Gold Hits Record Highs as Markets Brace for U.S. Shutdown and Trade Tensions.
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Market Mood
Markets are navigating growing uncertainty as the threat of a U.S. government shutdown, rising trade tensions with China, and record-high gold prices above $4,000 per ounce highlight investor caution despite resilient equity performance. Treasury yields fell as investors priced in the likelihood of rate cuts amid cooling labor data, while global central banks largely held steady. Although shutdowns have historically had limited long-term impact, concerns over potential job cuts and fiscal stability have added to volatility. Amid this backdrop, Hawthorne remains positioned for resilience, maintaining U.S. equity exposure with downside protection through S&P 500 put options, while diversifying globally to balance opportunity and risk across regions.