Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
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.
