May 15th, the latest MLIV Pulse survey showed that when asked what assets they would buy to hedge their risks if the government hit the debt ceiling and failed to meet its duties, the vast majority of respondents chose gold. Among them, European investors are more inclined to choose gold than US/Canadian investors. US/Canadian investors surveyed were almost twice as likely (18%) to choose US Treasuries than European investors.

Respondents have little difference in their opinions on whether U.S. debt will rise (46%) or fall (54%) after the debt crisis. Overall, nearly 70% of respondents believe the dollar will fall within a month.