Wise moves now could translate to golden dividends down the line.

Footnote

For those navigating the financial maze, J.R. Duren writes for CBS MoneyWatch’s Managing Your Money sector.

The post Gold Surpasses $3,300: Is Investing in Gold Still Wise? appeared first on Kingston Global Tokyo Japan.

Why the VanEck Merk Gold ETF (OUNZ) is Winning Over New Yorkers

Gold ETFs: An Insider’s Perspective

While other exchange-traded gold products faced outflows for months, OUNZ – the VanEck Merk Gold ETF – bucked the trend, gathering more gold. Crafted in 2014 as a response to the market’s massive ETFs, OUNZ recently surpassed US$1 billion in holdings. Here’s a closer look at why OUNZ stands out in the crowded field.

Physical Gold’s Charm (And Risk)

The beauty of physical gold is its lack of counter-party risk. However, risk enters when you physically hold it. For instance, a gold coin can be lost or stolen. Small gold holdings might find a home under your pillow, but what about significant amounts? I cooked up OUNZ to solve this: it offers cost-effective gold holding with the option of requesting delivery at any time. Yes, I put my money where my mouth is; I own several thousand ounces through OUNZ.

Performance and Trend

Look at the growth in shares outstanding of U.S. exchange-traded gold products over $500 million from the past year. OUNZ, colored in blue, is topping the chart. During this period, physical gold buying grabbed headlines (yes, even Costco jumped in the game), yet exchange-traded products had a lukewarm reception, many experiencing outflows.

Key Differentiator: Delivery Option

This brings us to the pivotal difference between OUNZ and other ETFs: the ability to request gold delivery. This positions OUNZ within the realm of physical gold for many investors. Most OUNZ investors don’t actually take delivery, but they love having the option. This feature attracts long-term investors rather than short-term speculators. Some interesting highlights include:

• Real Deliveries: Year-to-date, 383 ounces of gold have been delivered through OUNZ.
• Scalable Process: We’ve patented a unique interface to convert large London bars into coins and smaller bars.
• Non-Taxable Delivery: Taking delivery of gold isn’t a taxable event as you already own it.
• Affordable Premiums: Delivery carries only the coin’s premium over spot gold, often cheaper than through a coin dealer.

Smart Pricing

A significant tweak last year eliminated a quirky industry practice: competitors value gold based on London’s afternoon prices. Instead, OUNZ uses the New York Stock Exchange’s closing price, working with Solactive to create the Solactive Gold Spot Index. This has kept OUNZ’s Net Asset Value premium or discount near zero over the past 12 months.

Simplifying Cost Structures

At Merk, we focus on ounces more than dollars. Management fees for OUNZ are paid in shares of OUNZ – meaning we get paid in gold, and no gold needs to be sold for expenses. OUNZ’s ordinary expenses are similarly managed, avoiding the sale of any gold.

No Gold, No Shares

Another misconception needs clearing up: what if demand for OUNZ spikes, but there’s no available gold at the vault? OUNZ shares are only issued once the custodian confirms gold delivery and allocation. If no gold is available, we won’t issue new shares. Unlike competitors, our primary objective isn’t tracking gold prices but allowing investors to invest in gold and take physical delivery if desired.

Final Thoughts

Physical gold offers a unique blend of security and stability. OUNZ enhances this by providing a flexible and cost-effective investment option that includes the potential for gold delivery. In the ever-changing market, OUNZ’s innovative approach ensures it remains a standout choice for gold investors.

For more info, feel free to check out Merk Gold.

Related Resources

1. Current shares outstanding of U.S. exchange-traded gold products
2. Gold Pricing Details
3. Cost Effective Gold Delivery

Managing Editor: Your New York Gold Enthusiast

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