This Week’s Spotlight: (Week To 20th June 2025)

The Neil McCoy-Ward Newsletter

June 20, 2025

Opening Note…

Welcome back to this week’s newsletter!

Let’s get started… Because I know you feel what I feel… It’s as if time is running out. Perhaps you have a retirement plan, savings (which are being eroded by your Government & Central bank), or even a business that you’re focusing on. Maybe you want to spend more time investing and learning how to get a return on metals, or even the stock market. Whatever it is, your focus and your time is extremely valuable.

Perhaps it even feels like the system is rigged against you. Even more now than ever, they don’t want you to be wealthy, or even free. I’ll say it… The system is truly messed up, and not improving. Yet the good news is that, together we can beat it.

Next week I’ll be talking more about this, but this week…

I’ve secured you a great deal on 2 items that I ALWAYS have with me when hiking or travelling in the car that I highly recommend you get too. I could tell you about hundreds of items of course, but these TWO are what I consider to be the most important.

And remember, you still have time to get in on the Gold & Silver program (I have just finished recording the first course so that 90% off price will be ending shortly) - Modules 10 & 11 are out tomorrow!

🪙 Gold & Silver Investing Course: https://bit.ly/3SRympJ
🏆 Gold & Silver Advanced Course: https://bit.ly/3YXPJJa

Let's now break down the most relevant stories from around the globe...

Table of Contents

1. Weekly Spotlight

Israel-Iran: Tensions Spike, Markets on Edge

This week, the conflict between Israel and Iran took a dangerous new turn, sparking fears of a wider regional war—and sending oil markets into a frenzy.

Here’s what just happened:

  • Israel launched a targeted airstrike deep inside Iranian territory, reportedly hitting key military infrastructure. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli positions in the Golan Heights.

  • Both sides have ramped up rhetoric, with Iran vowing "severe consequences" and Israel placing its military on high alert across the region.

  • Major powers are calling for de-escalation, but neither Israel nor Iran appear ready to step back. The U.S appears to be gearing up for something and that adds to the fear.

  • In today’s 22 minute video, I go into more details on this with my analysis.

Why this matters:

  • The Middle East remains the world’s energy heartland. Any threat to oil production, transit routes, or regional stability can rattle global markets. It’s not just about the movement of oil, it’s also about the movement of goods…

  • Brent crude surged over 3% this week, hitting levels not seen since early 2024, as traders priced in supply risk from potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz which is a chokepoint for nearly 20% of global oil flows.

  • Investors are flocking to traditional safe havens like gold and the U.S. dollar, while equities in oil-importing nations have taken a hit.

Main P: This is a market-moving risk. While a full-scale war isn’t inevitable, even the threat of one is enough to stir oil volatility. If tensions persist or escalate, expect continued upward pressure on energy prices and more global market jitters.

2. Quick Takes

Here are the top stories shaping the week:

  • Tucker Confronts Cruz Over War Plans
    Tucker Carlson pressed Senator Ted Cruz on whether the U.S. should involve itself in Israel’s conflict with Iran. Cruz defended America’s alliance with Israel, but the exchange raised serious questions about the appetite for another war.

  • US will strike North Korea if South attacked with nukes
    South Korea’s spy chief nominee, Lee Jong-seok, said he believes the U.S. would launch a nuclear strike on North Korea if it attacked the South. He called it a core aspect of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

  • G7 Reroutes Supply Chains Away from China
    G7 leaders are pushing to “de-risk” their economies by shifting critical mineral supply chains away from China. The move signals a broader realignment in global trade and strategic resources.

  • Most Americans Oppose Entering Israel-Iran War
    New polling shows just 16% of Americans support U.S. involvement in a potential Israel-Iran war. Even among Trump voters, only 19% are in favour, pointing to overwhelming anti-war sentiment.

  • EU’s Nuclear Energy Ambitions Carry $280B Price Tag
    Europe says it needs at least $280 billion to scale nuclear energy production. And that’s just the starting figure—long-term costs could be far higher as energy transitions accelerate.

  • Putin Slams Germany’s Energy Policy
    Vladimir Putin says there’s “no rational explanation” for Germany’s decision to stop buying Russian gas. His comments highlight the continued tension between energy strategy and geopolitical loyalty.

  • Massive Oil Spill in Strait of Hormuz
    A collision between oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz caused a 10 square-kilometre oil spill, raising fresh concerns about the stability of global shipping routes in the region.

  • Powell Refuses Rate Cuts Despite Stagflation
    Fed Chair Jerome Powell held interest rates steady, despite clear signs of stagflation and fading economic momentum. Critics say the central bank is misreading the urgency of the moment.

  • Swiss National Bank Cuts rates to 0%

    The Swiss National Bank cut interest rates to 0% due to falling inflation, now at -0.1%. It lowered inflation forecasts to 0.2% for 2025 and 0.5% for 2026. A strong Swiss franc, which reduces import costs, is a key factor. While further cuts, possibly into negative territory, are expected, the SNB warns such moves carry risks and won't be made lightly. The next rate decision is in September.

  • UK suffers second highest fall in wealth of any major economy in 2024
    UK household wealth fell 3.6% in 2024, the second-largest drop among major economies, due to weak stock and housing markets and rising living costs. While median wealth rose, the wealthiest were hit hardest. In contrast, U.S. wealth surged 11% amid strong market gains. Over 10,000 UK millionaires left the country, driven by tax hikes and the end of non-dom status.

NEIL’S TAKEAWAYS:

In the United States
The Federal Reserve held rates steady again this week, despite the economic picture looking worse by the day. Core inflation’s proving stubborn, GDP growth is stalling and real wages aren’t keeping up with the cost of living. Yet Powell’s talking about “diminished uncertainty”—which only makes sense if you’re not paying the bills yourself. Another more troubling problem is the squeeze on the middle class. We are seeing credit card delinquencies rising and auto loan defaults are breaking records with household savings vanishing. The major risk here is the Fed waits too long to cut. Still clinging to old models, while real people are already feeling the crunch.

Research:
To stay ahead of the curve, watch credit conditions —tightening across banks often hints at rising defaults before they show up in the headlines. Then there’s the gap between retail sales and consumer sentiment. If spending is up, but confidence is in free-fall, chances are it’s all being fuelled by debt. Don’t ignore the yield curve either. It’s still one of the best recession signals we’ve got—especially the 2-year versus 10-year, and the 3-month against the 10-year spread. And when it comes to jobs, headline numbers can be misleading. Look deeper. Check labour force participation. Keep an eye on white-collar layoffs. Lastly, track what the smart money’s doing with real assets. Precious metals like gold tend to lead when trust in fiat starts to wobble.

Across Europe
For the first time in months, Europe’s markets are looking up. Bond spreads across Southern Europe—like Italy, Spain, and Greece—have tightened noticeably. That’s often a sign investors are feeling more confident about the bloc’s economy. Over in Germany, the mood’s improving too. The economic sentiment index has just hit its highest level in years. After two years of industrial decline, that could mark a real turning point. The EU signed off on a €1.5 billion defence investment fund—aimed squarely at boosting domestic arms production. New rules mean more of the supply chain will need to stay within Europe’s borders.

Prepare: Now’s a good time to start tracking Southern European bonds. If spreads keep tightening and the stability holds, there could be a long-term opportunity quietly forming. Take a close look at firms tied to the EU’s fresh defence procurement push. That supply chain shift could mean steady contracts and homegrown momentum. Keep an eye on German manufacturing orders and export data too. If sentiment is on the rise, real output might not be far behind. And one to watch closely is the ECB’s drive for financial and AI sovereignty by 2028. Expect targeted funding to flow into European fintech, AI research hubs, and pan-European infrastructure.

On the Global Stage
Global markets were a bit on edge this week. Investors kept a close eye on rising tensions in the Middle East. Oil prices are edging up, while safe-haven demand is nudging bond yields lower. And with uncertainty in the air, central banks around the world are hitting pause on rate cuts—for now. Interestingly, private equity firms are still sitting on over a trillion dollars in unallocated funds. That says caution—but it also points to a wave of dealmaking, if markets find their footing. Meanwhile, the OECD has just trimmed its global growth forecast. With the main culprits being trade friction from tariffs and weakening demand in key economies.

Research: Keep a close eye on the Fed’s tone and forward guidance. Any pivot towards rate cuts could reignite global risk appetite. Track how private equity firms begin to deploy their capital. With over a trillion dollars in reserve, a wave of deal activity may not be far off. Watch oil market forecasts closely—OPEC’s second-half outlook and any further disruptions in Middle Eastern shipping routes will shape global supply dynamics. Emerging market bond yields and capital flows are another reliable indicator of where global investors are starting to take on risk. And finally, don’t lose sight of the dollar’s strength. It touches everything—from commodity prices to global trade balances.

3. Important Video of The Week

🚨 Will President Trump Really Deploy U.S. Forces Against Iran?!
 Watch the Full Video On Youtube

4. Chart of the Week

The World’s Most Educated Countries

Western nations have the highest education rates, with Europe accounting for six of the top 10 countries by share of educated adults.

Ireland leads the list, with over half or 52% of its population aged 25–64 holding a university degree or more. Switzerland and Singapore follow closely behind, at 46% and 45%, respectively.

Meanwhile, the United States stands out with a high share (40%) of educated population and the third-highest number of educated people, at over 78 million.

India and China, the world’s two most populous countries, have the lowest proportion of educated people in the dataset. However, they have the highest volume of degree-holders among all other countries due to their population sizes.

5. Market Overview

Global markets moved cautiously this week as investors weighed mixed economic signals and upcoming central bank decisions. In the U.S., the S&P 500 traded within a narrow band, showing signs of consolidation after recent highs. The FTSE 100 in the U.K. briefly climbed above 8,900 before slipping amid political uncertainty. Canada’s TSX Composite remained supported by strength in mining and energy stocks, while Australia’s ASX 200 hovered near a four-month high, bolstered by resource sector resilience.

Overall, markets showed restraint, with most indices trading sideways as the next macroeconomic catalysts loom.

🇺🇸 United States – S&P 500

  • High: 6050.29 (June 16)

  • Low: 5975.81 (June 17)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom – FTSE 100

  • High: 8902.40 (June 16)

  • Low: 8789.14 (June 20)

🇨🇦 Canada – TSX Composite

  • High: 26678.12 (June 16)

  • Low: 26466.12 (June 19)

🇦🇺 Australia – ASX 200

  • High: 8570.60 (June 16)

  • Low: 8464.60 (June 20)

Cryptocurrency:

Trend:
The crypto market showed resilience this week, with Bitcoin holding firmly above $100K, maintaining investor confidence in its long-term value. Ethereum hovered around the $2,500–$2,600 range, while Solana and Cardano saw pullbacks of over 10%, indicating some risk-off behaviour in altcoins. Despite the dip, there’s been renewed interest in layer-1 protocols, with capital rotating toward platforms like Avalanche and Chainlink. Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC remained stable, as expected. Speculative tokens like Dogecoin and TRON remained volatile, underperforming broader market movements.

  • Bitcoin (BTC):
    Up overall this week, with a 1.2% increase over the last 7 days. The price hovered around $104K as investor sentiment cooled following recent rallies.

  • Ethereum (ETH):
    Increased 1.0% this week, traders have been trimming their positions recently ahead of upcoming network updates.

  • XRP:
    Now up 1.8%, remaining under pressure as regulatory uncertainty and low volume continue to weigh on momentum.

  • BNB:
    Declined 0.9%, reflecting cautious sentiment across centralized exchange tokens.

  • Cardano (ADA):
    Not listed in top 10 this week, having dropped 5.3%

  • Solana (SOL):
    Down 1.6%. High beta and recent volatility put it in a much more vulnerable position.

Metals Market:

Overall Trend: Gold is consolidating near highs and silver is tracking it closely with stronger swings. Both metals remain strong hedges in this uncertain environment.

Gold Silver Ratio:

Gold:

Gold held its ground this week. After hitting a multi-week high, prices eased slightly (1%) as traders locked in some profits. Even so, demand stayed strong, driven by ongoing global tensions and growing expectations of rate cuts ahead. The overall trend remains bullish with solid support firmly in place.

Silver:

Silver mirrored gold’s movement but with sharper volatility. While silver pulled back slightly after a strong start to the week, investor interest remains high.

Neil’s Summary: Markets are uncertain. The S&P 500 is hovering near record highs, but it’s not moving with any real conviction. The same thing is happening in the UK and Canada—stocks are holding up, but mostly because energy and commodities are doing the heavy lifting. And in Australia, the market’s been surprisingly strong, but inflation and currency pressures are starting to creep in under the surface.

Over in crypto, it’s a different story. Bitcoin and Ethereum are both down, and even high-flyers like Solana and Dogecoin got hit hard. It doesn’t look like a panic, but it does look like the momentum has stalled.

Metals, though… that’s where things get interesting. Gold is holding strong near recent highs. Silver’s been more volatile, but it’s still pushing upward. When you see that kind of quiet strength in gold and silver, it usually means smart money is getting ready for something.

It’s important to focus on stability. Build cashflow, hold real assets, and get yourself positioned before things start to shift. Because they will.

Your best possible chance to go from beginner to pro metals investor is still on the table! More modules are being released, and the mind-blowing advanced course interviews are being released within weeks! Grab your 90% off deal while you can!

  1. Gold & Silver Mastery Bundle: 91% Off - CLICK HERE (Now Including An Affordable 5-Month Payment Plan)

  2. Gold & Silver Investing Course: 90% Off - CLICK HERE

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6. Faith & Success

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost…?” — Luke 14:28 (NIV)

Counting the cost includes money, effort, discipline, and time. Jesus was pointing to the deeper truth that every worthwhile pursuit demands forethought and sacrifice (including following him). Even more specific, he was making a point on ‘wisdom’ - or having the wisdom to PLAN first…

This also applies perfectly to your life. Success doesn’t and won’t come by accident. It comes when we slow down, get honest about the road ahead, and prepare for it spiritually, mentally, and financially. We have to PLAN to be successful.

Whatever tower you’re building, whether it’s your family, your business, or your legacy, take the time to plan it well. That’s faith in action.

Closing Thoughts 💬

Beyond peace, I’m praying for positivity. If you can rise above and stay mentally positive, even the small gestures will make the world a better place. That is what we need right now.

It doesn’t matter which Country you live in, we as humans are inherently very similar in our goals. We want to give our families a better life & achieve success & FREEDOM.

Stay Informed, Stay Empowered! Stay Blessed!

See you next time,

Your Friend,

Neil,

DISCLAIMER
This newsletter is 100% FREE & is designed to help your thinking, not direct it. These newsletters shall NOT be construed as tax, legal, or financial advice and may be outdated or inaccurate; all decisions made as a result of this information are yours alone.

Trading/Liability: Neil McCoy-Ward operates/trades under a private Ltd company within the Isle Of Man.