As of April 16, 2025, the yield for a ten-year U.S. government bond was 4.34 percent, while the yield for a two-year bond was 3.86 percent. This represents an inverted yield curve, whereby bonds of longer maturities provide a lower yield, reflecting investors' expectations for a decline in long-term interest rates. Hence, making long-term debt holders open to more risk under the uncertainty around the condition of financial markets in the future. That markets are uncertain can be seen by considering both the short-term fluctuations, and the long-term downward trend, of the yields of U.S. government bonds from 2006 to 2021, before the treasury yield curve increased again significantly in the following years. What are government bonds? Government bonds, otherwise called ‘sovereign’ or ‘treasury’ bonds, are financial instruments used by governments to raise money for government spending. Investors give the government a certain amount of money (the ‘face value’), to be repaid at a specified time in the future (the ‘maturity date’). In addition, the government makes regular periodic interest payments (called ‘coupon payments’). Once initially issued, government bonds are tradable on financial markets, meaning their value can fluctuate over time (even though the underlying face value and coupon payments remain the same). Investors are attracted to government bonds as, provided the country in question has a stable economy and political system, they are a very safe investment. Accordingly, in periods of economic turmoil, investors may be willing to accept a negative overall return in order to have a safe haven for their money. For example, once the market value is compared to the total received from remaining interest payments and the face value, investors have been willing to accept a negative return on two-year German government bonds between 2014 and 2021. Conversely, if the underlying economy and political structures are weak, investors demand a higher return to compensate for the higher risk they take on. Consequently, the return on bonds in emerging markets like Brazil are consistently higher than that of the United States (and other developed economies). Inverted yield curves When investors are worried about the financial future, it can lead to what is called an ‘inverted yield curve’. An inverted yield curve is where investors pay more for short term bonds than long term, indicating they do not have confidence in long-term financial conditions. Historically, the yield curve has historically inverted before each of the last five U.S. recessions. The last U.S. yield curve inversion occurred at several brief points in 2019 – a trend which continued until the Federal Reserve cut interest rates several times over that year. However, the ultimate trigger for the next recession was the unpredicted, exogenous shock of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, showing how such informal indicators may be grounded just as much in coincidence as causation.

CN: Local Government Bond: Average Issuance Rate: ytd: 2 Year data was reported at 1.320 % pa in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.290 % pa for Jan 2025. CN: Local Government Bond: Average Issuance Rate: ytd: 2 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 2.470 % pa from Feb 2019 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.150 % pa in Dec 2020 and a record low of 1.290 % pa in Jan 2025. CN: Local Government Bond: Average Issuance Rate: ytd: 2 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Finance. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Money Market, Interest Rate, Yield and Exchange Rate – Table CN.MF: MOF: Local Government Bond Yield: Primary Market.

Poland's main stock market index, the WIG, fell to 105548 points on July 4, 2025, losing 0.60% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 5.31% and is up 20.91% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Poland. Warsaw Stock Exchange WIG Index - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

The year 2025 has seen significant stock market volatility, with many of the world's largest companies experiencing substantial year-to-date losses. Tesla, Inc. has been hit particularly hard, with a 32.6 percent decline as of April 10, 2025. Even tech giants like Apple and Microsoft have not been immune, seeing losses of 20.59 percent and 7.63 percent respectively. Tech giants maintain market dominance despite losses Despite the recent stock price declines, technology companies continue to lead in market capitalization. Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, Amazon, and Alphabet (Google) remain among the few companies with market caps exceeding one trillion U.S. dollars. This dominance reflects their long-term growth and influence in the global economy, even as they face short-term challenges in the stock market. Market volatility reflects broader economic concerns The current stock market losses are reminiscent of past periods of economic uncertainty. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe market turbulence, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping around 8,000 points in just four weeks. While the market has since recovered and reached new highs, the current downturn suggests ongoing economic concerns. Investors are likely reacting to various factors, including inflation, geopolitical tensions, and potential shifts in consumer behavior.

Between January 1971 and May 2025, gold had average annual returns of **** percent, which was only slightly more than the return of commodities, with an annual average of around eight percent. The annual return of gold was over ** percent in 2024. What is the total global demand for gold? The global demand for gold remains robust owing to its historical importance, financial stability, and cultural appeal. During economic uncertainty, investors look for a safe haven, while emerging markets fuel jewelry demand. A distinct contrast transpired during COVID-19, when the global demand for gold experienced a sharp decline in 2020 owing to a reduction in consumer spending. However, the subsequent years saw an increase in demand for the precious metal. How much gold is produced worldwide? The production of gold depends mainly on geological formations, market demand, and the cost of production. These factors have a significant impact on the discovery, extraction, and economic viability of gold mining operations worldwide. In 2024, the worldwide production of gold was expected to reach *** million ounces, and it is anticipated that the rate of growth will increase as exploration technologies improve, gold prices rise, and mining practices improve.

The value of the DJIA index amounted to ********* at the end of March 2025, up from ********* at the end of March 2020. Global panic about the coronavirus epidemic caused the drop in March 2020, which was the worst drop since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Dow Jones Industrial Average index – additional information The Dow Jones Industrial Average index is a price-weighted average of 30 of the largest American publicly traded companies on New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, and includes companies like Goldman Sachs, IBM and Walt Disney. This index is considered to be a barometer of the state of the American economy. DJIA index was created in 1986 by Charles Dow. Along with the NASDAQ 100 and S&P 500 indices, it is amongst the most well-known and used stock indexes in the world. The year that the 2018 financial crisis unfolded was one of the worst years of the Dow. It was also in 2008 that some of the largest ever recorded losses of the Dow Jones Index based on single-day points were registered. On September 29, 2008, for instance, the Dow had a loss of ****** points, one of the largest single-day losses of all times. The best years in the history of the index still are 1915, when the index value increased by ***** percent in one year, and 1933, year when the index registered a growth of ***** percent.

As of 31 May 2025, MSCI U.S. had an average **-year return rate of ***** percent, whereas gold had a return rate of ***** percent. Gold mining overview In light of recent technological advancements shaping the gold mining market, global gold production has been rather stable in the last few years, hovering around ***** metric tons since 2020. Among nations, Australia holds the highest gold production, surpassing countries with the highest mine gold reserves. Gold as a financial security Known for its ability to provide diversification to investment portfolios, gold has exhibited a positive trend in its Gold’s return rate was particularly high in the early 2000s, and, despite experiencing a decline during the pandemic, it demonstrated a remarkable recovery since. Furthermore, gold serves as a valuable asset for a nation's economic stability, with the United States holding the highest amount of

Interactive chart of the S&P 500 stock market index since 1927. Historical data is inflation-adjusted using the headline CPI and each data point represents the month-end closing value. The current month is updated on an hourly basis with today's latest value.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) index dropped around ***** points in the four weeks from February 12 to March 11, 2020, but has since recovered and peaked at ********* points as of November 24, 2024. In February 2020 - just prior to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the DJIA index stood at a little over ****** points. U.S. markets suffer as virus spreads The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a turbulent period for stock markets – the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also recorded dramatic drops. At the start of February, some analysts remained optimistic that the outbreak would ease. However, the increased spread of the virus started to hit investor confidence, prompting a record plunge in the stock markets. The Dow dropped by more than ***** points in the week from February 21 to February 28, which was a fall of **** percent – its worst percentage loss in a week since October 2008. Stock markets offer valuable economic insights The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a stock market index that monitors the share prices of the 30 largest companies in the United States. By studying the performance of the listed companies, analysts can gauge the strength of the domestic economy. If investors are confident in a company’s future, they will buy its stocks. The uncertainty of the coronavirus sparked fears of an economic crisis, and many traders decided that investment during the pandemic was too risky.

Russia's main stock market index, the MOEX, fell to 2802 points on July 4, 2025, losing 0.75% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 1.91% and is down 11.06% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Russia. Russia Stock Market Index MOEX CFD - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

As of February 2024, the Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. was the leading mutual fund company in the Philippines, with a year-to-date (YTD) growth rate of about 4.42 percent. First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. follows with a YTD growth of 4.20 percent.

View data of the S&P 500, an index of the stocks of 500 leading companies in the US economy, which provides a gauge of the U.S. equity market.

Greece's main stock market index, the Athens General, rose to 1918 points on July 4, 2025, gaining 0.15% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 4.29% and is up 33.15% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Greece. Greece Stock Market (ASE) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Indonesia's main stock market index, the JCI, fell to 6865 points on July 4, 2025, losing 0.19% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 3.49% and is down 5.35% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Indonesia. Indonesia Stock Market (JCI) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Japan's main stock market index, the JP225, closed flat at 39785 points on July 4, 2025. Over the past month, the index has climbed 5.94%, though it remains 2.76% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Japan. Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

China's main stock market index, the SHANGHAI, rose to 3472 points on July 4, 2025, gaining 0.32% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 2.61% and is up 17.71% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from China. China Shanghai Composite Stock Market Index - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

China Local Government Bond: Average Issuance Rate: Year to Date: 5 Year data was reported at 1.520 % pa in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.480 % pa for Jan 2025. China Local Government Bond: Average Issuance Rate: Year to Date: 5 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 2.720 % pa from Feb 2019 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.300 % pa in Jul 2019 and a record low of 1.480 % pa in Jan 2025. China Local Government Bond: Average Issuance Rate: Year to Date: 5 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Finance. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Money Market, Interest Rate, Yield and Exchange Rate – Table CN.MF: MOF: Local Government Bond Yield: Primary Market.

Israel's main stock market index, the TA-125, rose to 3097 points on July 3, 2025, gaining 0.60% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 13.73% and is up 55.45% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Israel. Israel Stock Market (TA-125) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Germany's main stock market index, the DE40, fell to 23787 points on July 4, 2025, losing 0.61% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 2.20%, though it remains 28.75% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Germany. Germany Stock Market Index (DE40) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Turkey's main stock market index, the BIST 100, rose to 10276 points on July 4, 2025, gaining 0.46% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 8.32%, though it remains 5.31% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Turkey. Turkey Stock Market - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.