As much as I like living in the future it is nice to have someone living a little further in the future and sending messages back in time to me.

This is from a conversation with Microsoft Copilot:

Joe: Why is the price of gold going up?

Copilot:

The recent surge in gold prices has been influenced by several factors. Let’s explore them:

1. Interest Rates and Inflation:
   • The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates to combat inflation. However, the latest inflation data suggests progress in controlling prices.
   • Investors now anticipate that the Fed will pause rate hikes and potentially pivot to rate cuts sooner than expected.
   • Gold, considered an alternative universal currency, tends to have a negative correlation to interest rates. As rates drop, gold prices rise.
   • Additionally, gold serves as a safe haven during economic uncertainty and potential stock market sell-offs.
2. Banking Crisis and Credit Market Tightening:
   • An unexpected banking crisis in March tightened the credit market, potentially cooling the economy and slowing inflation.
   • Investors are turning to gold as a defensive play against potential economic downturns.
3. U.S. Dollar Weakness:
   • Gold is typically priced in dollars. When the dollar weakens, investors pay more for the same amount of gold.
   • Psychological factors, including gold’s intrinsic value and unique physical properties, contribute to this negative correlation with the U.S. dollar.
4. Geopolitical Tensions:
   • Global geopolitical tensions, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict, have sparked concerns.
   • Investors view gold as an inflation hedge and a safe haven during times of political instability.

In summary, gold’s recent rally is influenced by interest rates, economic uncertainties, and its role as a reliable store of value

Joe: Tell me about the banking crisis you reference in item 2.

Copilot:

Certainly! The banking crisis I mentioned in item 2 refers to a recent event that raised concerns about the stability of the U.S. banking system. Here are the details:

• Date: March 11, 2024
• Program: Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP)
• Context: The BTFP was initiated in response to the failures of several regional banks, including Signature, Silvergate, and Silicon Valley Bank.
• Reason for Failures:
  • These banks faced significant challenges due to customers withdrawing deposits en masse.
  • Many of these customers were tech or crypto businesses needing funds to cover losses.
  • Additionally, better savings rates were available elsewhere, prompting deposit withdrawals.
  • The banks’ profitability was further impacted by raised interest rates, which reduced the value of their government bond holdings.
• Silicon Valley Bank’s Collapse:
  • On March 10, 2024, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed after being forced to sell bonds at a loss.
  • This triggered a bank run, as the bank announced the need to raise capital.
• Contagion Concerns:
  • Investors feared that other banks might also fail, given similar exposure to customer withdrawals and underwater bond portfolios.
  • The collapse of Credit Suisse heightened anxieties, demonstrating the potential for contagion.
• The BTFP Solution:
  • The Federal Reserve’s BTFP allowed U.S. banks to borrow from the central bank using their bonds as collateral.
  • This provided additional funding and priced the bonds at their original face value (not market value), effectively bolstering banks’ balance sheets.
  • Only one more bank, San Francisco’s First Republic Bank, has failed since then.
• Closure of BTFP:
  • As the BTFP ends, it’s unlikely to lead to more bank collapses.
  • Banks have had a year to adjust to higher interest rates, and they can still borrow from the Fed through another facility called the discount window.

Joe: I think you have the date wrong on the collapse of the Silcon Valley Bank. Wasn’t it a year ago rather than this coming Sunday?

Copilot:

You are absolutely correct, and I appreciate your attention to detail! The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) actually occurred on March 10, 2023, which is almost a year ago. It marked the third-largest bank failure in United States history and was the largest since the 2007–2008 financial crisis. Alongside SVB, two other banks—Silvergate Bank and Signature Bank—also faced similar challenges and failed during that period ¹².

Thank you for pointing out the discrepancy, and I apologize for any confusion. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!

Joe: Thank you.

Copilot: You’re welcome! If you have any more questions or need assistance, feel free to ask. Have a great day!

<Heavy sigh> So it is just a mixed up chat bot rather than a stray wormhole connected to a few days into the future.