Gold prices gained over 1% on Monday as the dollar and U.S. bond yields weakened amid uncertainty over trade talks ahead of a U.S. deadline of August 1 for countries to strike deals or face more tariffs.
Spot gold was up 1.2% at $3,390.79 per ounce at 9:52 ET (1352 GMT). U.S. gold futures were up 1.3% to $3,402.40.
Spot silver gained 1.8% to $38.86 per ounce, platinum rose 2.2% to $1,453.17 and palladium was 3.5% higher at $1,284.46.
Source – Reuters
The footage played at their trial at Oxford Crown Court showed two vehicles driving across the Great Courtyard, before hooded individuals armed with sledgehammers and a large crowbar broke into the palace. One could be seen leaving carrying a golden toilet seat.
The fully functioning lavatory was insured for the sum of $6m (£4.8m), the court heard previously.
“They knew precisely where to go, broke down the wooden door to the cubicle where the toilet was fully plumbed in, removed it, leaving water pouring out of the pipes, and drove away,” prosecutor Julian Christopher KC said previously.
“Clearly such an audacious raid would not have been possible without lots of preparation”, he added,
Source – BBC
I will follow this till the end of the trial. I want to know what happened to the toilet! Maybe you do too. Clearly had to have been planned and to have done it so quickly, from the video evidence anyway. Let’s see what happens. -V.
Silver prices surged to $33 per ounce on Friday, hitting their highest since late October at $33.41, fueled by factors driving gold to record highs.
London Bullion Market Association data revealed an 8.6% drop in silver inventories to 23,528 tons in January, the largest monthly decline since 2016.
Despite bullish trends, analysts caution against silver’s volatility, noting its price movements often exceed gold’s by 2-2.5 times.
Source – Econo Times
Silver price (XAG/USD) hits a fresh weekly high to near $33.20 during North American trading hours on Wednesday. The white metal strengthens as the US Dollar (USD) extends its downside on the United States (US) credit rating erosion in the wake of large debt levels and escalated fiscal imbalances.
Technically, a soft US Dollar makes the Silver price a value bet for investors. Additionally, concerns over US credit erosion improve the safe-haven demand of non-yielding assets, such as Silver.
Source – FX Street
Follow up on Stolen Gold Toilet from art exhibit at Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire
There is no evidence a man on trial in connection with the theft of a £4.8m golden toilet knew the gold he was dealing with was stolen, a jury has been told.
The prosecution said the 41-year-old’s decision not to give evidence meant he failed to answer a number of questions, including what the gold looked like when it was delivered to his jewellers in Hatton Garden.
“What clear evidence is there that Mr Guccuk did anything wrong or criminal?”
Source – BBC
Gold prices fell on Thursday, reversing earlier gains, as U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a potential trade deal with Britain, easing trade tensions and reducing the precious metal’s appeal as a safe-haven investment.
Spot gold was down 0.7% to $3,342.22 an ounce, as of 1157 GMT. U.S. gold futures slipped 1.3% to $3,347.90.
“As it becomes confirmed that there is some sort of trade deal in the wings that could help to firm up the dollar a bit and take some of the steam off of gold,” said Nitesh Shah, commodities strategist at WisdomTree.
Spot silver eased 0.2% to $32.40 an ounce, platinum gained 0.6% to $979.91 and palladium fell 0.2% to $970.91.
Source – Reuters
Gold prices made steady progress last year and have continued that with a very strong start to this year, said George Milling-Stanley, chief gold strategist at State Street Global Advisors. That has led to April gold’s settlement at $3,001.10 an ounce on Comex Friday, the highest most-active contract finish on record.
Source – Market Watch
