Real Assets
How Gold Beats Uncertainty, in 7 Charts
The following content is sponsored by the Reagan Gold Group
The U.S. economy may not be as strong as it previously was. GDP growth in 2023 was 2.5% compared to 5.8% in 2021. High levels of public debt and geopolitical tensions have dissuaded other nations from using the dollar, which could create inflationary pressure on Americans. Could investing in gold provide the solution?
This charticle, sponsored by the Reagan Gold Group, will explore the U.S. economic climate and how gold can help Americans protect their investments.
#1: High Levels of Public Debt
The U.S. public deficit has grown considerably over the last decade. According to the U.S. Treasury, as of September 30th, 2024, total public debt stood at $35,464,673,929,172–if called in, it would be as every U.S. citizen would have to pay over $100,000.
High levels of public debt can negatively affect the U.S. economy. Interest payments can divert funds from where needed and reduce economic growth. However, public debt alone does not break an economy.
For example, Japan’s sovereign debt is more than 250% of GDP, but as much of the debt is held by Japan’s central bank, its robust and asset-focused balance sheet mitigates much of the potential instability.
#2: Less U.S. Dollars in International Systems
Another global trend that could impact the U.S. economy has slowly emerged since World War II–the dollar has lessened its circulation among international markets. The IMF reports that global FX reserves held in USD have notably declined, dropping from 71% in 2000 to 58% in 2023.
Geopolitical tensions have contributed to fewer U.S. dollars flowing through the global banking and exchange systems. This reduction in demand for U.S. dollars impacts the nation’s overall economic influence globally, potentially creating instability in other areas.
#3: Subpar Returns for U.S. Pension Funds
The performance of the largest pension funds in the U.S. over the last five years shows slightly depressed returns, especially when compared to gold.
Inflation and the overall reduction in the dollar’s economic power create a situation where, as pressure mounts, retirement payments may not stretch as far as retirees hope. This situation has led to many, including central banks, seeking insurance.
Could investing in gold be that insurance?
#4: Rising Gold Spot Prices
Despite financial crises, rising geo-political tensions, and a global pandemic, gold performance over the last 20 years has been strong, with its spot price growing aggressively:
Historically, gold has held its value against inflation, and its continued growth over the years has made it a sound investment in times of turmoil. So, considering the current economic climate, it’s no surprise that many investors are turning to gold.
#5: Increasing Demand from Central Banks
As if underlining the importance of gold, central banks have also increased their gold purchases by over 30% over the last five years.
When the World Gold Council asked central bankers, “How relevant are the following factors in your organization’s decision to hold gold?” The most common, highly relevant answers were that gold has no default risk, its performance in crises, and its value as a hedge against inflation, at 49%, 47%, and 42%, respectively.
#6: The Growth of Gold
When compared against other assets, gold’s current performance shows that it is more than just a hedge against inflation over the long term:
Gold’s recent performance has eclipsed many other assets over the long and short term, with its price growing at a higher rate than even the Emerging Markets Index.
#7: Gold Returns vs. Other Assets
In fact, gold was one of the better-performing overall assets between 2023 and 2024, returning nearly 14%.
Indeed, keeping to its history of consistency, investing in gold has provided percentage returns above other lauded long-term assets such as bonds.
A Golden Opportunity
The U.S. economy may not be what it was, with economic and geopolitical turmoil creating inflationary stresses that pressure lower-performing assets such as retirement funds.
Institutional and personal investors want to protect their wealth, and physical gold has proven to be one of the best hedges against uncertainty.
Learn more about how gold can protect your investments.
Real Assets
How Much Gold is in Fort Knox?
The United States Bullion Depository holds more than half of the Treasury’s $428B in gold reserves.
How Much Gold Is in Fort Knox?
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to visit Fort Knox “to make sure the gold is there.”
Officially, the United States Bullion Depository (commonly known as Fort Knox) holds over half of the Treasury’s $428 billion gold reserves.
In this graphic, we put that amount into perspective by comparing Fort Knox’s reserves with central bank gold reserves worldwide. The data comes from the U.S. Mint and the World Gold Council. For illustrative purposes, we considered a pallet of 1,190 gold bars (400 troy ounces each) weighing approximately 14.8 tonnes.
What Is Fort Knox?
Located in Kentucky, Fort Knox is a U.S. Army installation that serves as the primary storage site for America’s gold reserves. The facility was established in the 1930s to protect gold from potential foreign attacks.
The first gold shipment arrived in 1937 via U.S. Mail from the Philadelphia Mint and the New York Assay Office. During World War II, Fort Knox safeguarded important U.S. documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It has also housed international treasures, such as the Magna Carta and the crown, sword, scepter, orb, and cape of St. Stephen, King of Hungary, before they were returned in 1978.
Currently, it holds 4,175 tonnes of gold, equivalent to nearly half of China’s gold reserves and four times the Swiss central bank’s reserves.
| Reserves | Gold (Tonnes) |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 U.S. Reserves | 8,133 |
| 🏛️ Fort Knox | 4,175 |
| 🇨🇳 China | 2,280 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 846 |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 1,040 |
| 🇮🇳 India | 876 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 104 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 220 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 130 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | 120 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 235 |
Only small samples have been removed for purity testing during audits; no major transfers have occurred for years.
Gold Bar Specifications
- Size: 7 inches × 3 5/8 inches × 1 3/4 inches
- Weight: 400 ounces (27.5 pounds)
Extreme Security
Only a select few know the full security procedures, and no single person knows how to fully open the vault.
In 1974, a group of journalists and a Congressional delegation were allowed inside—marking the first official visit since Fort Knox’s creation. Previously, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only person other than authorized personnel to access the vaults.
In 2017, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, and several Congressional representatives became the second group to visit the vault.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
If gold was shared equally, how much would you get? Check out this graphic to find out.
Real Assets
Charted: Top Suppliers of Aluminum and Steel to the U.S.
President Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports.
Charted: Top U.S. Suppliers of Aluminum and Steel
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, marking one of the most discussed measures of his first month back in the White House.
But which countries are most affected by these tariffs?
This map illustrates the top suppliers of aluminum and steel to the United States in 2024. The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau. Aluminum includes unwrought aluminum, plates, sheets, and strips; bars, rods, and profiles; foil; wire; pipes and tubes; castings and forgings; and tube or pipe fittings.
Canada: The Largest Partner
Canada is by far the top supplier of both steel and aluminum to the United States. The neighboring country exported $9.4 billion worth of aluminum to the U.S. in 2024, significantly ahead of the second-largest exporter, the European Union, which exported $1.5 billion.
Canada also exported $7.1 billion worth of steel last year, compared to $7 billion from the European Union.
| Country | Steel Imports (USD) | Aluminum Imports (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $7.1B | $9.4B |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $3.5B | $397M |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $3.0B | - |
| 🇨🇳 China | $799M | $809M |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | $1.3B | - |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $2.9B | $781M |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $1.9B | $318M |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $1.7B | - |
| 🇮🇳 India | $489M | $445M |
| 🇪🇺 European Union | $7B | $1.5B |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | - | $917M |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | - | $535M |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | - | $468M |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | - | $271M |
| 🇬🇧 UK | $440M | - |
Mexico, South Korea, and Brazil are also among the top suppliers of steel to the United States. Meanwhile, the country imports aluminum from other key partners, including China, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Bahrain, and Argentina.
A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that the U.S. produces less than 2% of the world’s primary aluminum.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed this graphic, be sure to check out this chart illustrating the GDP impact of Trump’s tariffs on China.
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