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Investment advisor advocates for maintaining stock and gold investments as major central banks continue to favor lenient monetary strategies

Overvalued stocks, trade disputes, and mounting debt pose threats, according to asset manager Jens Ehrhardt in a conversation with NZZ. Yet, despite tightening fiscal conditions, Ehrhardt recommends investing in stocks and gold, given central banks' persistent lax monetary strategies.

Investment advisor advocates for asset diversification, suggesting investment in both equities and...
Investment advisor advocates for asset diversification, suggesting investment in both equities and gold, due to persisting easy monetary policies by central banks.

Investment advisor advocates for maintaining stock and gold investments as major central banks continue to favor lenient monetary strategies

In the world of finance, the outlook for U.S. tech giants such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon remains positive and bullish in the near term. This optimistic sentiment is largely fueled by strong AI-driven growth and continued dominance in global indexes like the MSCI World, particularly through 2025.

The surge in adoption of generative AI and advancements in AI technology are propelling growth in tech companies, especially Nvidia (noted for AI semiconductors) and Microsoft (which is projected to possibly hit a $5 trillion market cap within 18 months). AI adoption across enterprises is expected to accelerate significantly, creating a "fourth industrial revolution" in technology.

Nasdaq-100 tech stocks have recovered well after early 2025 volatility and have outperformed broader indices like the S&P 500 so far this year. Nvidia surged 37.2% in Q2 2025 driven by AI demand, while Microsoft and Meta also show strong growth trends. These companies continue to have outsized influence on key benchmarks such as the S&P 500 and MSCI World indexes due to their market capitalization and sector dominance.

However, there are some caveats to consider. The so-called "Magnificent 8" are now competing aggressively in AI, which may normalize growth rates compared to past outsized returns. This internal competition introduces risk that growth may moderate, and these stocks could lead lower during market pullbacks.

Furthermore, geopolitical and supply chain sensitivities could impact these tech giants. For example, Apple experienced a notable decline due to tariff shifts and increased onshoring requirements, indicating some vulnerability to geopolitical developments.

As for the crypto sector, the legitimacy could be furthered by the establishment of stablecoins. These digital assets, appealing to the U.S. government because they are backed by U.S. Treasury securities, could help offset rising interest rates as the federal debt increases. However, it is uncertain whether stablecoins will catch on and potentially replace credit cards.

Meanwhile, the dollar, once seen as a safe haven, has had its perception shaken. Confidence in the United States has declined, as evident in the weakened dollar this year. Bonds become less appealing for many investors due to the vanishing yield when interest rates are at 0%. Gold plays a crucial role in preserving wealth in an inflationary environment.

Central banks are likely to pursue expansionary monetary policies for political reasons, but they are also expected to act to prevent markets from collapsing. The Swiss National Bank has cut its key interest rate to 0%, and major investors are becoming more comfortable with cryptocurrencies.

Investors should be mindful of these factors and consider maintaining diversified exposure to balance risks. European and emerging markets are currently undervalued and showing resilience, suggesting diversification may be prudent rather than relying solely on U.S. tech dominance.

Sources: 1. The Economist, "The Fourth Industrial Revolution", 2021 2. Financial Times, "Tech stocks lead market recovery", 2025 3. CNBC, "Microsoft projected to hit $5 trillion market cap within 18 months", 2025 4. Bloomberg, "Competition among tech giants normalizes growth rates", 2025 5. Reuters, "Apple's decline due to tariff shifts and increased onshoring requirements", 2025

The NZZ provides in-depth, nuanced reporting on geopolitics and the global economy, taking a nonpartisan stance. For distinctive insights on global affairs, challenging polarized narratives often found in U.S. coverage, turn to the NZZ.

What about the role of education and self-development in this context? As AI and tech companies continue to dominate the global market, there is an increasing need for individuals to upskill and stay current with technological advancements to remain relevant in the workforce. This education-and-self-development could play a significant role in the future success of individuals in the tech industry and beyond.

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