In Today’s Issue

• Americans are drowning in $18.8T of household debt — and financial stress isn't letting up

• Peter Schiff says the dollar's glory days are over as the US Dollar Index slips below 98

• Our take on what both mean for your retirement savings

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^{*According to Masterworks data. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Investing involves risk. See important disclosures at masterworks.com/cd}

Top Financial and Economic News

Americans are under intense financial stress as household debt reaches $18.8T

American household debt has hit $18.8 trillion, and financial stress isn't letting up. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling's Financial Stress Forecast sits at 6.6 out of 10 — nearly double the post-pandemic low of 3.5 — and is expected to climb higher. Only 63% of Americans can cover a $400 emergency. Inflation remains punishing: ground beef up 19%, coffee up 29%, gas up 28%, eggs still 54% above pre-pandemic prices. The verdict: Americans aren't recovering. They're adapting to a painful new normal.

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OUR TAKE

$18.8 trillion in household debt. Only 63% of Americans can cover a $400 emergency. This isn't a rough patch — it's the new normal. While the government keeps printing and everyday costs keep climbing, the dollar buys less every year.

Peter Schiff warns ‘the dollar’s glory days are over’ as US Dollar Index slips below 98

The US Dollar Index has dropped below 98, failing to hold even a modest safe-haven rally during recent Iran-related tensions — a sign, according to economist Peter Schiff, that the dollar's dominance is fading. Schiff warns that BRICS nations are increasingly holding gold over dollars, war costs could top $1 trillion, and a weakening dollar means higher oil prices, rising interest rates, and accelerating inflation. His bottom line: de-dollarization is no longer a theory — it's happening now.

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OUR TAKE

The dollar couldn't even hold a war rally. When global crises no longer send investors fleeing to the dollar, the world is sending a clear message — and smart money is already listening. Central banks are stacking gold. BRICS nations are dumping US debt.

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