Spot gold prices surged as high as $3,500.05 per ounce on Tuesday, surpassing the $3,500/oz milestone for the first time.
“With all the geopolitical tensions, central banks do want to diversify away from the dollar and have something that won’t be sanctioned … gold is one of those asset classes that could fit the bill,” Marex analyst Edward Meir said.
Source – Reuters
Unusually large shipments of copper to the United States are unlikely to abate as long as the threat of tariffs hangs over the market and price premiums for the metal on U.S.-based COMEX make deals profitable for traders and producers, analysts said.
COMEX copper hit a record high at $11,633 a metric ton on March 26, creating a premium of more than $1,570 a ton against the benchmark contract on the London Metal Exchange.
“We expect 250,000-300,000 tons of extra copper will be shipped to the U.S. over March-May because of the spread and amid the uncertainties regarding the tariff,” said Sharon Ding, head of China basic materials at UBS Investment Research.
“It’s possible we’ll see more atypical cargos in the second half of May,” Kpler analyst Ben Ayre said. “While the COMEX price continues to run at a premium to the LME there’s a strong incentive to land refined copper in the United States.”
Source – Reuters
In a powerful and timely interview, Francis Hunt of The Market Sniper sat down with Jp Cortez, Executive Director of the Sound Money Defense League, to discuss the accelerating legislative efforts to restore gold and silver as constitutional money across the United States.
Source – Money Metals – Video Interview
Gold reversed course and edged higher on Monday, supported by a weaker dollar, after hitting a more than one-month low earlier as easing U.S.-China trade tensions dampened safe-haven demand and bolstered risk appetite.
Spot gold rose 0.3% to $3,281.65 per ounce, as of 0216 GMT, after hitting its lowest since May 29 earlier in the session.
“There is less of a ‘doom and gloom’ outlook surrounding both tariff talks and events in the Middle East, which is relegating gold to play second fiddle to risk assets,” KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.
“The dollar remains pressured which is limiting the extent of the slide for gold. However, the $3,250 level shapes as a key support level for gold. Any breach of this level could see losses accelerate towards the $3,200 level,” Waterer said.
Spot silver was down 0.1% at $36.02 per ounce, platinum firmed 1% to $1,353.13, while palladium was up 0.2% at $1,135.48
Source – Reuters
As the threat of a trade war grows, Canadian investors are seeking protection in gold and in shares of companies producing goods with few substitutes, such as uranium, while looking to take advantage of a weaker loonie and expected volatility.
“Tariffs are going to hurt all parties quite a bit but if you’re going to spare some industries, you probably spare industries that you don’t have a substitute for and are currently reliant on,” said Ben Jang, a portfolio manager at Nicola Wealth, noting U.S. dependence on Canadian oil, critical minerals and uranium.
Major producers of uranium include TSX-listed Cameco Corp (CCO.TO)shares of which Nicola Wealth owns. Cameco has pulled back from an all-time high in December but has still managed to advance roughly 46% since early September.
Source – Reuters
The trade war stirred by U.S. tariffs raises a risk for metal demand, the head of Chile’s Antofagasta said, although he predicted AI and other technology could offset any loss of traditional consumption caused by economic weakness.
He also said President Donald Trump’s policies could lead to a more favourable environment for investment in mining
Antofagasta CEO Ivan Arriagada said he expected supplies of copper, needed for construction and the transition to a lower carbon economy, would remain in limited supply.
“In the current environment, where there is a lot more support for mining investment, it should be easier and should happen,” Arriagada said
Source – Reuters
Spot gold was up 0.6% at $3,373.09 an ounce, as of 0552 GMT. U.S. gold futures gained 1.5% to $3,393.80.
The weakness in the dollar index serves as a strong catalyst, said Kelvin Wong, a senior market analyst, Asia Pacific at OANDA, adding that a “bullish breakout” of the $3,346 resistance triggered technical buying.
Spot silver was up 0.4% at $36.38 per ounce, platinum rose 1.2% to $1,271.15, still hovering near a more than 4-year high, while palladium was down 1.1% at $1,068.19.
Source – Reuters
