Gold and Silver Industry & Investing News
Today’s gold and silver market news, curated from the best of GoldSilver's team and around the web. Everything precious metals investors need to know including updates on big price swings, macro analysis, and breaking stories. Check back often or subscribe to get the highlights in your inbox. Monitor live spot prices on our charts page.
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Global Recession Unlikely, Says IMF's Top Economist
In a recent interview with CNBC, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the International Monetary Fund's economic counselor, assessed the risk of a global recession as "fairly minimal." He highlighted several positive factors, such as robust economic performance in the U.S. and various emerging markets, and a quicker-than-anticipated decrease in inflation, despite some growth sluggishness in Europe. However, he cautioned that increasing tensions in the Middle East could pose risks to global economic stability.
READ MOREChina's Middle Class and Youth Turn to Gold as Traditional Markets Lose Shine
The article highlights the intense activity in China's gold markets, particularly at the Hualin International Jewelry Market in Guangzhou, amid a surge in gold prices. As traditional investment options like stocks, property, and banking lose their appeal due to increased uncertainty, gold has become a popular safe haven for investors. This shift has brought an influx of buyers, including many from China's middle class and younger demographics, and has led to a significant rise in the number of gold stores within the market.
READ MOREPrecious Metals on a Winning Streak: Time for a Hard Money Heat Check
In basketball, a "heat check" is when a player, emboldened by a series of successful shots, opts for a challenging attempt to gauge the persistence of their scoring spree. Today, we'll do our own financial "heat check" in the precious metals market, to assess whether the recent upward trend is set to continue.
READ MOREDespite Economic Headwinds, Gold Continues Its Surprising Uptrend
Gold prices have remained stable near record highs despite the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's recent remarks suggesting that interest rates may be maintained for a prolonged period. This year, gold has appreciated by about 15%, bolstered by safe-haven demands due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine. Even though rising Treasury yields and a stronger dollar typically undermine gold's attractiveness, the metal has continued its upward trend, surprising many observers. This resilience is supported by significant central bank purchases and growing demand from Chinese consumers. As of the latest trading session in London, spot gold was priced at $2,382.40 per ounce, nearing its peak of $2,431.52.
READ MOREGold Nears Record Highs Despite Fed's Hawkish Stance on Rates
Gold prices have held steady near record levels this year, gaining about 15% amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine. Despite a recent statement by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicating that interest rates might remain higher for an extended period due to persistent inflation, gold continues to attract safe-haven investments. This resilience comes even as Treasury yields and the dollar have risen, which typically dampens gold's appeal. The metal's sustained uptrend, in the face of higher borrowing costs and a stronger dollar, has caught the attention of market analysts.
READ MOREUBS Positive on Gold, May Rise to $2,500
Dominic Schnider, head of global commodities and foreign exchange at UBS Global Wealth Management, discusses the prospects for commodities including copper, gold and silver. He speaks on "Bloomberg: The China Show." Source: Bloomberg
READ MOREInvestors Flock to Gold as Middle East Tensions Escalate, Dollar Tumbles
Gold prices saw an increase on Wednesday, nearly touching their all-time highs, due to escalating tensions in the Middle East and a weakening U.S. dollar. The price of spot gold ascended by 0.2% to $2,388.56 per ounce, approaching its historical peak of $2,431.29. Conversely, U.S. gold futures experienced a slight decline of 0.1%, settling at $2,404.90. The rise in gold prices reflects investor sentiment seeking security amid growing geopolitical concerns, despite being technically overbought. Lukman Otunuga, a senior research analyst at FXTM, highlighted that the geopolitical instability is currently more influential on market dynamics than economic data or monetary policy expectations.
READ MORE446 Days and Counting: Recession Signal Fails to Predict Economic Downturn
For 446 days, the bond market's yield curve inversion, often seen as a recession predictor, has not resulted in an economic downturn. Historically, a normal yield curve shows higher long-term rates compared to short-term ones, indicating economic optimism. However, since July 5, 2022, the 2-year Treasury yield has consistently exceeded the 10-year rate, primarily due to aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes aimed at curbing inflation. This condition matches the length of a similar inversion from 1978 to 1980 but has yet to lead to the anticipated recession.
READ MOREDebt Service Costs Threaten Sustainable Development in Developing Countries
Emerging nations are facing a severe financial dilemma as they contend with record-high external debt service costs of $400 billion this year. A recent report by the Debt Relief for Green and Inclusive Recovery Project (DRGR) highlights that 47 developing countries risk insolvency if they pursue necessary investments in climate adaptation and sustainable development to meet the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement objectives. This risk arises as these investments would push them beyond the external debt insolvency thresholds set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), particularly over the next five years.
READ MORERenewed Geopolitical Tensions and US Inflation Spike Reignite Currency Market Volatility
Currency market volatility is on the rise, driven by increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and heightened inflation in the US. The recent attack by Iran on Israel and strong US inflation figures have led traders to speculate that the US dollar will strengthen, anticipating that the Federal Reserve might maintain stringent monetary policies longer than previously expected. This shift marks a significant change from just a month ago, when volatility was at multi-year lows, prompting speculation about a new era of stability in the $7.5 trillion-a-day foreign exchange market.
READ MOREChina's Gold Reserves Climb as Market Faces Mixed Demand Dynamics
In March, China's gold market witnessed diverse trends: official reserves increased, while wholesale demand slightly decreased. The Shanghai Gold Benchmark PM price surged by 10%, significantly outperforming other local asset classes. Although there was a mild drop in gold leaving the Shanghai Gold Exchange due to high prices, the first quarter saw the highest wholesale gold demand since 2019. The premium on China’s gold prices declined in March, indicating softer local demand; however, the quarter overall experienced the highest Q1 premium on record, driven by strong physical demand in earlier months.
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Silver's 44 Year Cup & Handle "Now, I Believe MID TO HIGH Triple Digits Are Baked in the Cake"
Dive into an epic financial adventure as we traverse through decades of silver pricing history, exploring striking chart patterns and bold predictions
READ MOREGold Prices Skyrocket, Yet Some Remain Cautious
The outlook for gold prices remains broadly positive, yet caution is warranted. Currently, gold is exhibiting an unusual correlation with the US dollar and both 5-year and 10-year US real yields—a relationship typically transient and lasting only about 3 to 6 months. Should gold prices align once more with central bank movements, stability against the US dollar and a modest rise against the euro are expected, reflecting divergent Federal Reserve and European Central Bank policies. Despite these trends, the current supply of physical gold is adequate, and central bank purchasing levels do not fully support the high market prices. Consequently, the forecast for gold remains pegged at $2,000 per ounce by year-end.
READ MOREDeutsche Bank Joins Goldman Sachs in Bullish Gold Forecast
Deutsche Bank has increased its gold price forecast to $2,600 by the end of 2024. This follows a similar bullish adjustment by Goldman Sachs, who now expects gold to reach $2,700 per ounce. Both banks attribute their optimistic forecasts to substantial investment inflows and rising geopolitical tensions, particularly citing the Middle East conflict as reinforcing gold's appeal as a safe haven. The recent failed missile attack by Iran on Israel further boosts this sentiment. Deutsche Bank also notes that while some early investors might take profits, new investors are likely to enter the market, sustaining demand and supporting higher prices. This sentiment has contributed to a 20% increase in gold prices over the past two months, with expectations for continued upward movement.
READ MOREPowell Warns of Extended High Interest Rates in Face of Persistent Inflation
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has moderated expectations for interest rate cuts, citing persistently firm inflation figures in the first quarter that have introduced uncertainty about the Fed's ability to lower rates without economic deceleration. Powell highlighted a notable shift in the Fed’s stance after inflation readings consistently exceeded forecasts for three consecutive months, undermining earlier hopes for pre-emptive rate reductions. Despite previous optimism that a few more months of data could reaffirm their inflation targets, recent trends suggest a longer-than-anticipated timeframe to gain this confidence.
READ MORERecord Gold Rally Hits Pause as U.S. Treasury Yields Climb
Gold prices experienced a slight decline on Tuesday, falling 0.3% to $2,375.50 per ounce as a result of high U.S. Treasury yields and profit-taking by investors. The dip follows a significant rally that brought gold to a record high of $2,431.29 last Friday. The increase in yields, particularly the 10-year Treasury note reaching 4.63%, reflects a market reaction to stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales in March. This economic indicator has led to a decrease in expectations for rate cuts in 2024. Despite the current pause, gold has risen 15% this year, buoyed by prolonged inflation expectations, heightened safe-haven demand due to ongoing Middle East tensions, and substantial buying by central banks.
READ MORECiti Analysts Eye $3,000 Mark for Gold
Gold prices have surged to near-record highs, bolstered by increased safe-haven demand amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. Following Iran's attack on Israel, involving over 300 drones and missiles, the demand for gold has intensified, with the June futures contract closing at a record $2,383 per ounce. Analysts, including those from Citi, predict that gold could potentially reach $3,000 if the geopolitical situation worsens, leading to further market instability. Market analyst Bartosz Sawicki anticipates that any significant retaliation by Israel could not only escalate the conflict but also drive further increases in gold prices, alongside rises in oil prices and the U.S. dollar.
READ MOREGold Particles Found in Emissions from Antarctica’s Tallest Volcano
In Antarctica, American geologists made an incredible find: an active volcano that's expelling particles of gold. This phenomenon occurs as hot gases from the volcano carry gold from deep within the volcanic rock to the surface and even beyond, with particles found as far as 1,000km away. The volcano, standing at a height of 3,794 meters, continues to be active, periodically releasing these valuable particles into the atmosphere, as reported by New Scientist and IFL Science.
READ MOREStrong Dollar Streak Hits One-Year High on Delayed Fed Cuts
The U.S. dollar is experiencing its strongest rally in over a year, propelled by expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain high interest rates longer than anticipated and by increasing demand for the dollar as a safe haven due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index has risen for five consecutive days, marking a nearly 2% increase—its most significant since February 2023. This surge is further intensified by China's decision to lower the yuan's reference rate, which has put additional pressure on emerging market currencies. Adjustments in market expectations now suggest that the Fed might delay easing interest rates until September, a shift from the previously expected July, following a series of unexpectedly high U.S. inflation reports that have heightened market volatility.
READ MOREUBS Warns of Potential 6.5% Fed Rate Hike Amid Enduring Inflation
UBS Group AG strategists suggest there is a growing risk that the Federal Reserve may increase interest rates to as high as 6.5% next year, due to persistent strong U.S. economic growth and sticky inflation. Initially predicting two rate cuts this year, UBS now considers a scenario where inflation does not meet the Fed's target, potentially leading to resumed rate hikes. This shift could trigger a significant selloff in both the bond and stock markets. Recent U.S. data indicating economic resilience has led markets to adjust expectations, reducing bets on policy easing and preparing for the possibility of increased rates if inflation remains above 2.5%.
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