Group 1 - Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have escalated further [1] - Frictions between China and Japan remain elevated [1] - Risks in Eastern Europe continue to increase [1]

Market Performance - NASDAQ 100 index is up approximately 22% year-to-date [3] - S&P 500 index has increased by about 18% [3] - Russell 2000 small cap index is up around 16% year-to-date [4] - Dow Jones index has risen by approximately 15% [4] - Technology sector has seen the best performance, increasing by about 25% year-to-date [4] - Communication services sector is up approximately 21% [4] - Gold has increased by 65% and silver by 139% [5] ETF Performance - iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners ETF is up about 206% [7] - Global X Gold Explorer ETF (GOEX) has increased by approximately 195% [7] - ProShares S&P Global Core Battery Metal ETF (ION) is up about 106% [9] - Sprott Critical Materials ETF has risen by approximately 96% [9] - Global X Disruptive Materials ETF (DMAT) is also up about 96% [9] - VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has increased by approximately 94% [9] - Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) is up about 77% [13] - Stoxx Europe Aerospace and Defence ETF (EAD) has risen by approximately 73% [13] Key Drivers & Themes - Gains in gold are driven by persistent central bank buying [5] - Precious metals benefit from investors seeking alternatives to US dollar denominated assets [6] - Critical materials are driven by electrification, digitization, clean energy transition, and supply chain concentration [8] - Rising geopolitical tensions are fueling a boom in defense spending [13]

Gold rose to another record, extending gains on heightened geopolitical tensions and bets on more US interest-rate cuts https://t.co/DM68d7ZURm ...

>> THIS IS HORIZONS MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA. TOP STORIES THIS MORNING. ASIAN STOCKS RISE AS TRADERS GEAR UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH HIGH HOPES FOR A YEAR AND A SANTA RALLY.THE U.S. PURSUES A THIRD VENEZUELAN TANKER AS PRESIDENT TRUMP INTENSIFIES THE OIL BLOCKADE. AND AXIOS REPORTS THAT ISRAEL'S WARNING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER IRAN'S MISSILE EXERCISE SAYING IT COULD BE PREPARING FOR A STRIKE ON ISRAEL. WE ARE LIVE IN JERUSALEM WITH THE DETAILS.9:00 A. M. ACROSS THE EMIRATES AND 5:00 A.M. HERE IN LONDON. I'M ...

Prices of gold and silver climbed to record highs, amid growing geopolitical tensions that typically bolster the safe-haven appeal of precious metals. ...

Gold rose to an all-time high, with heightened geopolitical tensions and bets on more Federal Reserve rate cuts adding impetus to the best annual performance in more than four decades. https://t.co/VJM7QTeoAa📷: Akos Stiller/Bloomberg https://t.co/VwnvSQVVwI ...

Silver rose to a record and gold edged higher on heightened geopolitical tensions and expectations for more Federal Reserve rate cuts next year https://t.co/HvnrIaENYn ...

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices increased during the morning Asian session due to heightened geopolitical tensions, which typically boost the demand for safe-haven assets like gold [1] Group 1 - The rise in gold prices is attributed to geopolitical tensions that enhance its appeal as a safe-haven investment [1]

Key TakeawaysSaipem (SPM.MI) has secured a substantial $4 billion offshore Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract from QatarEnergy LNG, reinforcing its critical role in Qatar's strategy to sustain and expand its natural gas production.Israel is reportedly compiling a comprehensive intelligence dossier aimed at persuading former President Donald Trump to initiate a new military strike against Iran, focusing on alleged advancements in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.This devel ...

Core Insights - Gold and silver prices are near record highs, supported by slower-than-expected inflation in the US, which bolsters expectations for interest rate cuts [1][2] - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts and ambiguous future monetary policy have led traders to assign a 20% chance of a rate reduction in January [2] - Geopolitical tensions, particularly in Venezuela, have increased gold's appeal as a safe-haven asset [3] Market Performance - Precious metals are experiencing significant gains, with gold and silver on track for their best annual performances since 1979; silver has more than doubled, while gold has increased by nearly two-thirds [4] - Spot gold reached an all-time high of over $4,381 in October, while silver traded near a record of $66.89 [6] Investment Trends - Falling US interest rates have prompted ETF investors to compete for limited bullion alongside central banks, indicating strong demand for gold [5] - Analysts expect that high central-bank demand and cyclical support from Federal Reserve cuts will continue to drive gold prices higher [5] - Platinum has also seen substantial growth, more than doubling this year, with prices exceeding $1,980 an ounce, the highest since 2008 [5]