The platinum jewellery market decline now appears to have stabilised, with year-on-year growth of 5% estimated for 2024 and 2% year-on-year growth forecast for this year, when total platinum jewellery demand is expected to reach 1.98-million ounces, the organisation points out.
PGI points out that in most markets, platinum jewellery is 950 parts per thousand, compared with 18 ct gold which is 750.
Source – Mining Weekly
PGI – Personal guarantee insurance
“These projections are supported by a rise in copper demand from the energy transition, electricity grids and a limited supply,” Claudia Rodriguez, Cochilco’s interim VP, said in a statement, adding that geopolitical tensions also played a role.
“Uncertainty about China’s economic recovery, tariffs implemented by the United States and the hardening of monetary policy could limit the demand for copper, affecting its price,” Rodriguez said.
It also expects Chile’s copper production to rise by 4.6% this year to 5.76 million tons and grow another 3.6% to 5.97 million tons in 2026.
Source – Mining.com
Spot gold was up 0.2% at $3,374.54 an ounce, as of 0505 GMT. U.S. gold futures eased 0.5% to $3,391.90.
“Gold has made a modest bounce as we await the next steps in the Israel-Iran conflict. If the U.S. does decide to get directly involved in the conflict this could raise the geopolitical stakes,” KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.
“The Fed was not as dovish as some had hoped, and I’d argue Powell was a tad more hawkish than many would like. The U.S. dollar is likely at oversold levels, and that is likely to cap gains on gold over the next few weeks,” said Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at City Index.
Source – Reuters
As economic uncertainty deepens worldwide, gold prices have notched more and more record highs.
The going price for New York spot gold hit a record $3,424.24 per troy ounce — the standard for measuring precious metals — as of close Monday. That’s about $1,097 higher than a year ago.
The price of spot gold is up more than 30% since the start of 2025, per the data firm FactSet. By contrast, the stock market has tumbled. The benchmark S&P 500 is down over 12% this year.
Gold futures also reached a record early Tuesday, briefly surpassing the $3,500 mark for the first time before falling closer to $3,444 by mid-morning.
Source – The Associated Press
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.
Sandstorm Gold (NYSE:SAND) +9.5% pre-market Monday after saying Royal Gold (NASDAQ:RGLD) agreed to acquire the company in an all-stock transaction with an implied value of ~$3.5B.
Under the deal terms, Sandstorm (NYSE:SAND) shareholders will receive 0.0625 of a share of Royal Gold (NASDAQ:RGLD) common stock for each Sandstorm share held, a 17% premium to Sandstorm’s closing price on July 3; upon closing, existing Royal Gold and Sandstorm shareholders will own ~77% and 23%, of Royal Gold’s issued and outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis.
Source – Seeking Alpha
Silver prices edged lower Tuesday, giving back some of Monday’s strong gains that saw the market break through key resistance at $33.70. The retreat reflects profit-taking as traders reassess short-term positioning, with rising attention on the U.S. dollar and gold’s technical posture.
At 12:34 GMT, XAGUSD is trading $34.29, down $0.46 or -1.34%.
Source – FX EMPIRE
