Joyce, just to pick up where we left off because we were talking about what we're seeing in the currency markets and what we're seeing with the dollar. Um, and so what are the dynamics just to pick this up and then throw it to our panel here um that are going to matter most. Well, so I would dis dismiss a lot of the talk about a Davos accord and even the DD dollarization I think that's exaggerated.But the weaker dollar, the bearish dollar trade, I think is here to stay and I think that is because we're at a ...

We got the latest CPI inflation read for Australia today, and it came in hotter than expected at 3.8% in the 12mth to December CY2025; trimmed mean or core inflation is lower, too, at 3.3% but still sticky, and outside the target band.Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.So what does that mean for us investors? Well, it’s looking like Australia is going to take one big backwards step and raise ...

Core Insights - Silver prices have reached new highs, driven by increased safe-haven demand amid geopolitical tensions and trade frictions, with a year-to-date gain of approximately 34.47% in January and nearly 220% over the past year, significantly outperforming gold's 78.55% increase [1][10] Group 1: Economic Factors - A decline in the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) by 0.99% over the past five days and 9.12% over the past year enhances global demand for silver, making it more affordable for international buyers [2] - Anticipation of further Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 is expected to weaken the U.S. dollar, making silver more attractive to investors [3] Group 2: Geopolitical Influences - Ongoing geopolitical tensions, including U.S. military actions and trade disputes, have contributed to market volatility and increased interest in safe-haven assets like silver [4][7] Group 3: Industrial Demand - Silver's unique properties make it essential in various industries, including technology and clean energy, with applications ranging from medical equipment to solar power systems and electric vehicles [5][6] Group 4: Investment Opportunities - The performance of silver ETFs has been notable, with iShares Silver Trust (SLV) gaining 147.86% over the past year, abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) up 148.31%, and Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) increasing by 165.93% [12][13][14] - A long-term investment strategy is recommended for those looking to increase exposure to silver, particularly in a volatile market [11]

Silver ETFs - Silver ETFs gained attention in 2025 due to significant price increases in India, driven by local shortages that inflated prices above global benchmarks [1][2] - The supply deficit in the physical silver market is expected to persist, potentially impacting new investments in Silver ETFs [1] - The strong performance of silver is attributed to its dual role as a precious metal and an industrial commodity, with high industrial demand contributing to price increases [2] Gold ETFs - Gold ETFs reached new all-time highs in 2025, with returns up to 78.76%, led by Axis Gold ETF [5] - Investors turned to gold as a hedge against uncertainty and equity volatility, appreciating the liquidity and transparency of gold ETFs [4] - The outlook for gold in 2026 is influenced by real yields, the US dollar, and central bank demand, with forecasts suggesting prices could stabilize around $4,500–$5,000 [6] Consumption Funds - Consumption funds attracted interest following the restructuring of the goods and services tax (GST) in September 2025, which aimed to improve household disposable incomes [7][8] - Despite the potential for recovery, consumption funds have faced losses since the implementation of GST 2.0, with significant declines observed in specific funds [9] - A gradual recovery in consumption growth is anticipated in 2026, driven by improved consumer confidence and discretionary spending [10] International Funds - International funds outperformed domestic funds in 2025, with average returns of 27.06%, bolstered by the depreciation of the Indian rupee [11][12] - Notable performances included the NASDAQ 100 and S&P 500, which delivered returns of 23.18% and 20.60%, respectively [12][23] - The recommendation for investors is to allocate 10–20% to international funds, focusing primarily on US markets [14] Auto Sector Funds - Auto sector funds experienced significant growth in 2025, supported by strong domestic consumption and lower input costs [15] - Average returns for auto sector funds were 17.15% in the current calendar year, although future performance may be more selective due to higher valuations [16][17] - The sector is expected to be suitable for tactical allocations rather than core holdings in 2026 [17] Technology Sector Funds - Technology sector funds were among the worst performers in 2025, with the Nifty IT index declining by 9% year-to-date [18][20] - Factors impacting performance included delayed tech projects due to macroeconomic uncertainties and policy issues, leading to a negative average return of 3.10% for tech funds [19][20] - There is cautious optimism for a rebound in the tech sector as demand improves and AI opportunities become clearer, although recovery is expected to be gradual [21][22]

Core Insights - Gold and silver prices reached record highs in December, with gold at $4,500 per ounce, marking a 70% increase for the year, while silver surged 140% year-to-date as of December 23, 2025 [1][2] Group 1: Silver's Performance - Silver's significant gains reflect its historical behavior in precious metal bull markets, typically lagging behind gold initially before experiencing sharp catch-up rallies [2] - Over the past five years, silver had underperformed gold until a recent surge, with 99% of the 140% year-to-date gains in iShares Silver Trust (SLV) occurring in the last six months [3] - The gold-silver ratio has narrowed from approximately 104-to-1 in April to about 64-to-1 currently, indicating silver's rapid momentum relative to gold [4] Group 2: Factors Driving Silver's Rise - Silver is considered more affordable than gold, allowing investors to accumulate larger quantities despite price volatility, which may lead to stronger performance in 2026 [5] - The Federal Reserve's potential for easier monetary policies in 2026 could enhance the appeal of non-yielding metals like silver, especially with a new Fed chair likely favoring rate cuts [6] - Silver's industrial usage is higher than gold, with lower borrowing costs potentially encouraging projects that utilize silver's conductive properties, particularly in electronics and clean energy [7] Group 3: Supply and Demand Dynamics - Silver has been in a structural deficit since 2021, with a cumulative supply shortfall nearing 800 million ounces (25,000 tons) from 2021 to 2025, driven by demand from the electrical and electronics sector [8] - Gold demand surged in 2025 due to record investments and central bank purchases, although weaker jewelry volumes have been a drag on overall demand [9] Group 4: Investment Options - Investors can gain exposure to precious metals through various digital options such as ETFs and mining stocks, with specific silver ETFs including SLV and SIVR, and silver mining stocks like SIL and SILJ [10] - Gold investment options include ETFs such as GLD and IAU, along with mining stocks like GDX and GDXJ [11]

2025 has been a remarkable year for precious metals, but one metal has truly stood out. Silver has surged more than 130% year-to-date, trading around $69 per ounce on Tuesday. This performance has far exceeded gold's 68%+ gain. • iShares Silver Trust stock is challenging resistance. Why is SLV stock breaking out?Also, for investors concerned about high valuations in booming tech sectors, this shift has brought attention back to tangible assets. These provide a safety net against market volatility and tap i ...

Core Insights - The article highlights a significant bullish surge in the silver market, marking one of the biggest market booms of 2025 [1] Industry Summary - The silver market is experiencing a notable increase in demand, contributing to its bullish trend [1] - This surge in silver prices is indicative of broader market trends and investor sentiment towards precious metals [1]

Core Insights - Silver has experienced a significant bull run in 2026, indicating strong market performance and investor interest in the metal [1] Industry Summary - The silver market has shown remarkable growth, suggesting a potential shift in investor sentiment towards precious metals [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current trends and developments in the cryptocurrency market, highlighting the impact of regulatory changes and market dynamics on investment opportunities and risks in the sector [4]. Group 1: Market Trends - The cryptocurrency market has seen significant fluctuations, with Bitcoin and Ethereum experiencing notable price changes over the past month, reflecting investor sentiment and market speculation [4]. - Regulatory scrutiny is increasing globally, with various governments considering stricter regulations on cryptocurrency exchanges and initial coin offerings (ICOs), which could affect market stability and investor confidence [4]. Group 2: Investment Opportunities - Despite the volatility, there are emerging opportunities in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are gaining traction among investors looking for innovative financial solutions [4]. - Institutional interest in cryptocurrencies is growing, with more hedge funds and asset managers allocating a portion of their portfolios to digital assets, indicating a shift in mainstream acceptance [4].

Core Insights - Silver has significantly outperformed gold in recent years, despite a lack of media coverage on this trend [1] Group 1 - The performance of silver has surpassed that of gold over the past few years [1]