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Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With Diwali and Dhanteras knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an ETF on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2> Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2> Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3 and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, stock markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

<div type="image" title="Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!" height="900" width="1200" msid="114507055" hostid="261" sizebytes="439216" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from <keyword id="23657519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="king-midas" source="keywords">King Midas</keyword> to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the <keyword id="6384667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bullion" source="Orion">bullion</keyword>. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind China. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With <keyword id="188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="Orion">Diwali</keyword> and <keyword id="4067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="Orion">Dhanteras</keyword> knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure 24k gold, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an <keyword id="19930506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="etf" source="keywords">ETF</keyword> on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2>Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the RBI and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2>Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3- and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the LTCG (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Simply put: Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

India is celebrating <keyword id="23288581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="keywords">Dhanteras</keyword> today, even as the public remains cautious about adding gold's glitter to their portfolios, given the metal's sky-high prices. <keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-prices" source="keywords">Gold prices</keyword> went past the Rs 81,000 mark today in Delhi. Per IBJA (<keyword id="20397944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Bullion-and-Jewellers-Association" source="keywords">India Bullion and Jewellers Association</keyword> Ltd.), the cost of 24K gold stood at Rs 7,885/gram today, while 22K gold was priced at Rs 7,695/gram. While jewelers anticipate some increase in customer footfall today, between afternoon and late evening, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council expects sales volumes to remain steady at around 20 tons. However, per their estimates, sales this year might be down by 5% compared to last year. The <keyword id="19921618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Confederation-of-All-India-Traders" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Confederation of All India Traders" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Confederation of All India Traders">Confederation of All India Traders</keyword> (CAIT) projects nationwide retail trade worth Rs 50,000 crore during this Dhanteras. Even quick-commerce companies are cashing in on the Dhanteras sentiment. While Blinkit has partnered with Joyalukkas and Malabar Gold and Diamonds to deliver gold and silver coins in 10 minutes, Zepto has teamed with Augmont and Malabar for the same. Per media reports, Swiggy Instamart has partnered with Muthoot Exim and Malabar, while BigBasket has tied up with Tanishq. Legend has it that it was on this day that Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health, appeared today, making brass utensils particularly auspicious for purchase. People also seek blessings from Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kuber, and it is considered auspicious to buy gold and silver jewelry, utensils, kitchenware, vehicles, garments, and electronics on this day. <h2>The appreciation of gold</h2> Gold has had a great run this year, having a YTD (yield-to-date) of 24%. Despite high prices, the demand for gold this festive and wedding season is expected to remain buoyant in India. The yellow metal's demand as a haven has jumped up significantly in recent times, owing to <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> like the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Moreover, with governments across the world trying to tame inflation and boost spending by way of rate cuts, gold is increasingly being seen as an effective hedge against inflation. Experts suggest that the demand is set to remain elevated for the times to come. "The immediate outlook for gold remains robust, supported by the recent import duty reduction from 15% to 6%, which has already stirred significant market activity with imports doubling year-over-year. Despite price changes, the traditional festive and wedding seasons continue driving strong demand, with consumers adapting their purchasing patterns," says Vikas Singh, Managing Director &amp; CEO of MMTC-PAMP. "Looking ahead, multiple structural factors paint a positive long-term picture. There is an overall trend of increasing gold holdings providing sustained price support. While physical gold remains paramount, there's increasing interest in gold investments, particularly among urban consumers," he continues. <h2>How to check if your gold is pure </h2>First, always make sure to buy only hallmarked physical gold. "Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in the precious metal article. Hallmarking provides consumers with third-party assurance and satisfaction that they get the right purity of gold (or silver), the government noted in a press release yesterday, urging customers to buy only <keyword id="23040621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hallmarked-gold" source="keywords">hallmarked gold</keyword> and silver. Hallmarked gold is characterized by a few specific marks, like the logo of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), the jeweler's mark, and that of the hallmarking center. During the process of hallmarking, each piece of gold or silver is assigned a 6-digit alphanumeric code or HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification). Download the BIS Care app on your phone and enter this code using the verify HUID icon on the app. This will help you test the veracity of your purchased gold.

Gold continues to shine bright on Dhanteras, but should you participate in the glitter?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The presidential election has the potential to reshape the investment landscape.</li><li>Detailed below is what Wall Street is saying about investing implications across multiple asset classes.</li></ul>With the presidential election just over a week away, and the candidates in a dead heat in the polls, Americans are in suspense about how their lives will change under a new leader.Business Insider has prepared a five-part refresher for the final stretch that will unpack the potential impact that both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris presidencies will have on US consumers. Today's first installment is focused on the investment landscape.To date, Trump and Harris have outlined specific policy proposals that will impact different parts of the stock market. Their varying platforms will also be crucial in determining the future path of interest rates, which will shape the bond market.But they're not expected to have diametrically opposed impacts on everything, with both candidates seen as positive forces for crypto.Detailed below is the latest research and commentary from top Wall Street strategists, outlining how the market and investing landscape will shift under potential Trump or Harris administrations.The guide covers four specific asset classes, and is divided between the Trump and Harris impact on each.<h2 id="40896f3b-9c3a-42aa-82ae-49a1761381ac">Stocks</h2>From the perspective of equities, it's helpful to look at the potential impact on both the micro (specific sectors set to be impacted) and the macro (how the broader market will respond).<h3 id="24c47698-0ee7-4a48-bb04-abe2a4f630c2">Trump</h3><h4 id="51cc4655-bf14-43bc-b772-b54703215a1c">Sectors</h4>Much of the industry guidance for the stock market under Trump boils down to his proposed tax policies. Bank of America says his plan to cut the corporate tax rate to 15% from 21% will boost corporate earnings by 4%. How much it impacts each sector ultimately depends on sensitivity to changes in the tax rate.To that end, BofA says the consumer discretionary and communication services sectors — the areas most beholden to tax-rate changes — will benefit the most. On the flip side, less exposed areas like utilities, real estate, and energy will get the smallest boost.For energy specifically, Trump's pro-drilling stance — while supportive of industry activity — will likely lead to oversupply and lower oil prices, says BNY Wealth. That, in turn, will hurt corporate profitability in the sector and drag on stock prices.It's also worth noting that energy was the worst-performing sector during Trump's previous presidential tenure.Financials is another area of the stock market seen benefiting from a Trump win. <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/if-trump-wins-he-plans-free-wall-street-burdensome-regulations-2024-04-12/">Allies of the former president have said</a> he aims to unburden banks from many of the regulations that were imposed following the 2008 financial crisis, something that his first administration tried to do with limited success.Those looser regulations could could also ignite a fresh wave of mergers and acquisitions, which would increase advisory revenue for big banks and help drive up profits from dealmaking.<h4 id="08ac2f7c-0094-48df-8910-ca3b12ae746a">Broader market</h4>Zooming out and assessing the full equity-market landscape, views are divided, particularly along partisan lines. Trump's proposed tax and regulatory policies are seen by his supporters as pro-business, which would be good news for corporate profit growth and deal activity.But Trump critics argue that his proposal for universal tariffs and steeper levies on Chinese imports — as well as a crackdown on immigration — will be inflationary, which could hold back stock prices. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation says the tariff plan in particular could <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-mckinley-tariffs-great-depression/">hurt profit margins and put pressure on consumer spending</a>.Bank of America estimates that 60% tariffs on China and 10% on other countries would lower S&amp;P 500 earnings per share by 3.1%. That would be a problem since earnings growth has long been the stock market's primary driver of gains."The conventional wisdom is wrong: Trump is not going to substantially cut taxes once in office; he is going to raise taxes by jacking up tariffs. To the extent that this dampens economic activity, it is bad news for stocks," BCA Research chief strategist Peter Berezin said.<h3 id="fe116c39-7eef-494d-b923-93e68c7490b4">Harris</h3><h4 id="82c14dd6-d54a-4af0-a6d6-b171c6d4ccd1">Sectors</h4>Just like with Trump, much of the guidance around the stock market under Harris involves her tax plan. Her proposal to hike the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% would have an inverse effect on sectors.That means consumer discretionary and communication services — the top beneficiaries under Trump — would be hit the hardest under a Harris regime, BofA says."Consumer discretionary stocks have underperformed the S&amp;P 500 modestly since Harris' presidential candidacy was announced, perhaps reflecting concerns that a Democratic President could result in higher corporate taxes and employee wages," BNY Wealth said.Financial firms will also feel a negative impact of both higher taxes and Harris' proposed regulatory tightening.But there are bright spots too. A Harris victory would likely benefit homebuilder stocks because of her proposal to build 3 million houses. Renewable-energy stocks should also see gains due to the favorable view of wind and solar energy by Democrats.Both sectors have outperformed in recent months during periods when Harris saw positive momentum in election polls.<h4 id="27decf30-ab8c-4ed1-beaf-70dfe2073247">Broader market</h4>The stock market <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-today-sp500-hits-another-record-high-q3-earnings-2024-10">has soared to records</a> during Joe Biden's presidency, up more than 50% since he was inaugurated, and a Kamala Harris win would likely be a continuation of many of the same policies that have been supportive of the market.Those include infrastructure investments and tax incentives to bring manufacturing jobs back to the country, like in the semiconductor industry via the CHIPS and Science Act.But BofA says Harris' proposed tax hike would also put downward pressure on corporate profits, which estimates a 5% earnings hit. Beyond that, a quadrupling of the stock buyback tax to 4% would also take 1% off S&amp;P 500 profits, the firm said.With all of these cross-currents swirling, a neutral market outcome must also be assessed.<h3 id="cefe8193-23a0-4521-8119-4d27dde3396d">A potentially muted impact</h3>Capital Economics believes neither a Trump nor Harris win will mean all that much for stock prices because bigger trends — specifically AI — will shape the market's direction."Our upbeat projections for the stock market in 2024 and 2025 are predicated on a view that hype over AI will continue to fuel a stock market bubble," the research firm said. Capital Economics has a 2025 year-end price target of 7,000 for the S&amp;P 500, regardless of which candidate wins the election.Meanwhile, Bank of America said that as long as corporate profits continue to grow, the stock market will <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-election-impact-outlook-harris-trump-energy-tesla-biden-2024-10">rise regardless of who wins</a> the White House.<h2 id="7a7d474f-4301-46c7-a48c-d475d0abd0a4">Bonds</h2>The performance of the US bond market largely hinges on the direction of interest rates.As interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall, and vice versa. And since presidential actions usually impact rates, the bond market will be shaped by what either Trump or Harris end up doing.<h3 id="aa298578-a5d5-4e0a-ab3b-fcb78a88d8dc">Trump</h3>A Trump win would is seen ushering in higher interest rates, which would push bond prices lower. It ultimately boils down to inflation.Economists see Trump's double-whammy proposals of mass deportation and universal tariffs as inflationary. And since the Federal Reserve's primary tool for fighting inflation is raising interest rates, bond prices would suffer as yields rise."Our assessment is that a Trump win would lead to higher US yields," Capital Economics said.Estimates from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.crfb.org/papers/fiscal-impact-harris-and-trump-campaign-plans">Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget</a> — a non-profit think tank — say a wider deficit and an increasing pile of debt under a Trump presidency, compared to a Harris presidency, would also put upward pressure on interest rates. That would also hurt the performance of bonds.<h3 id="c267d16e-6b3a-4db4-8316-c599ab723494">Harris</h3>Capital Economics said it expects interest rates to fall under a Harris win, which would be good news for bonds, as she wouldn't pursue certain inflationary policies like tariffs or immigration deportations, which could fuel wage inflation.Harris' policies, considered to be less inflationary than Trump's, would also allow the Federal Reserve to continue on their path of cutting interest rates, which would boost bond prices.A Bloomberg survey of institutional investors last month found that 30% of investors would add to their bond exposure if Harris wins, while just 17% said they would buy more bonds if Trump wins.Additionally, 46% of respondents said they would reduce their bond exposure if Trump wins, compared to just 23% under a Harris win.<h2 id="648d1263-465a-44c9-b50e-97ea3cd444a7">Crypto</h2><h3 id="77a393b0-f8c1-49d8-b73b-e2f0119e53e1">Trump</h3>A Trump win is seen as bullish for bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency industry, as former President Donald Trump has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-bitcoin-stance-2024-7?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">firmly embraced digital assets</a> in recent years.According to Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/bitcoin-price-outlook-90000-target-if-trump-wins-november-election-2024-9">bitcoin could hit $90,000 by December</a> if Trump wins the election, representing potential upside of about 37% from current levels."Elections remain hard to call, but if you are long crypto here, you are likely taking a Trump trade," Chhugani said.<h3 id="58f9bbfb-d544-465f-8607-1b699202db17">Harris</h3>Harris <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-donald-trump-crypto-bitcoin-donors-young-men-2024-9">has also embraced the crypto industry</a> in recent months, though she's seen as slightly less bullish compared to Trump, given his public displays of support, including addressing crypto conferences and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-nfts-digital-cards-mahattan-trial-2024-5">launching his own NFTs</a>.Yet, Wall Street seems to think that a big case for bitcoin will remain intact no matter who wins. The US government debt pile is expected grow regardless of who controls the White House. That scenario is among bitcoin's biggest bull theses."I'm not sure if either President or other candidate would make a difference. I do believe the utilization of digital assets is going to become more and more of a reality worldwide," BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said during the company's third-quarter earnings call.<h2 id="bb5f6b7e-fd9d-459b-a7dd-22eebbb1993b">US dollar</h2><h3 id="0ae89f53-6e41-467c-8f2a-8aa885fcaf18">Trump</h3>Trump's tax plan and protectionist trade policies are expected to strengthen the dollar. It's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-dollar-trump-presidential-election-weaker-usd-policy-intervention-trillions-2024-7">the opposite</a> of what the presidential hopeful has said he wants, since a weaker currency makes a nation's exports more competitive in global trade.These policies are expected to be inflationary, which would push interest rates higher and possibly prompt the Fed to tighten. Those climbing rates would then underpin dollar gains."Should he re-take the White House ... the dollar would probably rally sharply, at least in the near term, on expectations of higher US tariffs and interest rates," Capital Economics said in recent research.<h3 id="e5ae53de-b9c3-4069-a7a1-5fc244dc29c6">Harris</h3>A Harris presidency would continue the trends of a weaker dollar due to "policy continuity" of the Biden administration, Capital Economics said.Since Harris' overall platform is less expansionary, it's expected to drive less inflationary pressure, and therefore keep the coast clear for the Fed to cut rates and stimulate the economy as currently planned.That likelihood of lower interest would, in turn, push the dollar lower.

How a Trump or Harris presidency could impact your investments

When OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022, an AI revolution of sorts began. Soon, more and more companies began investing in AI and it became the next big thing in tech. Earlier this year, reports about <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> working on a <keyword id="23780159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smarter-Alexa" source="keywords">smarter Alexa</keyword> had surfaced and it was being said that the all-new tech will be rolled out later this year. However, as per latest report, it looks like the smarter <keyword id="196611" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="alexa" source="Orion">Alexa</keyword> won't be here before 2025. According to a Bloomberg report, the roll out of the smarter Alexa has been delayed until 2025. The goal was to make Alexa more conversational, with enhanced abilities that would position it as a more intuitive and powerful <keyword id="20578150" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-assistant" source="keywords">digital assistant</keyword>. However, early testing has reportedly revealed significant challenges. The advanced version of Alexa was intended to be a breakthrough, allowing users to interact with the voice assistant in a more natural and versatile way. However, testers reported that Alexa’s new features were prone to issues, including overly lengthy responses that sometimes veered off-topic. Other complaints involved AI “hallucinations,” where Alexa provided inaccurate information, and unreliable integration with smart home devices, such as light switches, which is critical for many users. While Amazon has not officially commented on the delay, beta access to the upgraded Alexa has reportedly been suspended, limiting users' ability to test out its new capabilities. The delay suggests Amazon may need more time to refine and troubleshoot these issues before launching the update to a global audience. Amazon’s latest moves come as tech companies worldwide race to improve AI-driven assistants. The potential for a more intelligent, interactive Alexa remains high, and Amazon appears committed to delivering a polished, reliable version by 2025. For now, though, Alexa users will have to wait a bit longer for the promised leap forward.

Amazon's smarter Alexa gets delayed, will not be here until 2025

The e-commerce market in India is projected to increase significantly to over USD 300 billion by 2030 as the country's <keyword id="20107419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-economy" source="keywords">digital economy</keyword> is set to reach a whopping USD 1 billion by the same year. According to <keyword id="19918506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Invest-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Invest India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Invest India">Invest India</keyword>, India's online shopper base will be the 2nd largest globally by 2030, with nearly 500-600 Mn shoppers. Even now, India has the 2nd largest Internet user-base globally with 881 million users. India is moving towards becoming a dominant force in global e-commerce by 2030, driven by a growing digital economy and an expanding internet user base. The data from the investment promotion and facilitation agency Invest India from shows India taking the lead in <keyword id="19957108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-shopping" source="keywords">online shopping</keyword>, the e-commerce sector in India is valued at USD 70 billion at present. This makes up for just around 7 percent of the total retail market in the country. However, several factors are likely to contribute a bright future outlook for the sector. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Growing internet penetration and digital economy" comment="subhead" text="Growing internet penetration and digital economy">Growing <keyword id="20707509" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="internet-penetration" source="keywords">internet penetration</keyword> and digital economy</cmsannotation> Internet penetration across has seen substantial growth, with over 60% of the Indian population (918 million) using the internet by September 2023. Further, an estimated 87 percent of Indian households are projected to have internet access as early as 2025. The time spent accessing the internet via mobile devices has also increased by 21 percent compared to 2019. The affordability of data prices in India is a key factor, with one gigabyte of data priced at around USD 0.17 (Rs 13.5), encouraging a large portion of the population to go online. <keyword id="21457667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-data-traffic" source="keywords">Mobile data traffic</keyword> has tripled from 2018 to 2023, demonstrating the growing dependence on <keyword id="19979951" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-platforms" source="keywords">digital platforms</keyword> for diverse requirements. It is projected that by 2026, 1.18 billion people across the country will have access to smartphones, over 80% of India's population. The increasing number of smartphone users along with higher average data consumption per user, boosts the digital economy. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become a major player in digital payments, handling transactions worth USD 1.5 trillion in 2022. There has been a significant increase in the availability of local language and mobile-first content, with about 73 percent of India's internet users utilizing Indian languages. As a result, there is an estimated regional language user base of 540 million, creating a market worth USD 53 billion. Digital infrastructure like UPI, eKYC, and Aadhaar has cut down the consumer onboarding time by 80 percent, enhancing the digital experience. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is another notable initiative by the Government of India, launched in 2022. It aims to provide equal opportunities to MSMEs to thrive in digital commerce and democratize e-commerce. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A transition along with growth" comment="subhead" text="A transition along with growth">A transition along with growth</cmsannotation> In FY 2022-23, Government e-marketplace (GeM) registered its highest ever Gross Merchandise Value of $2011 Bn, shows data from Invest India. The projected growth in online shoppers in India is substantial, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22 percent to 88 million in rural India and 15 percent to 263 million in urban India from 2019 to 2026. There is a notable transition towards rural-focused value e-commerce, with more than 60 percent of demand anticipated to come from tier 2-4 towns and rural India by 2026. Government programs such as the National Logistics Policy are designed to streamline deliveries to remote areas, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of logistics. The quick commerce market in India's hyperlocal mobility sector is also projected to grow exponentially to achieve a market size of USD 5.5 billion by 2025. Leading companies like Swiggy and Zomato are at the forefront of the market, while startups like Zepto are also gaining substantial market share. <keyword id="20873923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-commerce" source="keywords">Social commerce</keyword>, a new trend that uses social networks and digital media to connect buyers and sellers, is also projected to achieve a market size of USD 70 billion by 2030, with small video applications gaining significant popularity. Significant mergers and acquisitions have been observed in the e-commerce sector, with companies such as Zomato and PhonePe making strategic decisions to enhance their positions. Government schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, BharatNet Project, and the implementation of Goods &amp; Service Tax (GST) have been instrumental in shaping India's digital economy. (With inputs from ANI)

India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030

<ul class="summary-list"><li>ETF inflows have taken off in the last week or so, as have stocks.</li><li>Strategists, including BlackRock's Gargi Chaudhuri, are optimistic about the economy.</li></ul>Investors have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-trump-win-election-stock-market-outlook-strategy-2024-11">poured money into the market</a> at an unprecedented pace since <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-wins-presidential-election-race-2024-11">Donald Trump's victory</a>, though a veteran investment chief believes there's much more than politics at play.Inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have shattered the record set in 2021 with more than a month and a half to spare, according to asset management titan BlackRock. The world's largest ETF issuer recently noted that $77 billion went into ETFs in the week after the election, which had never happened before. That surge coincided with the S&amp;P 500's best week of 2024.Markets were especially euphoric <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-outlook-trump-president-economy-tariffs-trade-war-kelly-2024-11">immediately after election day</a>. An astounding $22.3 billion went into US ETFs last Wednesday, and BlackRock's uber-popular iShares Russell 2000 ETF (<a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/ishares-russell-2000-etf-us4642876555">IWM</a>) had its most active day of trading and inflows since 2007 as small caps soared by 5.8%.However, BlackRock's Gargi Chaudhuri doesn't think President-elect Trump deserves all the credit for this astounding market rally. The chief investment and portfolio strategist, Americas noted in a recent interview that US stocks <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-rally-outlook-trump-win-investing-strategy-2025-page-2024-11">had several strong catalysts</a> before Trump's win."Obviously, there have been some pretty sharp movements over the course of the last week," Chaudhuri told Business Insider. "But even as we look back to the quarter before that or since the beginning of this year, I think there have been some very solid fundamentals that have underpinned this movement."Robust growth for the economy and corporate earnings are some of the most salient market drivers, as are lower interest rates and receding inflation, Chaudhuri said. End-of-year rallies are also very common, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-outlook-history-yearend-rally-election-trump-harris-truist-2024-11">especially in strong years for the market</a>, as Truist recently remarked.Another convincing explanation for this recent market momentum is that investors had reduced risk as uncertainty mounted ahead of the election before quickly changing course when they got clarity on the path forward sooner and more decisively than anticipated."Investors bringing down their portfolio risk going into elections was perhaps one of the reasons that we have seen this pretty strong re-risking in markets, especially after we got the election results," Chaudhuri said.<h2 id="e1cf1135-8543-44c9-9cf9-a679564fb91f">Why softer economic readings are a red herring</h2>As the new year approaches, Chaudhuri is rather confident about the US economy, even though a few recent developments seem to have given the glass-half-empty camp some ammunition.GDP growth and job additions have slipped lately, though neither is a major cause for concern for Chaudhuri. The economy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gdp-gross-domestic-product-third-quarter-economy-2024-10">didn't expand as much as expected in the third quarter</a>, but GDP still rose <a target="_blank" href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/gdp-growth">at a healthy clip of 2.8%</a>. And a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/october-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-nonfarm-payroll-growth-federal-reserve-2024-11">weak October jobs figure</a> appears to be largely due to the severe weather events that disrupted thousands of workers.Besides, more modest growth is a sign that the economy isn't overheating, which is welcome news to the Federal Reserve in its quest to ease financial conditions without reviving inflation. Such moderations aren't giving Chaudhuri pause about the trajectory of the US economy."It would be very normal for us to continue to see a further normalization in the labor market, given how strong the economy has already been, how high rates are," Chaudhuri said.The investment chief added: "We haven't really seen that job destruction taking place quite yet. You're still seeing wages rising; you're not seeing layoffs pick up in a meaningful manner."Corporate earnings growth is arguably the most compelling reason to stick with US stocks following what's been another outstanding performance this year. Profits <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-rally-outlook-trump-win-investing-strategy-2025-page-2024-11">jumped about 7% in the third quarter</a>, which is well above the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-q3-earnings-season-recession-risk-investing-strategy-2024-10">mid-single-digit figure that analysts were banking on</a>."One of the things that the equity market has done over and over again is continue to surprise us in terms of earnings growth," Chaudhuri said. "I think companies have continued to find very innovative ways to manage their expenses. They've found a way, especially given the spend on AI, the type of CapEx that's going into finding ways to make companies have more productivity."<h2 id="1bb5d4ad-c973-49dc-9ddc-4fb0e9f732a3">Where to invest in a rosy 2025</h2>Two sectors with abnormally strong earnings prospects are financials and industrials, Chaudhuri said. These economically sensitive groups enjoyed some of the larger post-election pops as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-trump-win-election-stock-market-outlook-strategy-2024-11">Wall Street puts its chips on sectors that should benefit from a hot economy</a>.And although <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-stocks-to-buy-strong-growth-market-outlook-garp-bmo-2024-10">smaller stocks have been on a heater</a>, Chaudhuri believes that large, undervalued companies are the better place to be, given their superior earnings setup."For a longer period of time, large cap is where we think the earnings growth is going to continue to be higher and better," Chaudhuri said.While earnings may not be under the microscope like they were when interest rates were at their peak, they're still top of mind for Chaudhuri. Larger stocks often have better earnings than their smaller peers, and the investment chief thinks that the cream will eventually rise to the top."This catch-up trade that's happening in small caps right now has a little bit of legs," Chaudhuri said. "I think that can continue, maybe 'til the end of this month or even the end of next month."Chaudhuri continued: "But for us to believe in sustained rallies in small caps, we would need to see earnings growth, and over 50% of the small-cap index still is not very profitable."

BlackRock's Gargi Chaudhuri shares how to invest as ETF inflows soar to records ahead of a promising 2025

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-life-career-education">Jeff Bezos</a> just invested in an artificial intelligence startup creating digital brains for robots.</li><li>Physical Intelligence's software lets robots perform a variety of tasks.</li></ul>Jeff Bezos' latest investment is an artificial intelligence startup that is trying to create software for robots that can do a variety of tasks — from folding laundry to clearing tables after a meal.The startup, Physical Intelligence, has raised $400 million in financing in a round led by the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/amazon">Amazon</a> executive chairman and venture capital firms Lux Capital and Thrive Capital, The New York Times <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/04/business/dealbook/physical-intelligence-robot-ai.html">reported</a> on Monday. Thrive Capital confirmed to Business Insider the firm's participation in the funding raise.The funding round gives Physical Intelligence a $2 billion pre-money valuation.Many startups are developing robots that can perform one specific task, such as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-burrito-bowl-robot-tests-automation-faster-food-delivery-2023-9#metal-arms-beneath-the-food-pans-move-bowls-from-one-food-dispenser-to-another-5">dispensing ingredients at a restaurant</a>.Physical Intelligence says that it wants robots using its software to be able to do a range of jobs — "a true generalist," as Karol Hausman, the startup's chief executive, cofounder, and a former robotics scientist at Google, told the Times.The startup created a general-purpose robot foundation model, called pi-zero, using data gathered from eight different robots. Using the model, each robot performed <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.physicalintelligence.company/blog/pi0">a different task</a>. Physical Intelligence also used open-source data to create its software."Our goal in selecting these tasks is not to solve any particular application, but to start to provide our model with a general understanding of physical interactions — an initial foundation for physical intelligence," the company said in its October post.The result is a robot that can move between jobs. The startup says that its mission is to "develop foundation models that can control any robot to perform any task."One video that Physical Intelligence posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, shows a robot retrieving laundry from a dryer before folding it on a table. Another video shows a robot that uses pi-zero to separate trash from dishes, cups, and silverware as it clears a table after a meal.To clear the table, the robot had to learn multiple smaller actions first, the company said. "Instead of simply grasping each item in turn, the model could stack multiple dishes to put them into the bin together, or shake off trash from a plate into the garbage before placing the plate into the bussing bin," Physical Intelligence said in a post.The robot can also fold a cardboard box and put eggs into a carton, according to videos posted to the company's website.Physical Intelligence says that its work is not perfect. The startup's post also includes videos of robots that used pi-zero failing to complete the task that they were assigned. The company also said that "generalist robot policies are still in their infancy, and we have a long way to go.""Our experiments so far show that such models can control a variety of robots and perform tasks that no prior robot learning system has done successfully, such as folding laundry from a hamper or assembling a cardboard box," the company's post reads.Physical Intelligence, a representative for Bezos, and the other VC firms reportedly in the funding round did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.The startup's funding raise comes as major tech players invest in robotics. Elon Musk's Tesla has been developing a humanoid robot for use in both factories and the home. Meta recently announced it is researching touch perception in robotic hands, with Mark Zuckerberg calling the work "an important step on the path to AGI." OpenAI and Microsoft have invested in humanoid robot startup Figure AI.Amazon is also partnered with A<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/agility-robotics-laid-off-employees-amazon-2024-4">gility Robotics</a> for warehouse robots, including the bipedal robot Digit.

Watch the AI robots that Jeff Bezos just invested in fold laundry and put eggs in a carton

Post the Fed's 50 basis point interest rate cut in September, the yellow metal has been scaling record highs every day. And per a recent <keyword id="22362020" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UBS-report" source="keywords">UBS report</keyword>, its glitter is not going down anytime soon, with gold potentially touching $2,750 by the end of this year, and as much as $2,900 by the third quarter of 2025. Treasury yields, or interest rates have always had an inverse relationship with gold, which is why the metal's demand witnesses a notable uptick, every time the Fed slashes rates. This is because an interest rate cut reduces the yields i.e. returns that investors earn by way of having funds in government treasury bonds. As a result, investors tend to withdraw their money, weakening the dollar, thereby making the yellow metal a lucrative investment option. Going ahead, the markets are anticipating that the Fed will further bring down interest rates again, by around 75-100 basis points by the end of this year. As the CME FedWatch Tool indicates, there is now a 62.2% chance that the Fed will cut down interest rates by another 50 basis point during its meeting in November. This is also why <keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-prices" source="keywords">gold prices</keyword> have been seeing a healthy growth in both domestic and international markets. According to a report by Angel One, the demand of safe-haven gold is only set to go up in the months to come. Apart from Fed's rate cuts and the upcoming <keyword id="20585365" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-elections" source="keywords">US elections</keyword>, there are tensions brewing globally on the geo-political front, with militant group Hezbollah's leader <keyword id="22445260" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sayyed-hassan-nasrallah" source="keywords">Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah</keyword> killed in a powerful airstrike in Beirut. This has dealt a heavy blow to the Iran-backed group, as it reels from an escalating campaign of Israeli attacks. "In such times, zero-yield bullion tends to be a preferred investment, more likely so in a low-interest rate environment and also, during geopolitical turmoil", the note added. <h2>Momentum set to continue </h2>The bullion recently touched an all-time high price of $2,670 on September 24th, 2024, and has rallied as much as 10% during the past 6 months. Closer home, we are approaching the festive season, as India gears up to celebrate festivals like Diwali (Dhanteras) and Akshaya Tritiya in October. These have long been associated with heightened gold purchases in the country. Particularly, Dhanteras sees a surge in gold buying as it is considered an auspicious time to acquire new assets, majorly gold. As the UBS report states, "the metal's current elevated starting point provides increased scope for gains in the coming months, particularly as ETF demand accelerates. We recommend gold as a strategic hedge within a diversified portfolio, suggesting a 5% allocation to the precious metal". Alekh Yadav, Head of Investment Products at Sanctum Wealth, also advises making some allocation to gold in your portfolio, since gold has a negative correlation with equities; whenever equity markets correct, gold typically performs better. Given that US markets are currently at elevated valuations, gold can serve as a hedge against potential global equity corrections, he explains. "In conclusion, we believe that some allocation to gold, even at current levels, makes sense as a hedge against global risks", he continues. As a thumb rule, you should always have anywhere between 5-10% allocation to gold via digital gold, gold bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) etc., since it serves as an effective hedge against inflation, and declining yields. Note that your allocation to gold should not be arbitrary or as a lumpsum, but rather in sync with your overall financial goals, and also, should be increased gradually, via SIPs. However, during prevailing economic conditions, increasing your investments in gold might not be a bad idea as well. But remember to consult with your financial planner over this. Over-investing in gold is also not advisable, since the asset class does not generate high-returns, which means a significant potion of your money could be stuck in a non-yield generating asset, when it could have been in equities or other assets, which generate comparatively more returns.

Is this a good time to invest in gold? Here's what experts are saying

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wall Street analysts expect Amazon to deliver an earnings beat when it reports quarterly results on Thursday </li><li>Expanding growth in Amazon's cloud platform is a bullish driver, analysts said. </li></ul>Wall Street is gearing up for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/amzn-stock">Amazon</a> to deliver strong quarterly financial results after the closing bell on Thursday, though uncertainty lingers about how the company might navigate a slowdown in consumer spending. Most analysts anticipate solid earnings and further upside for Amazon stock, driven by its cloud platform and advertising strength. Yet, concerns linger over slowing retail margins and Amazon's rising investments in other areas of its business. That includes Project Kuiper, Amazon's initiative to deploy thousands of satellites for an increased broadband network, as well as investments in AI.Here's what analysts are saying ahead of the company's earnings.<h2 id="7d0771bb-aa3e-412b-a84f-9826870e8bca">CFRA: Searching for investment balance</h2>CFRA considers Amazon a compelling multi-year profit and cashflow story, but the firm is cautious about near-term prospects. "Growth may not be linear due to a tepid consumer spending environment, lumpy AWS deal volume, and accelerated investments in areas like Project Kuiper, generative AI, same-day fulfillment, and Prime Video digital content."Analyst Arun Sundaram said this will translate into a "modest" third-quarter earnings beat. CFRA expects revenue to rise 10.5% year-over-year and GAAP operating profit to climb 36%. CFRA's estimates are at the upper end of Amazon's guidance range."Overall, investors will be looking for AMZN to strike the right balance of growth vs. investments," Sundaram said.The note said that while Amazon's operating margins are expected to continue growing into 2025, reinvestment into other areas of the business will slow this expansion.CFRA trimmed its Amazon price target to $219 a share on October 21, indicating 13% upside ahead.<h2 id="29d2fdf4-34f7-4afe-b90a-0a79ffeca902">Bank of America: Mixed results incoming</h2>BofA's Justin Post suggested investors brace for a mixed bag of third-quarter results.Bank of America views consensus revenue estimates as too high and predicts $157 billion for the quarter. However, the bank's outlook for operating profit stands above consensus views at $15 billion.The bank expects the quarter's leading growth drivers will include Amazon Web Services, the firm's AI-led cloud-computing platform. According to Post, margins here will likely be better than Wall Street is expecting"AI demand likely improved further in 3Q, and we think investors may be expecting 20% y/y growth for 3Q, which would suggest the largest 3Q in terms of sequential dollars added at $1.39bn," he said.Consumer spending uncertainty could be a concern, and BofA expects a slight deceleration in discretionary retail sales growth.The firm has a "buy" rating on the stock and a $210 price target, which implies an 8.3% gain from current levels.<h2 id="a9024ebe-7cb6-44b8-a728-de20774ef87c">JPMorgan: AWS acceleration leaves room for optimism</h2>JPMorgan cited Amazon's expanding cloud platform and solid store growth as key reasons to be bullish on the stock.The bank said easing optimizations, workload migrations, and AI's growing monetization will support further AWS acceleration through this year, leading to 20% growth year-to-date.In line with Bank of America, the firm anticipates third-quarter net sales to reach $157 billion, below consensus estimates of $157.3 billion. Meanwhile, retail profits in the last quarter faced headwinds, and consumers appear cautious about spending. Shoppers eager for a deal are weighing on Amazon's average selling prices, the bank said.JPMorgan has an "overweight" rating on Amazon and a $230 price target. This suggests an 18.6% upside from current levels.<h2 id="fb352aa7-bfbb-4165-82f3-89a50fc7ea22">Wedbush Securities: Don't worry about rising investment costs</h2>Wedbush Securities has cheered Amazon's growing cloud segment and a revenue shift toward high-margin advertising. Together, these should help offset headwinds brought on by the company's spending on investments elsewhere. "We think the risk/reward is attractive heading into results as investor expectations for 2H profitability have moderated, AWS growth continues to accelerate, and advertising momentum is building into 2025," a team of analysts led by Scott Devitt wrote.The firm said investors have toned down margin expectations due to Amazon's spending in new investment areas, such as Project Kuiper. While this may require more investment from the company over time, Wedbush doesn't expect it to impact profitability in the near-term.Wedbush reiterated its "outperform" rating and $225 price target, implying a 16% gain from current levels.<h2 id="e4b3e058-a63d-4251-8620-4b1f8f0899e3">Morgan Stanley: Bullish into 2025</h2>Analysts led by Brian Nowak focused on Amazon's fourth-quarter guidance, suggesting that the company's earnings before interest and taxes might come in lower than expected."We see AMZN's high and growing focus on lower-priced, lower-margin essentials driving merchandise margin pressure... which is holding back the near-term slope of its N. America retail profit ramp. Expected discounting in a competitive holiday season (and picky discretionary consumer) create further near-term uncertainty," they said.The bank expects fourth-quarter EBIT of around $17.5 billion, 1% below consensus expectations.But looking forward to 2025, the bank recommends sticking with the stock as retail pressures will be a short-term headwind. Corporate efficiencies and shipping costs will make lower-priced essentials profitable for the company through next year, the bank projected.Morgan Stanley has a $210 price target for the stock, representing upside of about 8% from Wednesday's share price.

Wall Street is bullish on Amazon earnings despite uncertainty around consumer spending, rising investment costs

India’s automobile sector is expected to get a boost during the upcoming festive season, with a forecasted growth of over 15%, particularly in the two-wheeler (2W) segment. According to an ANI report, this projection comes from a research report by <keyword id="23122458" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nuvama-wealth-investment-limited" source="keywords">Nuvama Wealth Investment Limited</keyword>, which attributes the growth to increased customer enquiries and a resurgence in rural demand. A key factor driving this surge is the anticipated revival of rural demand, which contributes more than 55% to the two-wheeler market. According to the report, rural areas are showing strong signs of recovery, and the increased enquiries suggest a positive outlook for sales. This bodes well for mass-market original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as TVS Motors, <keyword id="19983534" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hero-motocorp" source="keywords">Hero MotoCorp</keyword>, and <keyword id="19897354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bajaj-auto" source="keywords">Bajaj Auto</keyword>. The launch of new models, including the <keyword id="22875740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tvs-jupiter" source="keywords">TVS Jupiter</keyword> and Hero Xtreme 125R, is also expected to boost two-wheeler sales. In contrast, premium OEMs like Eicher Motors, which produces Royal Enfield motorcycles, may not experience the same level of demand growth. In the passenger vehicle segment, rural demand accounts for over 35% of the market. While growth in this area is expected to be in the single digits, it is anticipated that utility vehicles (UVs) will outpace hatchbacks with double-digit growth. This trend will likely benefit manufacturers such as Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and Tata Motors, with new models like the Mahindra Thar Roxx and Tata Currv expected to attract a significant share of customers. On the other hand, <keyword id="19909974" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="keywords">Maruti Suzuki</keyword>, traditionally a strong player in the hatchback segment, may see more subdued growth compared to its rivals in the UV space. In preparation for the festive season, dealers have ramped up their inventories for both two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. According to the report, dealers have built up stocks for 1.5 to 2.5 months, signalling confidence in the market’s potential for increased sales. This build-up of inventory demonstrates that both manufacturers and dealers are optimistic about the surge in demand during the festive period. While two-wheelers and passenger vehicles are set to lead the charge this festive season, the commercial vehicle (CV) market is expected to grow at a more modest pace. Demand for medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCVs) is projected to increase in the low single digits, primarily driven by replacement demand as freight availability improves across India. Similarly, the tractor segment is expected to perform well over the next few years, with volume growth likely in the high single digits from FY24 to FY26. Tractors are seen as a strong performer in the long term, and the sector is poised to benefit from India’s agricultural demand and rural recovery. Looking beyond the festive season, the report suggests that the long-term outlook for the two-wheeler and tractor segments remains robust. Historical sales cycles, which typically span two to four years, suggest that these sectors could reach new peaks in the coming years. As a result, the report forecasts high single-digit volume growth for two-wheelers and tractors through FY24-26, while passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles are expected to see low single-digit growth. Overall, the Nuvama report paints a positive picture for the Indian automobile sector. (With PTI inputs)

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