Copper’s rise is being driven “solely by supply concerns surrounding the potential for universal tariffs to be placed on all imports of copper into the U.S.,” said Natalie Scott-Gray, a senior metals demand analyst at StoneX. The U.S. is “heavily reliant on foreign copper, with imports accounting for [around] 45% of demand.”
Copper prices have climbed more than 23% in 2025 through Monday, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
Source – Market Watch
January 1, 2026, a significant regulatory shift took hold in Washington State, fundamentally altering the landscape for physical metal investors. The implementation of Engrossed Senate Substitute Bill (ESSB) 5794 officially repealed the state’s long-standing sales tax exemption on precious metal bullion and monetized coins. For the first time since 1985, residents in the Evergreen State must now pay a statewide 6.5% sales tax—plus local surtaxes that can push the total levy as high as 10.6%—on every ounce of gold or silver they acquire.
The most immediate losers of this policy shift are the brick-and-mortar dealers within Washington State. Historically, these businesses drew customers from across the Pacific Northwest, but they now face a stark competitive disadvantage against neighboring Oregon, which has no sales tax, and Idaho, which maintains its bullion exemption.
Source – Financial Content
Devastating to learn that Washington’s 40 years of no tax on gold and silver has taken effect this year. We are in March now since this has started but what a shame for this to have happened. I hope all businesses stay strong and speak to those who can help change this tax law back to the way it was. Good luck!
-V.
Gold prices in India skyrocketed by Rs 6,250 on Friday to reach a historic high of Rs 96,450 per 10 grams in the national capital, fuelled by robust demand from local jewellers and soaring global prices driven by heightened US-China trade tensions, according to the All India Sarafa Association.
Gold of 99.9% purity also saw a significant jump, closing at Rs 96,450 compared to Wednesday’s Rs 90,200.
Silver too followed suit, leaping Rs 2,300 to settle at Rs 95,500 per kg from its earlier close of Rs 93,200, mirroring the bullish global momentum.
Comex gold futures climbed to a record USD 3,249.16 per ounce, signalling strong safe-haven demand.
“Comex gold prices hit lifetime highs due to surging safe-haven demand, triggered by fears of a deepening global economic slowdown and further retaliation between the US and China,” said Kaynat Chainwala, AVP-Commodity Research at Kotak Securities.
Source – The Times of India
A surge in rates to borrow the precious metal has become the latest sign of alarm, with anxiety building over the impact of further tariffs from US President Donald Trump. That’s sparked a dash to ship silver into the US in a bid to capture premium prices in New York, possibly causing a squeeze in London.
“Should the long-fabled ‘silver squeeze’ materialize, this slower tradeflow will be a key contributor to prolonging” any potential disruption BMO Capital Markets analyst George Heppel said in a note. That’s because it would take time for silver stockpiles to flow from the US back to London, he said.
Source – Mining Weekly
A man has denied knowing gold he was trying to help someone sell came from a golden toilet stolen at Blenheim Palace.
Fred Doe admitted putting James Sheen, who has previously pleaded guilty to stealing the toilet, in touch with gold dealer Bora Guccuk but said he would “never in a million years” have dealt with him if he had known it was stolen.
Mr Jones, 39, from Oxford, Mr Doe, previously known as Frederick Sines, 36, from Windsor, and 41-year-old Mr Guccuk, from west London, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges they face.
Source – BBC
The trial is still ongoing. Wow! And the “jurors heard the toilet was most likely broken up and has never been recovered.” How will they prosecute these thieves? Will they get prosecuted? Do they have enough evidence? So many questions! I’ll keep this updated. – V.
Spot gold was up 2.2% to $3,299.85 an ounce as of 1107 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,317.90 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures gained 2.3% to $3,315.80.
“Trump’s trade war shows no signs of easing… sparking a fresh move towards safe havens and out of stocks,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.
Spot silver rose 2% to $32.94 an ounce, platinum was up 0.1% to $960.85, and palladium gained 0.6% to $977.09.
Source – Reuters
Spot gold steadied at $2,795.52 per ounce by 11:18 GMT, after hitting a record peak of $2,800.99 earlier in the session. Prices rose more than 6% for the month and 1% for the week.
“The rally could hold for as long as there is uncertainty in the market. A lot of today’s uncertainty stems from not knowing whether and how tariffs will be applied,” said WisdomTree commodities strategist Nitesh Shah.
“We see central bank buying as the strongest structural force in the gold market, underpinning our long-term constructive view,” said Carsten Menke, analyst at Julius Baer.
Source – Reuters
