As the November presidential election approaches, the economy shows complex and sometimes contradictory signals. While the job market continues to show signs of moderation, several major companies have announced new layoffs, with some citing the impact of AI. Despite cooling inflation, gold (GC=F) prices have surged to record highs.

Additionally, the Federal Reserve has initiated what many expect to be an extended period of interest rate cuts. While investors have welcomed this move, some experts caution that the Fed's actions may be signaling a significant economic slowdown in 2025.

On today's Opening Bid, Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi sits down with economist Judy Shelton, who former President Trump nominated to join the Federal Reserve board in 2020. Shelton argues that the Fed has put itself in a challenging position by beginning to cut interest rates at this juncture. She shares her concerns about the post-election economic landscape and offers her perspective on the future trajectory of gold prices.