Precious metals news

Gold's remarkable 27% surge in 2024 marked its best performance in 14 years, with prices now hovering above $2,670 per ounce. Wall Street's major players are projecting continued strength, with both JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs forecasting prices to reach $3,000 in 2025. This bullish outlook is supported by multiple factors: anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts, increased bullion purchases by emerging market central banks seeking protection against financial and geopolitical risks, and potential inflationary pressures from proposed policy changes. Notably, analysts suggest that retail investor participation, which remained relatively subdued in 2024, could increase if interest rates decrease or inflation concerns mount, potentially providing additional support for gold prices.

Global food markets are facing a complex scenario as commodity prices recorded their first annual gain in three years, rising 7% in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by vegetable oil costs, especially palm oil, along with higher dairy and meat prices. While grain prices declined due to sufficient supply, the overall trend could impact consumer grocery bills. This price pressure coincides with potential trade disruptions under the incoming administration, which has proposed widespread import tariffs. Market analysts, including Rabobank, predict continued supply constraints in palm oil and wheat through 2025, while emphasizing that future US-China trade relations will significantly influence global food commodity flows and prices. Industry experts warn that farmers and food processors across different regions may face varying margin pressures depending on how trade policies unfold.

The Riksbank and Sweden's Food Federation are locked in a public dispute over food inflation. Deputy Governor Per Jansson warns of aggressive pricing practices, while the industry maintains they've absorbed cost increases, reporting losses in 2022-2023. This tension emerges as Sweden faces its highest food price increases since the 1950s, despite broader inflation showing signs of moderation. The conflict highlights the central bank's concerns about sustained pricing pressures even as they worry about potential too-low inflation in other sectors.

In a major win for precious metals investors, New Jersey's Senate Bill 721 will remove all sales tax on gold, silver, and precious metals starting January 1, 2025. The historic legislation, advocated by local business owner Matthew Eisenberg and backed by both Republican and Democratic senators, makes New Jersey one of the most attractive states for precious metals trading.

Gold and emerging market currencies have reached their most negative correlation in three years, driven by Trump's potential return to presidency. While traditionally moving together 86% of the time, these assets are now diverging significantly. The dollar's surge to a two-year high has weakened emerging market currencies, but gold has maintained its upward trajectory, surpassing $2,650 per ounce, with Goldman Sachs projecting $3,000 by 2025.

Discover why Bitcoin, gold, and silver could be the power trio of 2025 in this exclusive interview with Alan Hibbard of GoldSilver.com.

Wall Street's 2025 predictions are dominated by the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House. His expected pro-business policies are fueling optimism for Corporate America and US assets, while his tough stance on global trade creates some nervousness. Analysts foresee US economic exceptionalism, contained but persistent inflation, and slower interest rate cuts than currently expected.

The world is witnessing a modern gold rush, with central banks at the forefront. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, gold prices have soared to unprecedented levels, surpassing $2,800 an ounce in 2024. This surge is driven by central banks, especially from developing nations, seeking to diversify their reserves and hedge against potential global financial system instability. The trend underscores growing skepticism about the long-term sustainability of U.S. and European debt levels and reflects a broader shift in the global economic landscape.

Despite record gold prices and Federal Reserve easing, investors sold gold-backed ETFs for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. While rate cut optimism briefly boosted ETFs, the U.S. election results in November halted this momentum. A stronger dollar following Trump's win led to renewed selloffs, with investors redirecting funds to equities and Bitcoin. Meanwhile, geopolitical risks drove emerging market central banks and Asian investors towards physical bullion.

Gold prices skyrocketed in 2024, achieving a remarkable 27% gain and marking its best performance since 2010. This surge was primarily driven by increased investment from central banks worldwide, reflecting growing economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.

While the Silver Institute is reporting an increase in Mexico's silver production this year, the official data from the Mexican INEGI shows a significant decline.  So, who is Correct?  I provide my analysis of the situation.  However, I believe the data coming from the Mexican INEGI is likely more accurate...

Prepare to be startled by the dramatic extremes in today’s stock market. Mike Maloney and Alan Hibbard discuss the urgent red flags signaling a potential “blow-off top,” where market gains soar to dizzying heights before a sudden collapse.

Gold’s 2025 outlook remains strong, with prices projected to range between $2,600 and $3,100 per ounce. Central bank buying, robust consumer demand from Asia, and fiscal deficits driven by Trump-era policies are expected to bolster the precious metal’s appeal. With geopolitical tensions and monetary easing on the horizon, gold’s safe-haven status could shine even brighter as a core portfolio asset.

Gold is expected to remain a standout asset in 2025, according to Deutsche Bank, fueled by its role as a hedge against geopolitical risks, inflation, and economic uncertainty. With persistent high prices supported by strong central bank buying and investor demand, gold offers a safe haven amidst volatile markets. As other commodities face mixed prospects, gold's stability positions it as a crucial portfolio component for navigating turbulent times.

Gold’s stellar 2024 performance, driven by a 20% price surge, may repeat in 2025, according to Citi analysts. Historical trends show gold futures that gain over 15% often rise again the following year, bolstered by factors like lower interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and central bank buying.

UBS projects silver prices will climb to $36-$38 per ounce in 2025, driven by falling U.S. real yields and improving global industrial production. Despite headwinds like higher yields, a strong dollar, and speculative short positions, silver’s dual role as a precious and industrial metal remains a key strength. UBS also predicts a tighter gold-silver ratio, underscoring silver’s potential to outperform gold in a bullish commodities market.

J.P. Morgan's experts foresee a year of divergence in 2025, with U.S. interest rates staying elevated while Europe and emerging markets ease policies. Key themes include resilient U.S. growth driven by fiscal and trade policies, a strong dollar, and polarized performance across asset classes and regions. Commodities are expected to stabilize, with bullish trends in metals and bearish forecasts for oil, while geopolitical uncertainties and inflation remain critical risks to watch.

China’s net gold imports via Hong Kong surged 115% in November to 33.074 metric tons, the highest in seven months, driven by renewed central bank purchases and rising consumer demand ahead of the Lunar New Year. This jump highlights China’s influence on global gold markets, with spot gold up 27% this year despite recent volatility. Imports via other channels like Shanghai suggest even higher overall demand.

Wall Street analysts and strategists are showing remarkable unanimity in their optimistic outlook for 2025, with virtually no major institutions predicting significant market downturns. This unusual consensus is raising contrarian red flags, as historically such widespread agreement often precedes major market turns. The analysis examines various bullish predictions from major banks and highlights potential risks being overlooked.

The Federal Reserve finds itself at a crucial crossroads heading into 2025, facing two potentially problematic options: either accept higher inflation levels above target or risk triggering a recession through continued tight monetary policy. The central bank's decision-making process is being complicated by sticky inflation metrics and mixed economic signals, creating uncertainty in markets.