Oil prices rose slightly in trading on Tuesday (January 20) after better-than-expected Chinese economic data boosted demand optimism. Brent crude rose 19 cents (0.3%) to $64.13/barrel, while February WTI which expires today rose 25 cents (0.4%) to $59.69/barrel. The more active March WTI contract also edged higher to around $59.42/barrel. This strengthening was driven by news from China, the world's largest oil importer. The Chinese economy reportedly grew 5.0% through 2025, meeting the government's target. Refinery activity also increased, with refinery throughput rising 4.1% and crude oil...
Gold (XAU/USD) rose to around $4,345 during the Asian session on January 2, approaching $4,350, supported by expectations of a Fed rate cut and safe-haven flows. Throughout 2025, gold has surged around 65%, its strongest since 1979, while the FOMC minutes signaled that most officials still leave open the possibility of further rate cuts if inflation continues to decline.Meanwhile, the Israel-Iran conflict and US-Venezuela tensions are maintaining gold demand, but gains could be restrained by profit-taking and the CME's policy of increasing margins on gold/silver contracts, forcing traders to...
Gold prices fell in trading today, Wednesday (December 31, 2025), as profit-taking took place ahead of the end of the year. Gold's movement was also pressured by the strengthening US dollar and quiet market conditions as many investors reduced activity ahead of the New Year holiday. Fundamentally, the pressure on gold stems from the market's continued scrutiny of the interest rate policies of major central banks. Although gold's long-term prospects remain supported by global economic uncertainty, in the short term, investors tend to be cautious and prefer to wait for new sentiment at the...
Silver prices fell to around $72 per ounce on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, as the year drew to a close. Price movements were limited due to thin trading volumes due to the New Year holiday, while investors preferred to await global market direction before making major decisions. Silver's fundamentals remain strong, as interest in the precious metal as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty remains high. Although some investors took profits after prices briefly hit record levels, positive sentiment stemmed from expectations of loose central bank monetary policy, maintaining...
Oil prices held steady on Tuesday (December 30), with Brent hovering around $62 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) above $58. Geopolitical tensions, such as those between Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, supported prices, despite concerns about a global oversupply. Venezuela began shutting oil wells due to a US blockade, resulting in full oil storage. Meanwhile, Trump confirmed a US attack on Venezuelan facilities and vowed to attack Iran if the country continues its nuclear program. Despite geopolitical pressure, global oil production continues to rise, with OPEC+ increasing output...
Gold prices (XAU/USD) edged higher above $4,350 in early European trading on Tuesday (December 30), recovering from a 4.5% drop in the previous session—the biggest daily decline since October. This profit-taking was triggered by increased margin requirements for gold and silver futures contracts on the CME exchange, which prompted many investors to rebalance their portfolios. Despite the sharp decline, gold's downside potential is now limited due to expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in 2026. Furthermore, global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions keep the...