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...
Silver is strong as the global market faces a fifth consecutive year of structural deficits. According to the Silver Institute, although supply is expected to increase slightly by around 1%, overall demand is projected to decline by -4%. This deficit is primarily driven by increased investment allocations to silver ETPs, with investors targeting silver as a hedge against geopolitical and macroeconomic risks. On the industrial front, demand for silver remains high as a vital component of green technology, particularly in the electronics, electric vehicle, and solar panel sectors. However,...
Silver prices (XAG/USD) were stable around $50.84 per ounce on November 17, 2025, up slightly after last month's correction. Sentiment was supported by the fact that the overall precious metals market was under scrutiny following various delayed US economic data. Investor interest in silver remains high as global supply is expected to be in deficit for the fifth consecutive year, strengthening the potential for long-term upside. However, the market is also cautious. Although documentation suggests that silver prices could reach their medium-term target above $53 per ounce, the potential for...
Gold prices edged up to around $4,084/oz after two days of declines of more than 3%. This occurred amid diminishing expectations for a Fed interest rate cut next month, as several US central bank officials signaled their uncertainty about further rate cuts.Although interest rates could potentially remain high in the short term, gold is still supported by expectations that the Fed will increase liquidity through Treasury bill purchases and gradually move towards a more lenient policy. This has maintained interest in gold, while other precious metals such as silver, platinum, and palladium...
On Friday, November 14, 2025, global silver prices continued to rise and remained near this year's peak, around USD 52-53 per troy ounce. Within a week, silver had surged nearly 10%, making it one of the best weekly performers of 2025 and bringing prices back near last October's record high. This increase was supported by a combination of a weakening US dollar and continued strong investor interest in safe-haven assets following the end of the US government shutdown, which had disrupted economic data releases. Beyond short-term sentiment, silver's bigger story stems from its long-term...
Oil prices are heading for a third week of decline due to concerns about a global supply glut. The IEA has again raised its surplus projection and even predicted a record oversupply next year, as OPEC+ continues to increase production while demand remains sluggish. WTI in December was trading around USD 58.87 per barrel, and Brent in January was around USD 63.01 per barrel. However, this downward pressure has been somewhat offset by the risk of US sanctions against Russian energy giants like Rosneft and Lukoil. Lukoil's trading business has begun downsizing staff, and there are reports that...