Market Performance: December 07, 2023.

Shares fell across Asia following declines on Wall Street, pressured by weak oil prices and concerns about China’s fiscal health. Treasuries slid after rallying on fresh signs of US labor market softness.

Equities were lower from Hong Kong to mainland China and Australia. That followed a third daily decline for the S&P 500, its longest stretch of losses since October. US futures were mostly steady.

GitLab jumped 11.5% after the open-source software development platform beat quarterly financial expectations and issued strong guidance for the current quarter. Nio climbed 1.5% after the Chinese electric vehicle maker reported narrowing losses in the third quarter.

5 simple ways to invest in gold as prices surge

Gold has always been a go-to investment for investors seeking stability and a hedge against inflation — and that's especially true during times of economic uncertainty, much like what we're experiencing right now. Part of the draw is that gold offers a wide range of unique benefits to investors, from its steady, long-term historical price growth to its role in investment portfolio diversification. Those types of features, in turn, make it a good addition to nearly any portfolio.

And, with gold prices now surging — they hit a record high of $2,100 on December 4 — many would-be investors are now turning to this precious metal as a way to diversify their portfolios and protect their wealth. But investing in gold can be much different than buying stocks or putting money into real estate, and the gold market can be a little tricky to navigate if you aren't familiar with it.

But the good news is that it doesn't have to be. There are lots of simple ways for investors to capitalize on the gold rush and incorporate this valuable asset into their investment strategy.

A beginner's guide to the 70-20-10 budgeting rule

Budgeting is a great way to gain control over your income. But with seemingly endless ways to divide your money, it can be helpful to follow one of the many budgeting guidelines out there. "It doesn't have to be a bajillion categories, and really time consuming. There are ways to make this actually digestible and easier," says Dani Pascarella, CFP® professional and the founder of OneEleven Financial Wellness.

A newer plan among these guidelines is the 70-20-10 budget, which can act as a foundation for a more detailed budget down the line. Here's everything you need to know to determine if this plan is the right fit for you.

Alternative Investing