Gold and Silver Industry & Investing News

Oil prices rose significantly with Brent crude up 1.7% to $76.95 and WTI climbing 2.6% to $74.42 as Trump’s tariffs threatened to disrupt North American energy trade. While Canadian energy faces lower 10% tariffs compared to 25% on other goods, analysts expect U.S. gasoline prices to rise as refineries face higher costs for heavy crude imports. Barclays notes the relatively softer stance on Canadian energy likely reflects concerns about domestic market stability, but Rystad Energy warns of inevitable gasoline price increases as refineries face higher costs for heavy crude grades. The situation could benefit OPEC+ if prolonged tariffs lead to...

Chinese consumers’ strong demand for gold helped drive prices to record highs in 2024, particularly in Shubei’s massive retail market. While general consumer spending and jewelry purchases declined amid China’s economic slowdown, gold remained attractive as a wealth preservation tool, with sustained demand for bars and coins. The persistent demand for gold bars and coins highlights a broader transformation in Chinese investment patterns, as consumers increasingly view the precious metal as a reliable hedge against economic instability. This shift is particularly significant given China’s property market troubles, traditionally a primary wealth storage vehicle for Chinese citizens. Unlike other luxury purchases...

The U.S. bond market displayed a notable split reaction to President Trump’s announcement of tariffs on major trading partners, reflecting complex expectations about monetary policy and economic growth. Short-term Treasury yields surged, with the 2-year yield jumping 6 basis points to 4.28%, indicating expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain higher rates longer to combat potential tariff-driven inflation. However, longer-term yields showed minimal movement or declined slightly, with the 10-year falling 0.1 basis points to 4.54% and the 30-year dropping 2.1 basis points to 4.77%. Goldman Sachs economists suggest this flattening yield curve reflects market beliefs that while the Fed...

Global markets faced severe turbulence as Trump’s tariffs on major trading partners triggered widespread selling. The dollar surged 0.9% to a two-year high while S&P 500 futures dropped 1.6%. The market impact was broad and severe, with S&P 500 futures dropping 1.6%, European automakers tumbling more than 5%, and cryptocurrencies facing sharp selloffs. The tariffs represent the most extensive protectionist action by a US president in almost a century, prompting dire warnings from major financial institutions. Goldman Sachs warns of a potential 5% US stock market decline, while RBC Capital Markets suggests losses could reach 10%. Bloomberg Economics estimates the...

Gold recovered from early losses to trade near $2,800/oz as safe-haven demand from Trump’s new tariffs offset pressure from a stronger dollar. Despite initially dropping over 1%, prices stayed close to Friday’s record high of $2,817.23 as investors sought protection from potential trade war impacts. Analysts expect gold to reach $2,850 in coming months amid growing economic uncertainty. The market’s concern over retaliatory measures from affected nations, including Canada’s counter-tariffs on $107 billion of US goods and China’s promised WTO challenge, has maintained gold’s appeal despite dollar strength reaching three-week highs. While J.P. Morgan warns of potential near-term pressure from...

Wall Street is bracing for sharp losses as President Trump’s sweeping tariffs against major trading partners threaten to escalate into a full-scale trade war. Futures trading indicates significant market stress, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 leading declines at 1.9%, the S&P 500 dropping 1.7%, and the Dow falling over 600 points or 1.5%. The market turbulence extends globally as European stocks retreat and the US dollar index climbs to two-year highs. The impending tariffs – 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods and 10% on Chinese imports – have already triggered retaliatory measures, with Canada announcing counter-tariffs on $107 billion in...

Cryptocurrency markets experienced a dramatic selloff in response to President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs against major trading partners, with losses far exceeding those seen in traditional financial markets. Bitcoin plummeted from $106,000 to $95,298, briefly touching $91,231, while Ether suffered its most severe single-day decline in four years, dropping as much as 26% during Asian trading hours to $2,608.21. The crypto market’s sharp reaction dwarfed the relatively modest declines in traditional markets, where S&P 500 futures fell 1.7% and Nasdaq-100 futures dropped 2.1%. Even as the U.S. Dollar Index climbed 1.1% to levels not seen since late 2022, the...

Gold prices are holding steady near record highs as markets grapple with opposing forces: escalating trade tensions driving safe-haven demand versus a surging dollar dampening buying interest. Trump’s announcement of tariffs (25% on Canada/Mexico, 10% on China) has triggered global retaliation threats and market uncertainty, typically positive for gold. However, the dollar’s jump to two-year highs is offsetting these supportive factors, as a stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for foreign buyers. The trade war’s impact is already visible in precious metals markets, with U.S. gold and silver prices trading above international benchmarks as traders rush to move metal before...

As President Trump’s new metal tariffs take effect, U.S. companies are orchestrating a major pivot in their supply chains away from traditional North American partners toward Middle Eastern and South American sources. The 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian imports, along with a 10% levy on Chinese goods, is forcing a particular reshuffling in the aluminum sector, where Canada currently supplies 56% of U.S. imports – about 3.08 million metric tons annually. Industry analysts predict significant price increases, with the U.S. Midwest premium potentially doubling to 50 cents per pound. Major producers like Alcoa are exploring plans to redirect Canadian...