Central Banks Chart Different Paths as U.S. Tariffs Reshape Global Economy

Copper just joined gold and silver in record territory for the first time in decades — a powerful signal that investors are rotating into real, tangible assets. With supply tightening, central banks ramping up gold purchases, and global PMI data flashing slowdown, hard assets are emerging as the preferred hedge against inflation, policy uncertainty, and weakening currencies.

Silver touched a record high of $57.86 per ounce Monday, surging nearly 90% year-over-year as physical supply tightens and traders price in a December Fed rate cut. Gold also climbed to a six-week high of $4,241, with major banks including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs now projecting prices could surpass $5,000 in 2026. The rallies come as central banks accelerate their shift away from dollar reserves and industrial demand for silver—driven by solar, EVs, and AI—outpaces supply for the fifth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Barrick Gold explores a potential breakup amid investor frustration, and President Trump’s economic messaging collides with voter concerns over persistent inflation.