Record COMEX Inflows as Gold Navigates Market Uncertainty
The precious metals market is experiencing significant shifts across multiple fronts. US gold jewelry demand is heading for a fourth consecutive year of decline, highlighted by Signet Jewelers’ 12% Q4 sales drop, reflecting a broader trend of consumers shifting to lower-carat gold products amid high prices. Global jewelry demand remains below 2021 levels, down 10% […]
Mortgage Rates Break Six-Week Climb as Treasury Yields Ease
US mortgage rates experienced their first decline in six weeks, falling 7 basis points to 7.02%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest data. The decrease has helped sustain home purchase applications at their highest level in a year, with the purchase index rising 0.6%. The drop in rates mirrors falling Treasury yields, sparked by […]
Allianz: Traditional Gold Drivers Give Way to New Forces
Gold’s traditional market drivers are evolving, with fiscal concerns and geopolitical risks replacing historical factors like US dollar weakness and real yields. The precious metal has demonstrated remarkable strength, outperforming other major asset classes since late 2022, despite economic conditions that typically favor riskier assets. Looking ahead to 2025, gold’s outlook remains positive, driven by […]
Gold Rises Above $2,750 as Trump's Tariffs Spark Inflation Fears
Gold prices experienced a dramatic surge, jumping nearly 2% on Tuesday and extending gains to $2,750 per ounce following Donald Trump’s first day back in office. The precious metal’s rally was fueled by the new president’s signing of over 200 executive orders, particularly those related to tariffs, which markets fear could reignite inflation. This breakthrough […]
JPMorgan Execs Bullish on US Economy Despite Inflation Concerns
At the 2025 Davos forum, JPMorgan’s top executives struck an optimistic tone about the US economic outlook, while maintaining a careful eye on inflation risks. President Daniel Pinto expressed confidence in the current economic cycle’s sustainability, though he emphasized that inflation remains a potential concern. This positive outlook was reinforced by Filippo Gori, head of […]
Ocean Rates Could Fall As Houthis Say They Will End Red Sea Attacks
Ocean Rates Could Fall As Houthis Say They Will End Red Sea Attacks By Stuart Chirls of FreightWaves Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they will cease attacks on Israel and on merchant shipping in the Red Sea as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect Sunday. “If Israel stops the aggression in Gaza, and if […]
China Holds Rates Steady as Yuan Pressure Constrains Policy Options
China has maintained its benchmark lending rates for the third straight month, keeping the one-year loan prime rate at 3.1% and the five-year rate at 3.6%. Despite plans for “appropriately loose” monetary policy in 2025, the weakening yuan is limiting Beijing’s ability to implement stimulus measures. This cautious approach comes even as the country achieved […]
Trump's Currency Manipulation Warning Rattles Global Markets
Global markets were jolted on Trump’s first day in office by a new administration fact sheet calling for federal agencies to address currency manipulation by other nations. The move comes at a time when the dollar’s strength, driven by high US interest rates and robust growth, already dominates the $7.5 trillion daily foreign exchange market. […]
Deadly Clash at Ghana Gold Mine Leaves Seven Dead, Sparks Investigation
A fatal confrontation at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi gold mine in Ghana has resulted in multiple deaths and sparked controversy over the circumstances. According to the military, seven illegal miners were killed during a shootout after approximately 60 people carrying locally manufactured rifles breached the mine’s security fence and fired on a military patrol. However, Kofi […]
Inside Zurich's Secret Gold Vaults: Where the Ultra-Wealthy Store Their Billions
Deep beneath Zurich airport lies a testament to gold’s enduring allure: a 350-square-meter high-security vault where the ultra-wealthy store their precious metals. Managed by Egon von Greyerz, these facilities require minimum investments of $400,000 for Zurich or Singapore storage, and $5 million for their Swiss Alps location. This exclusive world of gold storage reflects a […]