On Wednesday, ahead of the North American equity market open, Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD, TSX: ABX) reported a 69% increase in net earnings to $2.14 billion and a 51% rise in adjusted net earnings to $2.21 billion, significantly beating analyst expectations. The company also noted that its annual operating cash flow in 2024 increased by 20% to $4.49 billion, while free cash flow more than doubled to $1.32 billion.
Source – KITCO News
The silver market has been somewhat sideways over the last few weeks, but the Wednesday session could provide enough information to get people moving again.
Silver fell in the early hours of Wednesday as we have tested the crucial $33 level again. This is an area that of course has been like a magnet for price for some time.
Talks between the United States and China are seemingly a thing now, and that, of course, will help the idea of industrial demand for silver, but it takes away that precious metal trade as well.
Source – FX Empire
Source – MSN
Zinc, the biggest loser in the LME complex, is currently trading 4.8% lower than at the start of the year.
Meanwhile, tin prices have increased by 13.5% in the first few weeks of the year, making it the biggest winner.
Copper refining grew as expected at 4.2%, but mine production surprised at 2.3%, 0.5% higher than the ICSG September forecast.
The supply of refined copper is under threat due to mine production, which has put downward pressure on processing fees in copper smelters, according to Commerzbank.
The lead market experienced a minor oversupply due to a substantial increase in mine production.
This increase, just under 2%, was fueled by significantly higher supply in the US, Australia, Peru, and Mexico.
Source – Invezz
Phoenix-based Freeport also boosted its budget for the year by roughly 5% to $4.4 billion and forecast an increase for next year as well, surprising investors.
On an adjusted basis, the company earned 31 cents per share in the quarter, compared with the analysts’ average estimate of 20 cents per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Source – Reuters
Source – MSN
Spot gold eased 0.2% to $2,758.49 per ounce by 09:55 a.m. ET (1455 GMT), while U.S. gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,775.60, widening the premium over spot gold rates.
“However, the Fed’s commentary in regards to the potential for an interest rate cut in the March meeting is going to be in focus,” said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
Elsewhere, spot silver gained 1.7% to $30.92 per ounce, platinum also added 0.5% to $946.45. Palladium was up 0.8% to $962.50.
Source – Reuters
