Copper Shortage Looms as Green Energy Demands Surge

The commodities landscape in 2025 is being reshaped by multiple forces, with copper and gold emerging as standout performers. Copper’s outlook is particularly strong due to its crucial role in the green energy transition, especially in batteries and motors, while supply remains constrained. The Cobre Panama mine’s uncertain reopening adds to supply concerns, with analysts projecting significant deficits through 2027. Meanwhile, gold’s exceptional performance in 2024 is expected to continue into 2025, driven by a structural market shift. Traditional price drivers like U.S. dollar weakness and real yields are being overshadowed by fiscal deficit concerns, increased central bank purchases, and […]

Gold Bulls Roar: Citi, UBS Project $3,000 Target

Citi and UBS have significantly upgraded their gold price forecasts to $3,000 per ounce, reflecting growing confidence in the precious metal’s bull run. Citi raised its average yearly forecast to $2,900, while UBS adjusted its 12-month target upward from $2,850. The revisions stem from multiple factors: escalating trade tensions, substantial central bank purchases, and increasing global economic uncertainties. The trend extends beyond traditional markets, with gold-backed cryptocurrencies outperforming their peers. Additionally, emerging markets are showing stronger interest in gold as part of a broader move toward reserve diversification and de-dollarization, further supporting the metal’s upward trajectory.

Precious Predicament: London’s Jewelry Quarter Adapts to Gold Boom

London’s Hatton Garden jewelry quarter is experiencing a unique situation as gold prices reach record highs. While some sellers are capitalizing on the increased value of their gold items, jewelers face challenges with rising costs and changing consumer behavior. The surge in gold prices has led to a shift in the market, with more people selling gold than buying jewelry. Despite the challenges, the allure of gold as an investment remains strong, reflecting the complex impact of soaring prices on the jewelry industry. Jewelers report seeing more sellers than buyers, which is impacting sales volumes, particularly as Valentine’s Day approaches. […]

China Opens $27B Insurance Gateway to Gold Market

China has launched a pilot program allowing ten major insurance companies to invest up to 1% of their assets in gold, potentially releasing $27.4 billion into the gold market. This historic policy shift, which began last Friday, comes as gold prices hit new records above $2,898 per ounce, driven by Fed rate expectations, central bank buying, and Trump-related market uncertainty. This development emerges against a backdrop of record gold prices and limited investment options in China’s struggling economy. However, analysts suggest actual demand may develop gradually as insurers carefully time their entries into the market. The policy change coincides with […]

Silver Breaks $32 Mark as Dollar Retreats Amid Trade Tensions

Silver prices have surged to $32.30 as investors seek safe-haven assets following President Trump’s announcement of new steel and aluminum tariffs. The precious metal’s gains were further supported by a retreat in the US Dollar Index from 108.50 to 108.10. Technical analysis indicates a bullish outlook, with the 20-day EMA trending higher at $30.90 and RSI readings between 60-80 suggesting strong momentum. The metal faces immediate resistance at $32.50, with potential upside to October’s high of $33.90, while maintaining support at $29.50. Investors remain focused on Fed Chair Powell’s upcoming congressional testimony for signals about the duration of current interest […]

Gold Hits Seventh Record This Year as Trade Fears Mount

Global gold markets are experiencing a remarkable surge, with spot gold jumping 1.4% to reach a historic high of $2,903.08 per ounce – marking its seventh record this year. The rally is primarily driven by safe-haven demand following President Trump’s announcement of new steel and aluminum tariffs, along with plans for reciprocal tariffs. Meanwhile, London’s gold vaults reported a 1.7% decrease in holdings due to increased U.S.-bound shipments. The precious metals rally has extended to silver, platinum, and palladium, though market participants remain watchful of upcoming U.S. inflation data that could influence Federal Reserve policy decisions.

Historic Gold Rally Hits $2,900 Amid Trump Tariff Plans

Gold hit a historic high of $2,903 per ounce following President Trump’s announcement of impending steel and aluminum tariffs. The surge reflects growing market uncertainty, with investors turning to gold as a safe haven. China’s increased gold reserves and new policy allowing insurers to invest in bullion further strengthen the metal’s position, despite potential headwinds from Fed policy. China’s continued expansion of gold reserves and new policy allowing major insurers to invest up to 1% of assets in bullion (potentially $27.4 billion) further reinforces the metal’s bullish outlook.

Currency Markets Whipsaw as Trump’s Trade Plans Spark Safe-Haven Rush

Markets showed mixed reactions to President Trump’s latest trade announcement, with both the dollar and gold strengthening as safe-haven assets. The proposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports sparked volatility across markets, though US stock futures indicated a potential recovery from Friday’s decline. While the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index reached its highest point in nearly a week, US stock futures suggested a recovery from Friday’s selloff, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures gaining at least 0.4%. Metal companies saw substantial premarket gains, with US Steel Corp. surging up to 15%. The market’s attention remains divided between the tariff […]

Record Gold Prices Squeeze Out Chinese Buyers as $3,000 Looms

Despite being the world’s largest gold buyer, Chinese consumers are stepping back from purchases as prices approach $3,000 per ounce. While investment demand remains steady and the People’s Bank of China continues its gold purchases, jewelry sales have declined due to the combination of record prices, a weak yuan, and economic challenges. While institutional investment through ETFs remains robust and the People’s Bank of China has resumed gold purchases to support the yuan, retail demand has notably softened. This is especially evident in the jewelry sector, where consumers are shifting to smaller pieces, and in the unusual appearance of discounts […]

Record $5.2B Gold Deliveries Shock Comex in Minor Month

January 2025 has seen an unprecedented $5.2 billion in gold deliveries on the Comex, marking an extraordinary surge for a traditionally quiet minor month. What makes this particularly noteworthy is that 19,001 contracts have been delivered with three days still remaining in the month, a level typically associated with major delivery months. The surge isn’t attributed to any single event but rather consistent buying and immediate settlement throughout the month. This unprecedented activity in physical gold delivery could potentially indicate a broader shift in market participants’ attitude toward holding physical metal rather than paper contracts.