Gold Price Prediction"On the technical front, after a staggering rally of 2025, we don't expect similar returns in 2026. But the current moment may push up prices towards USD 5,000-5,200 and Rs 1,50,000-1,55,000 on the MCX in 2026," Pranav Mer, Vice President, EBG, Commodity & Currency Research, He added that underlying factors for the rally such as monetary policy easing, de-dollarisation, and global trade tensions will continue to dominate in 2026.In the international markets, gold prices climbed by USD 1 ...

Currency Internationalization - China is intensifying efforts to internationalize the Renminbi (RMB) and decrease reliance on the US dollar [1] - RMB overseas lending is increasing significantly [1] - Beijing is creating more channels for foreign investment in Chinese bonds [1] - China has established an alternative payment system to circumvent US sanctions [2] - Several countries, including Angola, Ethiopia, and Kenya, have converted old dollar debts into RMB this year [2] Trade and Investment - A significant portion of the increase in RMB lending is in trade financing [1] - Beijing aims to reduce exposure to policies that weaponize the dollar [1] - More sovereign borrowers are issuing RMB debt due to relatively low interest rates in China [2] - China seeks to increase the RMB's role in global trade and investment while maintaining a closed capital account [3] Strategic Objectives - China does not intend to replace the US dollar as the dominant global currency [3]

Core Viewpoint - The executives of top public sector banks (PSBs) advocate for further consolidation in the banking sector, emphasizing the need for at least two Indian banks to be among the top 20 globally to meet the growing demands of the economy aiming for developed nation status by 2047 [1][3][14]. Group 1: Need for Large Banks - The increasing scale of operations and GDP growth necessitates the presence of large banks in India [14]. - Bankers argue that large banks are essential for underwriting significant projects, with current project sizes ranging from ₹8,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore, compared to previous sizes of ₹800 crore to ₹1,500 crore [6][5]. - The consolidation of PSBs during the pandemic has boosted confidence in managing mergers and amalgamations [4][9]. Group 2: Global Positioning - There is a consensus that India should have at least three to four large banks in the top 100 globally based on total business, market capitalization, and asset size [7]. - The need for large banks is further driven by the de-dollarization trend, which will increase the demand for substantial banking entities [6]. Group 3: Operational Efficiency - Larger banks can optimize costs, with the cost-to-income and cost-to-asset ratios improving as banks grow; in India, these ratios are between 1.5-2%, while globally they are around 1% or lower [17]. - Integration of diverse systems and human resources is critical during consolidation, and large banks can better attract and retain specialized talent in areas like risk management and technology [19][20]. Group 4: Cultural and HR Considerations - Cultural integration is vital for successful mergers, with emphasis on harmonizing the workforce and processes [21]. - Transparency and fairness in handling HR issues during consolidation are essential to ensure that all employees feel included in the process [22].

RT Senator Matt Canavan (@mattjcan)China's bullying to get Australia to join its BRICS de-dollarisation agenda, and to get us more exposed to the yuan, deserves way more attention than it is getting. https://t.co/lXvyMaYxGD ...

Core Insights - The surge in gold prices above $4,000 per ounce is causing a ripple effect in other precious metals due to concerns over the Trump administration's economic policies, which may lead to a devaluation of the U.S. dollar [1][4] - Precious metals like silver, platinum, and palladium are experiencing significant gains amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties, particularly related to U.S. trade policies [2][4] - Despite a remarkable 53.8% year-to-date increase, gold is the worst-performing precious metal this year, while platinum leads with an 83.6% rise, silver has surged 70.4%, and palladium is up 60.5% [3] Precious Metals Performance - Gold's rally has made it the second-largest reserve asset after the U.S. dollar, surpassing the euro in 2024 [5] - Central banks' gold holdings have increased, now accounting for a record high of 24% of total assets, up from 23.3% in the previous quarter [6] - Analysts suggest that while gold may continue to rise, the pace could slow as high prices incentivize new mining operations, potentially increasing future supply [5] Investment Strategies - Analysts recommend investing in hard assets rather than shorting U.S. bonds or equities, with palladium currently favored [7] - The rally in silver is closely tied to record-high gold prices, prompting HSBC to raise its average price forecast for silver to $38.56 per ounce for this year and $44.50 per ounce by 2026 [7]