Gold and silver had a rocky end to a year that saw the precious metals reach all-time highs.After trading at new highs in thin, post-Christmas trading, both metals collapsed Monday in a margin-driven selloff, rebounded sharply Tuesday — then slid again early Wednesday as the bounce ran out of steam.Gold sank more than 4% Monday to around $4,355 an ounce after peaking near $4,565 late last week, before clawing back ground Tuesday as dip buyers rushed in. 3 Gold and silver were slammed by a violent selloff ...

Oil prices are barreling toward their worst year since the Covid crash. A flood of non-OPEC supply and cooling demand has knocked crude prices down about 20%. Russia is feeling the squeeze as low prices and sanctions hammer oil revenues and growth. Oil prices are on track for their steepest annual drop since the Covid-era crash in 2020, battered by fears of a deepening supply glut — and compounding economic pressure on Russia as sanctions and discounts bite harder. US benchmark West Texas Intermed ...

Core Viewpoint - Oil prices are experiencing a decline as traders conclude a year marked by oversupply concerns, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting the market [1][2] Group 1: Price Movements - Brent crude is currently priced at $61.12 per barrel, reflecting a decrease of 0.35% [1] - WTI crude is trading at $57.74 per barrel, down 0.4% [1] - For the year, Brent crude has fallen over 18%, while WTI has decreased nearly 20% [2] Group 2: Geopolitical Factors - Recent advancements in Russia-Ukraine peace talks have reduced the geopolitical premium on oil prices [2] - The U.S. blockade on Venezuelan oil exports had previously contributed to a temporary rally in oil prices [1]

Group 1 - Jim Wyckoff has over 25 years of experience in stock, financial, and commodity markets, including roles as a financial journalist and reporter on commodity futures trading floors in Chicago and New York [1] - He has covered every futures market traded in the U.S. at various times throughout his career [1] - Jim is the owner of "Jim Wyckoff on the Markets," which provides analytical, educational, and trading advisory services [2] Group 2 - He has worked as a technical analyst for Dow Jones Newswires and as a senior market analyst with TraderPlanet.com [2] - Jim is also a consultant for the "Pro Farmer" agricultural advisory service and was the head equities analyst at CapitalistEdge.com [2] - He holds a degree in journalism and economics from Iowa State University [2]

Group 1 - Gold prices fell in early Asian trade, indicating a potential shift in market sentiment [1] - Safe-haven demand for gold may remain elevated due to intensifying geopolitical tensions [1] - Expectations of a more accommodative U.S. monetary policy could further support gold prices [1]

Key TakeawaysTaiwan was hit by a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake late Saturday, marking the second significant seismic event this week, though initial reports indicate no major damage.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared his country is facing a "comprehensive war" waged by the United States, Europe, and Israel, signaling a dramatic escalation in geopolitical rhetoric.NEC (6701.T) has ceased its 4G and 5G base station development efforts, a strategic retreat attributed to its shrinking market share ...

Core Insights - Precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum, have reached all-time highs, driven by geopolitical tensions and a weakening US dollar [1][2] - Gold is projected to achieve its largest annual gain since 1979, with a rise of over 70% [3] - Silver has experienced a remarkable 160% rally in 2025, influenced by speculative inflows and supply disruptions [7] Gold Market - Spot gold reached a new all-time high of $4,540 per ounce, with February futures trading as high as $4,584 before settling at $4,555 [1] - Central bank purchases and inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have significantly supported gold prices, with the SPDR Gold Shares ETF increasing holdings by over 20% in 2025 [3] - The World Gold Council reported that physically-backed gold ETFs attracted $82 billion, equivalent to 749 tonnes, by December 22 [3] - Analysts suggest that the current momentum in gold prices reflects strong physical demand and macroeconomic risk sensitivity, indicating underlying conviction rather than speculation [4] Silver Market - March silver futures surged over 9% to $78.30, with significant trading activity noted [2] - The silver market has been characterized by a historic short squeeze and ongoing supply issues, particularly in major trading hubs [7][8] - Analysts highlight the need for physical silver to cover paper trades, as demand outstrips available supply [9] Platinum and Palladium - Platinum prices increased by 10% to $2,475, while palladium rose by 13% to surpass $2,000 per ounce [2] - The overall trend in precious metals indicates a strong bullish sentiment as year-end approaches, with investors showing reluctance to take profits [6]

Crude futures picked up from early losses and added to yesterday's gains as the U.S. steps up actions in the Caribbean to cut off Venezuela's oil trade and increase pressure on the country's strongman Nicolás Maduro. Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela remain high, while Russia-Ukraine peace talks are going slowly, he adds. WTI settled up 0.6% at $58.38 a barrel, and Brent gained 0.5% to $62.38. "Geopolitical tensions remain the near-term driver for crude prices as traders await signs that global suppli ...

Key TakeawaysA $22.8 billion acquisition of global ports by a consortium led by BlackRock (BLK) and MSC is facing collapse as China's COSCO Shipping Holdings (601919.SS, 1919.HK) demands a majority stake, prompting the buyers to consider withdrawing.Spain is set to launch a new nationwide public transport card in January 2026, which the Spanish Transport Minister estimates will cost the state 1.37 billion euros, offering users a flat monthly fee of €60.The New Zealand Dollar surged 0.84% to $0.5842, marking ...

Core Insights - The metals market is experiencing record highs, particularly in gold, silver, and copper, driven by various factors including geopolitical tensions and economic conditions [1][2][5] - Gold has seen a significant increase of over 66% this year, influenced by expectations of lower interest rates in the US and a decline in trust towards central banks [2][3] - Analysts, including Goldman Sachs, predict that gold could reach $4,900 next year, especially if private investors increase their exposure to the metal [3][5] Market Dynamics - The current market for precious metals is characterized by high volatility, particularly in smaller markets like silver, platinum, and palladium, which can experience sharp price movements [4] - There is a prevailing bullish sentiment among analysts regarding gold, with many expecting continued upward momentum due to ongoing geopolitical uncertainties [5][6] - The lack of significant private investment in gold thus far suggests that further inflows could drive prices even higher [6]