Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady After S&P 500 Hits Record on Strong Economic Data 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Holiday-Thinned Trading Persists 
Asian Stocks and Gold Rally as Investors Chase Year-End Gains Amid Dollar Weakness 
US and Japan Fast-Track $550 Billion Strategic Investment Initiative 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
Tokyo Core Inflation Stays Above BOJ Target, Strengthening Case for Further Rate Hikes 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Taiwan Stock Market Ends Higher as Semiconductor and Energy Shares Lead Gains 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
Oil Prices Rise on Venezuela Sanctions and Nigeria Airstrikes Despite Annual Losses 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Gold and silver prices surged to fresh record highs on Friday, extending a strong year-end rally as investors rushed into safe-haven assets amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a weakening U.S. dollar. Precious metals benefited from heightened global uncertainty, thin holiday trading, and growing expectations of future monetary easing by the Federal Reserve.
Spot gold rose 0.6% to $4,506.76 per ounce, after touching an intraday record of $4,530.60. U.S. gold futures for February delivery climbed 0.7% to $4,537.55. For the week, gold prices were on track to gain nearly 3%, reflecting robust demand from investors seeking protection against geopolitical risks and macroeconomic volatility.
Silver outperformed gold, with spot silver prices surging more than 4% to a new all-time high of $75.14 per ounce. The metal was set to post a weekly gain of over 7%, supported by both safe-haven flows and strong industrial demand. Silver’s critical role in electronics, renewable energy, and clean technology continued to underpin its appeal alongside rising investment inflows.
Geopolitical developments played a central role in driving demand for precious metals. Market sentiment was rattled after the United States increased pressure on Venezuela’s oil exports, fueling concerns over supply disruptions and regional instability. Additional unease emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American forces had conducted strikes against militant targets in Nigeria, reinforcing fears of expanding global conflict risks.
The rally was further supported by persistent weakness in the U.S. dollar, which slipped against major currencies. Expectations that the Federal Reserve may begin easing monetary policy in 2026, as inflation cools and economic growth slows, have weighed on the greenback. Lower U.S. Treasury yields have also boosted non-yielding assets like gold and silver, as investors shift portfolios toward long-term stores of value.
With holiday-thinned liquidity likely to exaggerate price swings, analysts believe underlying fundamentals still point to continued strength in gold and silver heading into the new year, supported by geopolitical uncertainty, monetary policy expectations, and sustained investment demand.
