Precious metals news

In rare form today, TFMetals decided to throw Newmont under the bus on "X" or Twitter.  This was likely due to Newmont's dismal Q4 2023 results, reporting a $3.1 billion net income loss for the period.  Turd used several expletives to describe the performance of the world's largest gold mining company...

Amid the financial community's growing optimism about interest rate cuts and economic recovery, PIMCO, the U.S. bond behemoth, throws in a word of caution, suggesting that both equity and fixed income markets might be underestimating the looming threats. Despite expectations for the Federal Reserve to lower rates within the year, PIMCO warns that the pace of these changes might not be as swift as markets hope. Dan Ivascyn, PIMCO’s group chief investment officer, highlights a strategic shift from lower-rated credit to higher-quality, securitized assets over the past year, aiming for resilience and value in uncertain economic waters. This move underscores a broader concern: the risk of an economic downturn or inflation re-accelerating remains a significant threat, contrary to the market's current pricing.

The global foreign exchange market, with an estimated value of $752.7 billion in 2023, is on a trajectory to reach $1023.91 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. This expansion is attributed to the dynamic roles of reporting dealers who ensure liquidity by continually offering buy and sell prices for foreign currencies, thus significantly influencing daily forex market capacities. This article analyzes the 15 weakest currencies in the world in 2024.

President Joe Biden's administration has made another significant move by cancelling $1.2 billion in federal student loans, benefiting over 150,000 borrowers. This action is part of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, introduced in January, aimed at providing relief to Americans who have been repaying their student loans for at least ten years. Specifically targeting individuals who borrowed under $12,000 for their education, this initiative marks a step towards alleviating the financial burden of higher education. This latest cancellation brings the total student loan relief under the Biden administration to nearly $138 billion, affecting nearly 3.9 million borrowers. With 6.9 million people enrolled in the SAVE program, the number of beneficiaries is expected to rise, although the exact figure remains undetermined.

In their latest meeting, Federal Reserve officials struck a cautious tone on the prospect of lowering interest rates, emphasizing a balanced approach towards inflation control. Despite acknowledging a significant reduction in inflation from its peak in mid-2022, the highest in over four decades, officials underscored the necessity of more evidence before considering policy easing. The minutes revealed a consensus that, although the period of rate hikes might have concluded, any reduction in the federal funds rate would be premature without solid assurance that inflation is on a steady decline towards the Fed's 2% goal.

South Africa's inflation rate edged up for the first time in three months this January, primarily driven by escalating fuel and food costs, marking a modest uptick to 5.3% year-over-year from December's 5.1%. This increase, though slight, has inflation continuing to exceed the central bank's preferred midpoint target of 4.5% for nearly three years, suggesting that the current key interest rate of 8.25%—a peak not seen in almost 15 years—may remain unchanged for some time. Central Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago emphasizes the ongoing challenge of curbing inflation, indicating that rate cuts are off the table until inflation not only approaches but also consistently meets the 4.5% goal.

Mortgage demand is dropping as interest rates breached the 7% threshold, marking a significant setback for prospective homebuyers and refinancers alike. Last week witnessed a sharp 10.6% drop in total application volume, as reported by the Mortgage Bankers Association, driven by the steepest interest rate spike since early December. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage ascended to 7.06%, dampening the spirits of many, with refinance applications falling 11% from the week prior and purchase applications plummeting by 10%. The current scenario places potential homeowners and those looking to refinance in a challenging position, as the cost of borrowing climbs higher, significantly impacting the housing market's dynamics.

Oil prices are caught between tight supplies and the gloomy shadow of economic uncertainty. The tug-of-war in the oil market is evident as Brent Crude nudges just over $82 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate hovers around $77.50, both encapsulated within a $10 trading range that has defined this year's market dynamics. While the specter of high interest rates and the potential for subdued economic growth push traders to shy away from riskier assets like crude oil, the physical markets tell a different story. Here, shortages in refined products have lent strength, with Brent's prompt spread reaching three-month highs, a clear sign of market tightness.

Explore the shocking price hikes, the impact on low-income customers, and how currency devaluation is affecting consumer behavior.

This week, gold has consistently stayed above the $2,000 mark, a sign of the market's high anticipation for insights that could shape the monetary policy landscape. Analysts from ING suggest that the Federal Reserve's policy decisions will be pivotal for gold's price trajectory in the coming months, noting that higher borrowing costs usually have a negative impact on gold prices. Meanwhile, base metals showed mixed performance, with aluminum dropping by 0.5% to $2,186 a ton, whereas copper saw a slight increase of 0.2%, reaching $8,442.0 a ton, reflecting a varied market response across different commodities.

Gold, known for its enduring value and role as a financial safety net, has once again proven its mettle amid fluctuating U.S. interest rates and persistent geopolitical tensions, reaching new heights in December 2023. A graphic created by Sam Parker, utilizing comprehensive data from authoritative sources like Central Banks, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Gold Council, showcases the top 11 countries boasting the largest gold reserves as of September 2023.

In the UK, households are experiencing an increase in disposable income, reaching a nearly two-year high, according to a survey published by the supermarket chain Asda. The report indicates that the average UK household's disposable income rose by 6.1% year-on-year to £230 ($182) per week last month, marking the highest level since March 2022. This positive shift in disposable income has been attributed to several factors, including sustained earnings growth, a slowdown in food price inflation, and recent cuts to National Insurance contribution rates. The Asda income tracker, developed in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research, measures the financial health of UK households by assessing the amount left after taxes and essential bills.

January's inflation data has intensified the complexity of upcoming interest rate decisions for the U.S. Federal Reserve, according to Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin. In a recent interview, Barkin highlighted the persistent issue of inflation, particularly noting the sustained inflation in shelter and services despite a general slowdown in goods prices. While he expressed caution about overemphasizing the January figures due to potential seasonal distortions, he acknowledged that the latest data certainly did not simplify the Fed's task but rather compounded the challenges faced in tempering inflationary pressures.

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What are the "Most Expensive & Cheapest" Gold Mining shares compared to the gold price??  Also, this indicator shows us when is a better time to acquire the gold mining shares and when is a better time to sell.  I analyze the Top 6 Gold Miners in this video update...

U.S. commercial casinos hit a jackpot in 2023, raking in $66.5 billion from gamblers, the industry's most lucrative year to date. This figure represents a significant 10% increase over the previous record set in 2022, an impressive feat considering the economic challenges of the time, including persistent inflation affecting everyday costs like groceries and energy. According to the American Gaming Association, this surge reflects an unprecedented demand for gaming, spanning both traditional casino floors and online platforms. Even the holiday season, typically a time when consumers tighten their belts, saw record-breaking casino wins in December and the final quarter of the year, further emphasizing the robust appetite for gambling among American adults.

Despite predictions of its demise earlier this year, cash remains a powerhouse in the financial landscape. As the Federal Reserve postpones interest rate cuts, a robust influx of investment is evident in money-market funds, with investors adding a staggering $128 billion since the year's start. Corporate treasurers are also on a cash accumulation spree, holding a record $4.4 trillion by the end of the third quarter. This trend is further amplified by the market's seamless absorption of over $1 trillion in Treasury bills since mid-2023, signaling not just the resilience but also the potential for further growth in cash holdings.

For the first time since the summer of 2022, the Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI) no longer forecasts an impending U.S. recession, despite a continuous decline over the past 23 months. In January, the LEI fell 0.4% to 102.7, marking its lowest point since the brief recession in April 2020 triggered by COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns. This change in outlook is attributed to positive contributions from six of the index's ten components over the last six months, signaling a shift away from recession predictions. However, expectations for economic growth in the second and third quarters remain subdued, with projections close to zero, indicating a stagnating economy rather than a contracting one.

The Federal Reserve's journey towards achieving a 'soft landing' for the economy may be bolstered by a remarkable surge in productivity witnessed in the post-Covid era. Wall Street economists are optimistic that the trend of high productivity growth, which has seen an average increase of 3.9% over the last three quarters — a rate more than triple that of the decade before the pandemic — will persist. This productivity boost allows companies to increase wages without raising prices, potentially easing inflation concerns and allowing for a more lenient monetary policy stance.

In January 2024, U.S. retail and food service sales saw a modest increase to $700.3 billion, marking a 0.6% rise from the previous year, according to Census Bureau data. This uptick in consumer spending has contributed to a significant rise in household debt, reaching $17.5 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023, as reported by the Federal Reserve of New York. While increased consumer debt is a concern, the surge in spending is a positive indicator for the economy, given that consumer expenditure plays a vital role in the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Economists, including Christopher Rupkey of FWDBONDS in New York, view this trend as a sign of economic strength, potentially obviating the need for recession forecasts and suggesting a balanced economic climate that could justify interest rate cuts in 2024.