Fed Policy Shift and Trump’s Trade Threats Push Oil Lower

Fed Vice Chair Jefferson says labor risks are rising but rate cuts should move slowly—sending gold prices lower as December cut odds collapse to 42%. Meanwhile, retail investors are finally skipping the dip, corporate layoffs hit 22-year highs driven by AI investments, and crypto’s small-cap coins plunge to pandemic lows. Here’s what moved markets today.

Wall Street may be celebrating new highs, but recession pressures are already spreading across the real economy. As China accelerates its covert gold accumulation and silver enters a fifth straight supply deficit, precious metals continue to show strength while speculative assets falter. This week’s News Nuggets breaks down the new dynamics shaping the gold market outlook for 2025.

The government shutdown just ended, but the Fed’s data problem is just beginning. With key economic metrics compromised or missing entirely, policymakers face tough decisions on rate cuts while gold climbs to fresh three-week highs around $4,207/oz. Add in Atlanta Fed President Bostic’s retirement—opening a seat Trump could influence—and the U.S. Mint’s final penny striking, and you’ve got a week that highlights why investors are turning to tangible assets. From Fed uncertainty to currency debasement, this edition covers the forces reshaping monetary policy and precious metals demand.