“We have gone through all our shutdowns and proprietary maintenance and all that in the first three quarters. We should be able to produce a stellar fourth quarter based on our numbers,” Misra told Reuters in an interview.
Misra expects zinc prices to rise to $2,850-$2,950 a ton in the coming days from $2,800 currently, and silver to trade between $30 and $31 per ounce.
Source – Reuters
Indonesia has restricted raw material exports to pressure companies to refine minerals locally and add value to its exports. Freeport has local refining capacity, but is seeking to keep exporting concentrate due to a fire last October at its Manyar smelterin East Java.
Should exports resume, it will relieve, although not reverse, a shortage of copper concentrate that has hit the profits of smelters.
Source – Reuters
Listen up, fellow investors and fellow learners! Did you know that in 2024, precious metals are experiencing one of the most dynamic investment landscapes in recent history? Spoiler alert: The battle between silver and gold isn’t just about shiny metals – it’s about strategic wealth preservation and potential growth.
I’ve been diving deep into investment strategies recently, and the silver versus gold debate never gets old. Each metal has its own personality, its own market dance, and its own unique advantages. Imagine trying to choose between two incredible dance partners – that’s what selecting between silver and gold feels like!
Precious metals have been humanity’s financial safety net for centuries. From ancient civilizations to modern investment portfolios, gold and silver have weathered economic storms, survived market crashes, and continued to shine (pun absolutely intended). In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision about these fascinating investment options.
Let’s get real about what makes these metals more than just pretty objects. Precious metals aren’t just shiny rocks – they’re complex economic indicators with fascinating backstories.
Gold and silver have been monetary assets for thousands of years, but their roles have dramatically evolved. They’re no longer just coins or jewelry; they’re sophisticated investment vehicles with intricate market dynamics. Here’s what makes them special:
Each metal responds differently to global economic conditions. Gold tends to be the steady, reliable performer – think of it like the experienced marathon runner of investments. Silver? It’s more like the energetic sprinter, with higher volatility but potentially more explosive growth.
Gold has been the traditional “safe haven” investment for generations, and for good reason. Picture it as the reliable grandfather of precious metals – stable, respected, and rarely letting you down completely.
Historically, gold has been an incredible hedge against economic uncertainty. During market crashes, political instabilities, and inflationary periods, gold prices tend to rise. It’s like a financial superhero that shows up when other investments are struggling! Just look at this year (2024) alone.
Key investment considerations for gold include:
The average investor can expect gold to provide steady, modest returns. It’s not about getting rich overnight, but about protecting and slowly growing your wealth. Think of it like a financial tortoise – slow, steady, and likely to win the long-term race.
Silver is the exciting, unpredictable cousin in the precious metals family. What makes silver truly fascinating is its dual nature – it’s both an investment asset and an industrial commodity.
Unlike gold, which is primarily a financial instrument, silver has massive industrial applications. From solar panels to electronics, from medical equipment to electrical connections, silver is literally helping build our modern world. This industrial demand creates a unique investment dynamic that gold simply can’t match.
Investment highlights for silver include:
The exciting part? Silver’s price can experience more dramatic swings. While this means higher risk, it also means potentially higher rewards. For investors willing to ride a more exciting investment wave, silver offers incredible opportunities.
Let’s break down the head-to-head comparison between these two precious metals:
Price Stability:
Investment Volume:
Industrial Utility:
Market Performance:
Here’s the million-dollar question: Which should you choose? The answer isn’t straightforward and depends on your personal financial goals.
Consider gold if you:
Consider silver if you:
Pro tip: (As I have learned) Many seasoned investors don’t choose between gold and silver – they include both in a diversified portfolio!
Investing in precious metals isn’t about picking a winner, but understanding how these assets can complement your overall financial strategy. Gold and silver each bring unique strengths to the table.
Remember, no investment is a guaranteed success. Always do your research, consult with financial professionals, and invest according to your personal risk tolerance.
Your next step? Start researching, ask questions, and consider how gold and silver might fit into your investment journey. The world of precious metals is waiting for you to explore!
Spot prices hit another record high of $3,357.40 per troy ounce on Wednesday before falling back after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said President Donald Trump’s tariffs were “significantly larger” than expected.
The Goldman analysts said that stresses in bond markets “increase our conviction that gold is uniquely positioned to hedge recession risk.”
The bank’s economists say there’s a 45% chance of a US recession in the next 12 months. If that happens, the analysts said gold could hit $3,880 by the end of the year — or even as much as $4,500 under certain scenarios.
Source – Markets Insider
Putting tariffs on the world’s largest silver producer, Mexico, and a bullish seasonal window has woken the silver bulls.
Silver is showing strong signs of bullish momentum, supported by seasonal demand, a favorable technical picture, and a fundamental catalyst in the form of tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
Source – Barchart / Written by Don Dawson
Stocks recoiled on Wednesday, while safe-haven gold held near record highs as a nervous world awaited details of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and investors fretted about the risks of an intensifying global trade war.
“Whatever’s announced today, I doubt very much will be the framework that’s in place in, say, nine months’ time because we know there’ll be negotiations around this,” Daiwa Capital economist Chris Scicluna said.
“It’s very difficult to predict with any confidence what the ultimate impact is going to be, whether broadly, economically, in terms of rates or in terms of stock markets,” he said.
“Investors are hoping for some clarity, and perhaps the start of the deal-making phase. But tariffs are already weighing on business sentiment, and this will probably feed through into lower global economic activity in the coming months,” said Ben Bennett, Asia-Pacific investment strategist at Legal & General Investment Management.
Source – Reuters
Oil flows from the United States to China in the early months of this year have reportedly added up to roughly 1% of the country’s imports, amid growing tariffs and trade risks.
“With China imposing 84% tariffs on goods from the US, the cost of US crude would be almost double — $51 a barrel more expensive, based on $61 WTI,” Ivan Mathews, head of APAC analysis for Vortexa told Bloomberg. “This makes running US crude uneconomical for Chinese refiners.”
US crude imports to China will “likely dwindle to zero in the coming months if the current tariff levels stay,” he added.
Source – Seeking Alpha
