Market Overview - The market is starting slow but is expected to pick up pace throughout the day, particularly with large-cap tech earnings after the bell [1] - Mortgage applications data has come in soft, with a notable decline of 8.5% in overall applications, driven by rising mortgage rates [2][3] Mortgage Applications - The 10-year yield has fluctuated from 6.13% to 6.3% and back to 6.25% over the last 10 days, impacting 30-year mortgage rates which rose from 6.16% to 6.24% [2] - Refinances have seen a significant drop of 15.7%, indicating sensitivity to rising mortgage rates [2] Technology Sector - Positive news from Nvidia and China is expected to boost stocks like Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom [3] - Memory stocks are also showing upward movement, contributing to a generally positive sentiment in the tech sector [4] Currency Impact - The US dollar is at four-year lows, which may benefit multinational companies by making US goods and services cheaper for foreign buyers [4][5] - Historical context shows that the dollar has traded lower in previous years, suggesting that a weaker dollar can have positive implications for exports [6][7] Earnings Reports - Major earnings reports from companies such as Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Tesla, and IBM are anticipated, with Microsoft showing a rally leading into its report [9][10] - There are questions surrounding Meta Platforms' spending and Tesla's future beyond electric vehicles, including potential developments in full self-driving and other technologies [11][12]

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]

Singapore state investor Temasek has been “forced to hedge” the US dollar this year, according to its chief executive officer, calling the greenback’s weakness a big issue for foreign investors https://t.co/gtEHhB7Rkt ...

Group 1 - Gold prices are approaching a new record, with UBS analysts raising their target price for gold to $3,900 per ounce from $3,700 per ounce in mid-2026 [1] - As of early Friday, gold was priced at $3,684.40 per ounce, surpassing the previous high set earlier in the week [1] - The recent surge in gold prices is attributed to expectations of the Federal Reserve restarting its easing cycle due to weak jobs data, forecasts for broad US dollar weakness, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties [2]