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Daily News Nuggets | Today’s top stories for gold and silver investors
February 12th, 2026 | Brandon Sauerwein, Editor
Markets Brace for Friday’s U.S. Inflation Report
Friday’s CPI report could shift the U.S. inflation and gold outlook, as investors look for confirmation that price pressures are easing. Economists expect inflation to continue cooling in January.
Surveys from Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal show headline inflation at 2.5% year over year in January. That would be down from 2.7% in December and the lowest pace in nearly five years. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, is also expected at 2.5%. That would mark its lowest reading since 2021.
Recent data suggest some components like gasoline and rent have stabilized or even drifted lower, helping overall inflation cool. For the Federal Reserve, the CPI will be a crucial data point. With markets pricing little chance of immediate rate cuts, a softer inflation print could keep policymakers comfortable with a “wait-and-see” stance.
But the U.S. inflation and gold outlook goes beyond any single data point. Cooling inflation may ease pressure on gold in the short term. Yet persistent deficits, elevated borrowing, and geopolitical risks still drive long-term demand for hard assets.
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Resilient Labor Market Lifts Dollar, Weighs on Metals
Gold retreated after a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report cooled expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts. The data reinforced the view that the economy remains more resilient than many investors anticipated.
Treasury yields moved higher following the release, and the dollar strengthened — both traditional headwinds for gold. When rates stay elevated, non-yielding assets tend to lose short-term appeal.
Still, the broader backdrop has not shifted materially. Inflation remains sticky, government borrowing continues to expand, and geopolitical tensions persist. Strong growth can delay rate cuts, but it can also sustain price pressures.
Markets appear comfortable with the soft-landing narrative. That confidence assumes inflation continues trending lower without reacceleration. Strong headline data tells one story — yet beneath the surface, household balance sheets are beginning to show strain.
U.S. Credit Card Debt Climbs to $1.28 Trillion Record
U.S. credit card debt reached a record $1.28 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. That marks another quarter of rising revolving balances.
Balances rose by roughly $44 billion in just three months, reflecting more than a modest increase in discretionary spending. Persistently high prices and interest rates above 20% are forcing many households to rely on credit for essentials.
Delinquency rates also moved higher, especially among younger and lower-income borrowers. The data reinforces a “K-shaped” recovery, where financial strain is concentrated among more vulnerable consumers.
If borrowing costs remain elevated, debt service could begin to crowd out discretionary spending. That would have broader implications for economic growth.
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Copper Continues Rally as Metals Demand Outlook Brightens
Benchmark copper rose about 0.5% on the London Metal Exchange, extending the broader metals rally. The move reflects tightening supply, a softer U.S. dollar, and sustained investor interest in base metals.
Traders are betting that global manufacturing — especially in Asia — will remain resilient. Demand from electrification, green energy, and AI infrastructure is expected to support consumption.
At the same time, structural supply constraints continue to limit output. Declining ore grades and weak inventories have tightened the market. Chinese buying has slowed temporarily ahead of the Lunar New Year. Even so, broader risk appetite and long-term demand expectations are keeping prices elevated.
Markets appear confident that industrial demand will hold up. That optimism assumes global growth remains steady despite tighter financial conditions.
Pentagon to Buy Coal: New Energy Directive
In one of the administration’s most aggressive fossil-fuel interventions yet, President Trump ordered the Department of Defense to prioritize electricity purchases from coal-fired power plants.
The executive order directs long-term power purchase agreements and allocates roughly $175 million to upgrade six coal facilities across Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.
The White House says the move strengthens national security by ensuring reliable “baseload power” for military bases, especially during extreme weather. The president again promoted “clean coal,” despite scientific consensus that coal remains among the most carbon-intensive energy sources.
The directive follows broader efforts to delay coal plant retirements and ease environmental rules. Several states and utilities have challenged those moves in court, arguing they could raise costs and exceed federal authority.
Energy policy rarely moves markets overnight. But long-term power contracts can reshape regional energy economics and investment incentives.
