When markets tumble, historically investors reach for safe-haven assets that they think will protect them through whatever happens next. Today, precious metals like gold and silver are joined by digital stores of value, specifically Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) , to fulfill that role. But which of these three assets is really going to weather a crash if one happens later in 2026? Image source: Getty Imag...
When markets tumble, historically investors reach for safe-haven assets that they think will protect them through whatever happens next. Today, precious metals like gold and silver are joined by digital stores of value, specifically Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) , to fulfill that role. But which of these three assets is really going to weather a crash if one happens later in 2026? Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
None of Japan’s prefectural governors are willing to accept soil collected in decontamination work near the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex without further safety information and support from the central government, according to a Kyodo News survey. A search for final disposal sites for 14 million cubic metres (500 million cubic feet) of removed soil and other waste in Fukushim...
None of Japan’s prefectural governors are willing to accept soil collected in decontamination work near the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex without further safety information and support from the central government, according to a Kyodo News survey. A search for final disposal sites for 14 million cubic metres (500 million cubic feet) of removed soil and other waste in Fukushima after the March 2011 nuclear disaster is a key part of the government’s reconstruction efforts in...
Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images The Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fd ETF ( VGIT ) is around 5 years in average maturity based on the underlying portfolio. There's been a pretty meaningful downward shift in the US yield curve as of the launch of the war with Iran by the US and its allies, which means bonds in general, including intermediate-duration US fixed income ETFs like VGI...
Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images The Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fd ETF ( VGIT ) is around 5 years in average maturity based on the underlying portfolio. There's been a pretty meaningful downward shift in the US yield curve as of the launch of the war with Iran by the US and its allies, which means bonds in general, including intermediate-duration US fixed income ETFs like VGIT, would have risen. While we think the war reflects a move away from a heavy isolationist bent that has caused the USD to cede ground to reserve alternatives in the debasement trade (reflected in strong gold prices, more volatile 2025 TIC readings and poorer mid-year 10y bond auctions reflecting repositioning as well as negative USD Treasury commentary from major allocators such as lately Nordic pension funds) we do think that after the initial rotation to lower risk instruments like bonds, more underlying reinflation effects that we are seeing from things like PPI could be shocked upwards by the conflict particularly if protracted. This is not good for duration bets. On the other hand, if the projection of US force results in a dial back of debasement trade bets, for longer-term instruments like those in the VGIT, the financing consequences of a return to form of the USD and a greater appreciation of it as a reserve currency could offset these effects by increased strategic bond demand by allocators in low-risk FI. Moreover, the liberalisation of Iran would also mean the end of support for groups affecting ease of trade in areas like the Red Sea, and greater trade integration and Iran development would be deflationary for global markets, particularly as Iran is capable of major oil production. However, other than perhaps a boost to the USD for the benefit of a foreign investor, it's ambiguous whether a sensitive instrument like VGIT with almost a 5-year duration and therefore 5x sensitivity to 5-year YTM changes will in the end be benefiting from what is happening, so fro...