Gold and Silver Industry & Investing News

Federal Reserve officials Susan Collins and Raphael Bostic have signaled a cautious approach to further interest rate cuts, emphasizing the need to evaluate economic impacts of both recent monetary policy changes and new White House initiatives. Following three rate cuts totaling 100 basis points since September, the officials want to observe the effects before making additional adjustments. The Fed must also consider Trump’s new tariffs, which Collins notes could cause short-term inflation across both final goods and intermediate production materials. While both officials expect rates to eventually decrease from the current 4.25-4.5% range, with Bostic suggesting a target of 3.0-3.5%,...

Oil markets have reversed all gains made in 2025 as escalating trade tensions between the US and China threaten global economic growth and energy consumption. West Texas Intermediate crude fell below $72 per barrel following China’s announcement of retaliatory measures, which include a 10% tariff on US oil imports and 15% levies on coal and LNG. While direct US oil exports to China are modest at 250,000 barrels per day, the broader implications of a trade war between the world’s largest economies could significantly impact global energy demand. The market volatility comes amid already concerning signals, including declining Chinese manufacturing...

The luxury gold market in China is showing strength in the face of unprecedented market conditions, with high-end products maintaining strong sales despite gold prices reaching 40 new records and rising up to 30%. This trend is particularly evident in Laopu Gold Co Ltd’s performance, whose shares jumped over 70% during its Hong Kong stock exchange debut in June. According to China International Capital Corp Ltd (CICC), the company is projected to achieve extraordinary growth in 2024, with revenue expected to increase 136% year-on-year to 7.5 billion yuan ($1 billion) and net profits surging 187% to 1.2 billion yuan. CICC...

China’s central bank faces mounting pressure to relax its tight control over the yuan as Trump’s trade tariffs threaten to impact exports. Analysts from ANZ Banking and Malayan Banking expect the PBOC to allow the yuan’s daily fixing to weaken past 7.2 per dollar, a level carefully defended since Trump’s election. The offshore yuan has already touched 7.3734, its lowest since October 2022, though it recovered after Trump indicated willingness to negotiate. Goldman Sachs projects the onshore yuan could reach 7.4-7.5, suggesting a potential 3.4% decline. While currency depreciation could help offset tariff impacts, China must balance this against risks...

Trump’s new tariffs on China, with potential duties on Mexico and Canada, could cost typical households $1,200 annually, with lower-income Americans facing disproportionate impact. According to Peterson Institute analysis, while typical households face $1,200 in annual costs, the bottom 20% of earners would lose 2.7% of their income, more than four times the 0.6% impact on the top 1%. This disparity stems from lower-income families spending more of their income on essential goods directly affected by tariffs. The timing is particularly challenging as consumer financial health shows signs of stress, with credit card minimum payments reaching record highs at 11%...

China has responded to Trump’s 10% blanket tariff with targeted measures affecting $20 billion in US imports, including 15% levies on coal and LNG and 10% on crude oil and select vehicles. The government has also opened an antitrust investigation into Google and identified companies like PVH and Illumina for potential sanctions. The timing of China’s tariffs, set to take effect February 10th, leaves room for negotiations as both sides attempt to avoid a full-scale trade war. Meanwhile, Trump has temporarily suspended threatened 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, agreeing to a 30-day negotiation period, and has suggested the EU...

US steel prices are rising as Trump announces potential 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, though implementation is delayed for a month of negotiations. Domestic steel producers have already begun increasing prices, with US Steel adding $50 per ton and Nucor raising prices by $25 per ton. The tariffs would affect 35% of US steel imports, impacting manufacturing costs and potentially raising consumer prices for goods from automobiles to beverages.

Gold markets remain cautious near record levels as multiple factors influence trading sentiment. The immediate focus is on President Trump’s tariff policies and their potential inflationary impact, with three Fed officials warning of price risks and suggesting a more measured approach to interest rate cuts. While Mexico and Canada received temporary reprieves, China’s swift retaliatory tariffs have escalated tensions between the world’s largest economies. The situation has created unusual market dynamics, with global bullion banks airlifting gold from Dubai and Hong Kong to the U.S. to exploit high futures premiums. Markets are also closely monitoring upcoming U.S. economic indicators, including...

The escalating trade war between the US and China has kept gold prices hovering near historic levels, with spot gold at $2,814.94 per ounce following an all-time high of $2,830.74. President Trump’s implementation of 10% tariffs on Chinese goods sparked immediate retaliation from Beijing, including countervailing duties and an antitrust probe into Google. The conflict has created significant disruption in precious metals markets, with US prices climbing above global benchmarks and traders scrambling to move large volumes of gold and silver into America ahead of potential tariffs. The situation has also triggered a spike in gold and silver lease rates...

JPMorgan Chase, the world’s largest bullion dealer, is spearheading an unprecedented movement of gold to US markets, planning to deliver over $4 billion in bullion against February Comex futures contracts. This massive delivery, part of a total 3 million troy ounces from major banks, represents the second-largest delivery in exchange history since 1994. The unusual movement reflects growing concerns about potential import tariffs under President Trump, which has created a significant premium for US gold prices over London spot rates. The situation has triggered remarkable market dynamics, with physical gold inventories in Comex depositories swelling by 14 million ounces ($39...