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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TOP NEWS"I Would Not Be Surprised If GOLD Clears $3000oz in 2025" Alan Hibbard
In this eye-opening discussion, Alan Hibbard from GoldSilver.com shares why 2025 could be a game-changing year for precious metals
You Asked For My thoughts On Elon Musk & DOGE...Brace Yourself
In this video, we explore the surprising suggestion that Musk replace Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House and the jaw-dropping reason behind it.
READ MOREMining Giants Rio Tinto, Glencore Explore Historic $160 Billion Merger
Rio Tinto and Glencore have explored what could become mining's largest-ever merger, with preliminary talks held in late 2024 to combine their $104 billion and $56 billion market capitalizations respectively. The potential deal reflects the mining industry's intense focus on copper acquisition, with both companies owning premier assets including the coveted Collahuasi mine in Chile. However, significant obstacles exist: Rio Tinto's complete exit from coal contrasts with Glencore's position as the world's biggest coal shipper, their corporate cultures differ dramatically, and Rio's CEO Jakob Stausholm has expressed skepticism about mega-deals. The talks emerge amid a wave of industry consolidation attempts, including Glencore's recent Teck Resources coal unit acquisition and BHP's unsuccessful $49 billion bid for Anglo American.
READ MOREJunk Debt Market Races Against Time as Trump's Tariff Threat Looms
The impending Trump presidency has triggered widespread anxiety in the junk debt market, particularly in Europe, where companies are racing to secure financing ahead of potential tariff implementations. The market has seen its busiest start since 2017, with 19 out of 28 loan tranches being repricings as companies seek to lock in favorable terms. Lenders are conducting extensive due diligence, exemplified by Hunter Douglas's two-hour creditor call that focused heavily on tariff impact assessments. Investment managers are already adjusting their portfolios, shifting away from vulnerable sectors like automobiles and chemicals toward domestic industries less exposed to trade tensions. While European high-yield borrowers are expected to face the initial impact, there are broader concerns about potential inflationary pressures and their effect on Federal Reserve policy, which could impact the entire credit market.
READ MOREOil Extends 4-Week Win Streak as Russian Sanctions Reshape Trade
Oil futures are poised for their fourth straight week of gains, with WTI crude targeting a 2.6% weekly increase despite a minor 0.2% dip to $78.56 per barrel on Friday. The recent rally has been driven by the Biden administration's broader sanctions against Russia's energy sector, which targeted additional producers, over 180 vessels, and oilfield-service providers. These measures have prompted major buyers like India and China to seek alternative suppliers, while additional sanctions on Iran's shadow fleet could impact up to 500,000 barrels of daily crude supply. Market attention is now shifting to President-elect Trump's upcoming energy policies, with analysts suggesting he might use sanctions as a negotiating tool rather than risk triggering higher oil prices.
READ MOREEight States Race for Bitcoin Reserves as Trump's Crypto Vision Takes Shape
The cryptocurrency landscape is undergoing major shifts as Bitcoin's price fluctuates dramatically, moving from $90K to $101K within a week. At the state level, a remarkable push for Bitcoin adoption is underway, with eight states - Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio, Alabama, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and North Dakota - advancing legislation to establish strategic Bitcoin reserves. This movement coincides with broader national initiatives, including Trump's proposed federal Bitcoin stockpile plan, which has gained substantial industry support. Adding to the dynamics, Senator Cynthia Lummis has launched an investigation into alleged document tampering at the FDIC regarding its digital asset activities, particularly concerning Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank. The industry's optimism is culminating in a lavish Crypto Ball in Washington D.C., sponsored by major players like Coinbase and featuring exclusive access to Trump, highlighting the growing intersection of cryptocurrency and politics.
READ MOREWall Street Giants Launch Fresh Bid to Overhaul Capital Rules Under Trump
Wall Street banks are launching an ambitious campaign to reshape capital regulations, emboldened by Trump's pending return to the White House and their recent victory in halving proposed Basel capital requirements. Leading institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs are targeting multiple regulatory reforms, including reducing the capital surcharge for global banks and restructuring the Federal Reserve's stress testing framework. Banking executives argue that the current nearly $1 trillion combined capital requirement is excessive, pointing to their stability during the COVID-19 pandemic and their role in stabilizing regional banks during the 2023 crisis as evidence of their financial strength. While banks achieved some regulatory relief during Trump's first term, they view the upcoming administration change, including an earlier-than-expected appointment of a new Federal Reserve regulatory chief, as a unique opportunity for more comprehensive reform.
READ MOREGlobal Mining Outlook: Stability Emerges Despite Regional Challenges
Key developments in the basic materials sector show varying performance across companies and regions. Orla Mining reported disappointing Q4 gold production of 26,500 ounces, falling 15% below expectations due to 4,100 ounces remaining in refined inventory. Meanwhile, Antofagasta's 2025 capital expenditure guidance of $3.9 billion exceeded analyst expectations by 11%. Rio Tinto delivered strong copper production, particularly at Escondida and Oyu Tolgoi mines, while reporting steady iron-ore output despite an increasing mix of lower-quality SP10 ore. The company notes global economic resilience with moderating inflation, though challenges persist from geopolitical tensions, labor shortages, and China's property market crisis, even as the U.S. economy maintains stable performance.
READ MORETrump Plans Triple Threat: New Oil Sanctions Target Iran, Russia, Venezuela
The incoming Trump administration is developing comprehensive sanctions targeting the oil sectors of Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, focusing on three persistent diplomatic challenges facing the United States. The measures aim to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine, address concerns about Iran's nuclear program, and respond to Venezuela's democratic backsliding. However, sanctioning these major oil producers presents significant challenges for global markets, particularly following recent oil price increases triggered by Biden's sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Russia's financial strain is evident, with its National Wellbeing Fund's liquid assets dropping 24% to 3.8 trillion rubles in 2024, largely due to war-related expenditures. The news coincides with BP's announcement of significant job cuts and restructuring efforts under CEO Murray Auchincloss.
READ MOREGold Up Over $2,740 in Third Straight Winning Session
Gold futures surged 1.25% to $2,746.40 on Thursday, marking their third consecutive daily gain and the third-highest close in history. The precious metal has rallied in seven of the past eight sessions, climbing 4.46% year-to-date, supported by shifting Federal Reserve policy expectations and standing just 1.51% below its all-time high of $2,788.50.
READ MOREStrong December Retail Data Challenges Fed's Rate Cut Timeline
December's retail sales data painted a picture of resilient U.S. consumer spending, with a 0.4% overall increase and a notable 0.7% jump in core retail sales. The strength was broad-based, with significant gains in auto dealerships (0.7%), furniture stores (2.3%), and sporting goods retailers (2.6%). This robust performance, combined with December's strong employment figures showing a 4.1% unemployment rate, has prompted economists to revise their Q4 GDP growth estimates upward to nearly match Q3's 3.1% pace. The data suggests that wage growth continues to drive consumer spending, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's considerations for interest rate cuts in 2024.
READ MOREHawks vs. Doves: Fed Debates Pace of 2025 Rate Cuts
Federal Reserve officials are signaling a more conservative approach to rate cuts in 2025 compared to 2024's full percentage point reduction. Their cautious stance is influenced by persistent above-target inflation, robust labor market conditions, and uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of Trump's second-term policies, including potential tax cuts and tariffs. The divide between hawks and doves reflects varying concerns about inflation risks versus labor market stability.
READ MOREEnergy Markets Soar on Supply Concerns and Power Sector Shake-up
Oil prices rallied significantly with WTI crude reaching $80.04 and Brent hitting $82.03 per barrel, driven by winter demand and concerns over U.S. sanctions on Russia. The market is responding to multiple factors: eight consecutive weeks of U.S. crude inventory drawdowns, speculation about the incoming Trump administration's stance on Iran, and the International Energy Agency's forecast of 1.05 million barrels per day demand growth in 2025. Meanwhile, Constellation Energy's acquisition of Calpine for $16.4 billion is reshaping the power sector landscape.
READ MOREOil Drops as Red Sea Tensions Ease, Markets Eye Trump's Return
Oil prices declined on Thursday, with Brent crude falling 1.29% to $80.97 and WTI dropping 1.87% to $78.54, primarily due to expectations of reduced Houthi attacks in the Red Sea following a Gaza ceasefire agreement. The market also responded to strong U.S. retail data and Fed Governor Waller's comments suggesting potential earlier rate cuts, while anticipating policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration and monitoring OPEC+'s cautious stance on production increases.
READ MOREDovish Fed Hopes Drive Gold to Highest Level Since December
Gold has climbed to its highest level in over a month, trading at $2,719.49 per ounce, as multiple economic indicators point toward potential monetary policy easing. This rally was fueled by a confluence of factors: weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data, including higher jobless claims of 217,000 versus the forecast 210,000, and December's core inflation increase of just 0.2% after four consecutive months of 0.3% gains. These developments have significantly influenced market expectations, with traders now anticipating 37 basis points of Federal Reserve rate cuts by year-end, up from 31 basis points before the inflation data. The precious metal's appeal is further enhanced by declining Treasury yields and ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in Gaza where recent airstrikes have resulted in significant casualties despite ceasefire announcements, reinforcing gold's traditional role as a safe-haven asset and hedge against inflation.
READ MOREDollar Weakens as Markets Brace for Trump's Return and Policy Shifts
The U.S. dollar weakened Thursday despite mixed economic data, with traders focusing on the upcoming Trump inauguration and potential policy shifts. While retail sales showed modest growth and unemployment claims remained at healthy levels, markets are particularly attentive to Treasury nominee Scott Bessent's upcoming hearing and the possibility of new tariffs. The dollar index fell 0.09% to 108.92, while experiencing notable declines against the yen and maintaining pressure on China's yuan.
READ MOREGold Rises Past $2,700 as Cooling Inflation Sparks Rate Cut Hopes
Gold has climbed to its highest level in a month, trading above $2,700 an ounce, driven by a significant shift in market expectations following surprisingly moderate U.S. core inflation data. The consumer price index, excluding food and energy, rose just 0.2% after four consecutive months of 0.3% increases, suggesting the Fed may have more flexibility to cut rates sooner than previously anticipated. This development has caused a notable market reaction, with Treasury yields and the dollar declining, enhancing gold's appeal as a non-yielding asset. Swap traders have adjusted their expectations, now fully pricing in a rate cut by July - a marked change from recent predictions of September or October following strong employment data. While Fed officials express optimism about declining inflation pressures, they maintain a cautious stance about the complete victory over price stability, echoing the conditions that helped drive gold to record highs last year.
READ MORENew Study Shows S&P 500 Most Expensive Ever vs. Worker Pay
A new analysis reveals U.S. stocks have reached their most expensive level in history when measured against workers' purchasing power. According to Leuthold Group's research, manufacturing workers must now work more than 200 hours to afford one unit of the S&P 500, dramatically exceeding the historical median of 33 hours in data going back to 1947. This extreme valuation coincides with other concerning metrics - the S&P 500's forward P/E ratio stands at 21.4 times expected 2025 earnings, and its price-to-sales ratio is at levels not seen since the aftermath of the dot-com bubble. While the market has shown resilience, rising over 50% from its October 2022 lows, these valuation metrics suggest unprecedented disconnection between stock market values and real-world wages, even as recent positive inflation data continues to drive market gains.
READ MOREHoliday Shopping Surge Caps Strong Year for U.S. Retail Despite Economic Headwinds
December 2024 saw U.S. retail sales increase by 0.4%, reflecting strong consumer spending across multiple sectors, particularly in automobiles (0.7%), furniture (2.3%), and sporting goods (2.6%). This growth, though moderating from November's 0.8%, occurred against a backdrop of positive economic indicators, including a low 4.1% unemployment rate and rising wages. The retail landscape reveals a complex picture where overall sales have risen 3.9% year-over-year, with goods inflation at just 0.3%. However, the market shows a clear bifurcation: wealthy consumers, benefiting from appreciating assets, continue robust spending and home improvements, while lower-income households remain constrained by elevated prices. This dynamic, combined with core inflation holding at 2.7% and expectations of further Federal Reserve rate cuts, suggests a nuanced economic environment where consumer resilience varies significantly by income level.
READ MOREGold vs Bitcoin: Why 2025's Smart Money is Betting on Both
As both gold and bitcoin reach record highs in 2024, a growing number of investment experts suggest including both assets in portfolios for enhanced diversification. While sharing some characteristics as alternative investments, their distinct behaviors and risk profiles make them complementary rather than competitive assets. BlackRock recommends up to 2% bitcoin allocation in traditional portfolios, while investment managers suggest gold allocations around 10%, highlighting bitcoin's higher risk-reward profile compared to gold's established role as a store of value.
READ MOREMali Seizes $245M in Gold from Barrick Mine in Escalating Ownership Battle
Mali's government has seized three tons of gold worth $245 million from Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mine amid an escalating ownership dispute. The seizure, following the arrest of company executives and a warrant for CEO Mark Bristow, has forced Barrick to suspend operations at the mine, which produces 14% of its global output. The conflict stems from Mali's new mining codes, with the military government demanding an increased stake beyond its current 20% ownership and claiming $500 million in back taxes.
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