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 prices fell below $4,000 an ounce early in the Asian session on Monday (November 3rd) after China ended a long-standing tax break for some retailers. This new policy could depress demand in the world's largest gold market, which had been fueled by the tax incentive. Gold bullion for immediate delivery briefly fell 1% before paring most of the intraday losses.On Saturday, Beijing announced that it would no longer allow retailers to offset value-added tax when selling gold purchased from the Shanghai Gold Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange. This move covers both live and processed...
Silver prices moved sideways during the European session on Friday (October 31st), holding in the high range of around $49 per ounce. The market remained cautious as the dollar remained strong and gold corrected, while Jerome Powell's statement that a December Fed rate cut was unlikely to happen dampened expectations of further easing.Liquidity pressures that triggered a short squeeze earlier in the month eased as rents in London fell, but volatility remained high—buy the dip and sell the rally strategies were dominated until new triggers from US data or US-China trade news. The silver...
Gold prices weakened to around $4,010 an ounce on Friday, poised for a second weekly decline. Pressure stemmed from fading hopes for a Fed rate cut after Jerome Powell asserted that a December rate cut was "not guaranteed," keeping the dollar at a high level and dampening gold buying appetite. Safe-haven sentiment also eased after the US and China reached a one-year trade truce on rare earths, easing supply concerns for the high-tech industry. However, gold remains on track for monthly gains thanks to support from central bank purchases. A World Gold Council report showed central banks...
Silver prices are trading in the $46-$48/oz range with high volatility. The two driving forces remain the same: safe-haven sentiment (global uncertainty + Fed rate cut expectations) and industrial demand (solar/electrification), which maintains buying interest as yields fall. Even if the Fed cuts rates again, the policy tone going forward remains crucial. If Powell sounds less dovish in December, the dollar could strengthen briefly and pressure silver; conversely, signals of further easing tend to support silver. On the physical side, the market is still weighing tight London spot supply...
Gold prices moved cautiously at the start of the Asian session; spot gold was around $3,944,000/oz at the time of writing. Pressure stemmed from comments by Jerome Powell, who emphasized that a December interest rate cut was not a certainty, prompting market participants to reduce bets on further easing. This statement also boosted the dollar and Treasury yields, thus dampening interest in non-coupon gold.Meanwhile, the Fed's decision to cut interest rates by 25 bps and end its balance sheet contraction on December 1st continued to increase liquidity and lower short-term real interest...