Oil, Gas, or Tariffs: Trump’s High-Stakes Game with European Allies

Daily News Nuggets | Today’s top stories for gold and silver investors  December 18th, 2025    Inflation Cools More Than Expected in November  Consumer prices rose 2.7% year-over-year in November, coming in below the 3.1% economists had forecast and up only slightly from October’s 2.6%. Core inflation (excluding food and energy) also surprised to the downside at 2.6% versus expectations of 3.0%. The softer-than-expected reading came after a government shutdown disrupted October data collection, leaving markets without a clean monthly comparison.  Housing costs remain the sticky component, accounting for nearly 40% of November’s increase, though the pace of shelter inflation is showing signs of cooling. Markets reacted positively, with futures rallying on

Gold posts its best year since 1979 with $5,000 targets ahead. Silver surges past $65, up 120% in 2025. Trump orders Venezuela oil blockade. UK inflation cools to 3.2%, paving the way for Bank of England rate cuts.

November’s delayed jobs report shows unemployment at 4.6%—the highest since 2021—while Morgan Stanley forecasts gold reaching $4,800/oz by late 2026. Ivory Coast miners cave to new taxes, Bitcoin posts its fourth annual loss, and silver faces headwinds from falling solar demand. Here’s what matters for investors.