SHANGHAI: Silver rose to a record and gold pushed higher on worsening geopolitical tensions and expectations for more US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts next year.
The white metal advanced as much as 0.6% to US$67.55 an ounce. Silver has been buoyed by speculative inflows and lingering supply tightness after a historic short squeeze in October.
The total trading volume for silver futures in Shanghai spiked earlier this month to levels near those seen during the crunch a couple of months ago.
Spot gold advanced to nearly US$4,365 an ounce, within US$20 of an all-time high, having risen for the last two weeks.
Traders are betting the Fed will cut interest rates twice in 2026 after a slew of economic data last week did little to provide more clarity on the outlook, though US President Donald Trump has advocated for aggressively lowering rates.
Looser monetary policy is a tailwind for gold and silver, which don’t pay interest.
Geopolitical tensions have also enhanced the haven appeal of precious metals.
The US has intensified an oil blockade against Venezuela, stepping up pressure on the government of President Nicolás Maduro, while Ukraine attacked an oil tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time.
Precious metals are capping a historic year, with gold and silver heading for their strongest gains since 1979. — Bloomberg
