Invest In Anything But The S&P 500…

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Oct 15, 2025

Doug Hagren, a keen market commentator and frequent contributor, dives into why investors should steer clear of the S&P 500 right now. He discusses the impressive performance of precious metals like gold and silver, and the caution needed as recent market breakouts show signs of weakness. The conversation highlights the benefits of global diversification, as European and emerging markets outperform the U.S. Amid rising gold prices linked to economic uncertainty, Doug emphasizes the importance of adapting investment strategies to changing market trends.

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ANECDOTE

Camping Cold Snap And Booties

Kirk describes a dramatic temperature drop and switching on a chili pad while camping.
Doug jokes about buying down booties after cold, foggy camp nights to keep his feet warm.

ADVICE

Trim Positions After Rapid Rallies

Avoid holding overextended positions after big monthly gains and tighten risk controls.
Reduce leverage and take profits after rapid runs to avoid getting 'soured' by a breakout failure.

INSIGHT

Gold's Rise Has Multiple Possible Drivers

Gold's rally lacks a single clear driver and many plausible explanations can be simultaneously true.
Central bank buying and concentrated buyers may both be contributing to the gold run.

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Right now, you should invest in anything but the S&P 500... Today we talk about what you should invest in instead. We focus was on market dynamics, particularly the strong performance of precious metals like gold and silver, the technical risks of recent market breakouts, and the caution needed after periods of rapid gains. We examine broader market trends, highlighting the relatively stronger performance of European and emerging market stocks versus the U.S., the importance of diversification, and more.

We discuss...

Precious metals, especially gold and silver, have been performing strongly, but recent market breakouts are showing signs of weakness, signaling caution for over-leveraged investors.
September was a high-gain month, leading many investors to become overextended, with earnings season potentially introducing volatility.
The precise reasons for gold's rise are unclear, though factors like central bank purchases and possible stablecoin-backed demand may contribute.
Gold acts as a fear indicator rather than a production-based asset, with rising prices reflecting concerns over fiat currency and economic uncertainty.
Historical comparisons show current gold-to-oil ratios are anomalous, echoing aspects of the 1970s stagflation period while oil prices remain low.
U.S. stock market gains are outpaced by European and emerging markets this year, emphasizing the importance of global diversification.
Average S&P 500 returns differ from actual realized returns due to volatility and sequence-of-returns risk, affecting long-term retirement planning.
Electricity prices have surged in most U.S. states, highlighting structural energy supply challenges and rising costs for consumers.
AI expansion is creating unprecedented energy demand, potentially driving electricity prices higher and stressing grid capacity.
Nuclear energy development is critical to meet growing energy needs, yet decades of poor policy and infrastructure deficiencies hinder progress.
Media narratives on energy and investment trends can be manipulated, requiring investors to critically evaluate information.
Historical tech and AI boom comparisons suggest caution, as overhyped markets with high valuations may lead to significant losses.
Investors should manage risk carefully, use first-principles thinking, and avoid greed-driven overexposure to emerging trends like AI.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/invest-in-anything-but-755