... highs World financial markets are wrapping up the week on an optimistic note. In the USA, stock indices hit historical highs owing to strong corporate earnings and hopes for imminent monetary policy easing. Meanwhile, prices for safe-haven assets like gold remain near record levels, although risk appetite has slightly increased amidst progress in trade negotiations. Investors from the CIS are particularly focused on the Central Bank of Russia's unexpected sharp cut in the key interest rate, as well ...

... may depreciate due to declining revenues, business failures, or negative news releasing in the market. Real estate can lose value due to an economic downturn, oversupply, or deterioration of the property itself. Even commodity prices (such as oil or gold) are susceptible to fluctuations in supply and demand. For investors, a decline in the asset's price represents a direct loss, especially if the asset needs to be sold during this period. How can this risk be reduced? While it is impossible to completely ...

... Overall, the collective index of Asia-Pacific stocks has shown little change over the week: support from positive news from Wall Street and hopes for trade deals was balanced by local risks and investor caution in Asia. Commodity Markets: Oil Balances, Gold Holds Its Position The commodity markets are maintaining relative price equilibrium. Brent crude oil has been trading in a narrow range of around $67–70 per barrel for the past few weeks. By the end of this week, Brent quotes stabilized around ...

... generate stable cash flows and pay dividends may serve as defensive assets for investors seeking consistent income. Inflation-Linked Bonds: Government and corporate bonds indexed to inflation might help protect portfolios from currency depreciation. Gold and Other Defensive Assets: Historically, gold shows resilience to inflation and can serve as a capital preservation asset. Expectations for Monetary Policy and Their Market Impact Given the inflation data, the Central Bank of Russia is likely to ...

... reduce their dependence on the U.S. have begun developing alternative financial instruments, including transactions in national currencies. Decreasing Dollar Share in Reserves: Many central banks have started actively increasing their allocations in gold, yuan, and euros, reflecting the trend of dedollarization. Implications for the Global Economy The reduction of investments in dollar-denominated assets may impact several aspects of the global economy: Rise of Alternative Currencies: An increased ...