Some parts of Asia markets did not do well today, while Europe and some other parts of Asia did better. The price of gold went up a lot. The US market closed before these changes happened. Read from source...

- The article does not provide a clear thesis or main argument, making it difficult to follow and understand the purpose of the text. It seems to be a collection of random facts and figures about different markets around the world, without any coherent connection or analysis.
- The article uses vague and ambiguous terms such as "Asia Markets Ex-China" and "Europe Gains", which do not explain what they mean or how they are measured. This creates confusion for the reader who might wonder why China is excluded from Asia and what criteria is used to define Europe's gains.
- The article focuses too much on numerical data, such as gold prices, stock market indices, and sector performances, without providing any context or explanation of how they relate to each other or the broader economic situation. This makes it hard for the reader to grasp the significance or implications of these numbers.
- The article contains emotional language and tone, such as "decline", "surpasses", and "slid", which convey a sense of drama and urgency that might not be justified by the actual facts. This creates a biased impression of the market trends and events, rather than an objective and balanced analysis.
- The article lacks any personal perspective or insight from the author, who seems to be merely reporting on the existing information without adding any value or commentary. This makes it dull and uninteresting for the reader who might want to learn more about the topic or hear different opinions.

Invest in gold (GLD ETF) for hedging purposes and long-term growth potential. Gold prices have surpassed $2,400 per ounce, which is a positive sign for the precious metal's appeal as a safe haven asset. The global economic uncertainty due to the pandemic and geopolitical tensions could continue to support gold's value in the coming months. However, there is also a risk of inflation and rising interest rates that could weigh on gold prices. Therefore, investors should monitor the Fed's policy decisions and other central banks closely for any changes that might affect gold's performance.
Invest in European stocks (VGK ETF) for diversification purposes and potential gains. The European markets have outperformed the Asian ex-China markets, which indicates a positive sentiment among investors towards the region's economic recovery and corporate earnings prospects. Additionally, the European Union's vaccination campaign is progressing faster than in other parts of the world, which could boost consumer spending and business activity in the region. However, there are also risks associated with the Brexit negotiations, the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, and possible fiscal austerity measures that could weigh on European stocks. Therefore, investors should be cautious about selecting individual stocks and sectors within the European market and monitor the political and public health developments closely.
Invest in US small cap stocks (IWM ETF) for growth potential and value opportunities. The US small cap stocks have underperformed the larger cap counterparts, which presents an opportunity for investors to buy into companies with higher growth prospects at lower valuations. The US economy is expected to recover faster than other major economies due to the massive stimulus package, the vaccination rollout, and the reopening of businesses. However, there are also risks associated with the inflation expectations, the rise in bond yields, and the potential regulatory changes that could affect the small cap sector. Therefore, investors should be selective about their choice of stocks and sectors within the US small cap market and consider the impact of these factors on their performance.