Gold Fever in China: Investment Demand Soars While Jewelry Sales Cool

China’s gold market surged in April 2025, marking its fifth straight month of price gains. Chinese gold ETFs had their strongest month ever, adding 65 tonnes (US$6.8bn). The Shanghai Benchmark Gold Price rose 6.9%, while the LBMA Gold Price increased 6%. Wholesale demand jumped with 153 tonnes withdrawn from the Shanghai Gold Exchange—27% more than March. The People’s Bank of China added another 2.2 tonnes to its reserves, now at 2,295 tonnes. Despite strong investment activity, Q1 gold imports were weak due to lower premiums and reduced jewelry demand. While short-term investment may slow due to profit-taking, the long-term outlook […]

Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady as Tariff Impact on Inflation Remains Unclear

The Federal Reserve is likely to maintain a “wait and see” approach to interest rates after April’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed sticky inflation despite some cooling signs. Core inflation (excluding food and energy) remained at 2.8% year-over-year for the second consecutive month, substantially above the Fed’s 2% target. Monthly core inflation rose 0.2%, higher than March’s 0.1% but below expectations. Experts from Morgan Stanley and Bank of America believe President Trump’s tariffs haven’t yet fully materialized in inflation data, with impacts expected to appear in May or June figures. Investors continue to predict the Fed will hold rates steady […]

Record-Breaking Metal Deposit Could Redefine Argentina’s Economy

A landmark discovery in Argentina’s Andes mountains has unearthed the largest copper, gold, and silver deposit in 30 years. The joint venture “Vicuña,” formed by Lundin Mining and BHP, has identified over 80 million ounces of gold and silver alongside 12+ million tons of copper. This find is expected to boost Argentina’s economy through job creation and infrastructure development. Communities in San Juan province anticipate that resulting revenues will fund essential services in historically neglected areas. The discovery could transform Argentina from an agricultural nation into a significant copper exporter within a decade. This matters globally, as copper is vital […]

Wealthy Investors Flee Dollar for Gold and Crypto Amid Trade Tensions, Says UBS

UBS reports that wealthy clients are moving away from US dollar-based investments and toward alternative assets like gold and cryptocurrency. Amy Lo, co-head of UBS Group’s Asian Wealth Management, noted that gold has become particularly popular due to economic volatility caused by Trump’s trade tariffs. Investors are also increasingly considering Chinese yuan-backed assets. Recent data shows the yuan outperforming the dollar in May 2025, while Bitcoin has crossed $105,000 and gold reached an all-time high of $3,390 in April.

Fed’s Jefferson Warns: Tariffs Could Disrupt Inflation Progress

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson acknowledged recent progress on inflation but cautioned that new tariffs could reverse that trend. While April’s CPI data came in softer than expected, Jefferson noted that sustained import taxes may temporarily push inflation higher — and possibly slow the economy. He emphasized the need for a steady hand on interest rates, calling current levels “well positioned” to respond to emerging risks. Business and consumer sentiment have dipped, and the Fed is now closely monitoring for signs of economic slowdown.

Kalyan Jewellers Accelerates Expansion with 160 New Stores Amid Changing Consumer Preferences

Indian jewelry retailer Kalyan Jewellers expects robust growth exceeding 25% this year as it accelerates its expansion with 160 new locations planned. The company is benefiting from changing consumer behavior, with customers preferring established chains over independent jewelers, shopping more frequently, and spending more on gifts. While high gold prices haven’t deterred wealthy buyers, middle-class consumers are shifting to lighter, lower-carat options. The retailer’s aggressive growth strategy aims to match market leader Titan’s “Tanishq” store count in three years.

Gold Rush 2025: How Global Uncertainty Is Driving Record Investment

Economic and political uncertainty has sparked renewed interest in gold as a safe investment. Gold prices have increased 20% since Trump’s election and 95% over five years. Both central banks and individual buyers are turning to gold, with U.S. gold inventories doubling as tons of gold are being transported to New York vaults. This trend accelerated after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when central banks began buying gold at twice the previous rate. While jewelry purchases have decreased, investment in gold bars and coins is up. Experts, including billionaire investor John Paulson, predict gold prices will continue rising significantly through 2028, […]

Gold Retreats from Record Highs as U.S.-China Relations Improve

Gold prices fell by 0.5% to $3,231.08 per ounce on Wednesday as improving U.S.-China trade relations eased global recession concerns. The two countries agreed to a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs after weekend talks in Geneva, with the U.S. planning to reduce tariffs on low-value Chinese shipments to 30%. This agreement has boosted investor risk appetite and weakened gold’s safe-haven appeal, which had previously driven prices to a record high of $3,500.05 last month. According to Ole Hansen from Saxo Bank, gold faces potential further decline if prices drop below $3,200, potentially testing the $3,165 level. Meanwhile, traders await Thursday’s […]

Gold Retreats as US-China Trade Truce Shifts Investor Sentiment

Gold prices edged lower for the second time in three days, initially falling by 0.9% before recovering somewhat due to a weakening dollar following reports about US-South Korea currency policy discussions. The decline comes as investors react to two key factors: the unexpected trade truce between the US and China following weekend talks in Switzerland, and lower-than-expected US inflation figures for April. The trade breakthrough has reinvigorated risk appetite, helping the S&P 500 recover all its 2025 losses as investors shift away from defensive assets like gold. Despite this recent pullback, gold has performed strongly this year, rising about 20% […]

Egg Prices Crack: April Sees Largest Monthly Drop Since 1984

April saw a dramatic 12.7% decrease in egg prices – the biggest monthly drop in 40 years. While this brings some relief, eggs still cost 49.3% more than a year ago. This decline helped overall food inflation fall 0.1%, its largest monthly drop in nearly five years. Most grocery categories showed price decreases while restaurant food prices continued to rise. Experts note that increased egg imports and consumers avoiding eggs due to high prices contributed to the decline. Despite the overall positive trend, beef prices remained steady and are expected to stay high due to supply constraints.