The US economy signals a slowdown, political concerns drive gold prices up to $4,600, breaking records and boosting employment.

The Painful Financial Market Situation Today: 4 Stories That Changed Investment Directions

Global Tensions Escalate, Gold Soars to Historic Highs

The week begins with waves of panic spreading across the OTC arena. Gold prices (XAUUSD) broke through the $4,600 level in the Asian morning session, setting a new record never seen before. The push was driven by factors beyond just interest rates.

The turning point came from CNN reporting on the turmoil between Donald Trump and Iran. Trump emphasized the possibility of using force, while Europe tried to play a role, with the UK and Germany announcing the expansion of military presence in Greenland to show resolve. The polar region has become divided. In this environment, investors flock to Safe Haven Assets like water flowing to the lowest point.

U.S. Policy Caught in Political Cycle, Powell Faces Criminal Investigation

The global market trembled after Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve Chair, confirmed he is under legal investigation related to Donald Trump. The context involves allegations of misusing government funds, but many interpret this as political maneuvering to pressure Powell to be replaced by someone more favorable to Trump.

Powell responded via video with strong words, stating this is a threat to the independence of the Federal Reserve. This message triggered alarm bells among investors worldwide. There is concern that U.S. monetary policy may shift away from economic fundamentals toward political games.

Slowdown in Employment, Deepening Housing Decline, but Consumers Remain Confident

Economic data released the following day showed worrying signs. Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) in December increased by only 50,000, below the forecast of 60,000. New housing starts (Housing Starts) plummeted, reflecting the impact of high interest rates. However, the Consumer Confidence Index (Consumer Confidence Index) rose to 54, the highest in recent months.

These conditions reflect an economy that is still strong, but why do problems still dominate? Analysts believe gold has decoupled from interest rates. Gold is expected to continue rising due to concerns over recession rather than increasing.

Thai Stock Market Faces Winds, Need Safe Havens

Regarding the Thai stock market, which is shaken by foreign selling, the advice is for investors to stay calm and avoid overreacting to short-term inflows and outflows.

As the Thai economy slows, winning in large-cap stocks of manufacturers or investing in sectors like medical tourism (Medical Tourism) and high-dividend (Dividend Plays) stocks with stable income has become less attractive. A clear strategy is to choose “sleeping hole stocks,” especially hospital groups with cash flow from medical tourism and dividend-paying stocks with steady income. This strategy acts as a shield for portfolios while waiting for clarity on the U.S. CPI figures on Tuesday, which will indicate the next direction of global capital flows.