News

Has the gold express already left the station?

Key points in this update:

  • Gold has finally surpassed USD 3,000 per ounce, raising the obvious question: what’s next?
  • Beyond reinforcing gold’s status as a long-term buy-and-hold asset, this surge reflects growing global instability.
  • Multiple drivers lie behind the rally, some of which are long-lasting, while others may eventually fade.
  • In the short term, traders will be looking for US stagflation signs and Trump tariff tantrums to support additional gains.

Gold continues to rally strongly, most recently breaking above USD 3,000 per ounce, thereby extending further a rally that began in November 2022. The rally has pushed the price of a standard 400-ounce (12.4 kg) gold bar—held by central banks globally—above USD 1,200,000, a stark contrast to the USD 115,000 a similar bar cost at the start of the 21st century. Beyond reinforcing gold’s status as a long-term buy-and-hold asset, this surge reflects growing global instability, which has fueled strong demand for safe havens like gold and, to some extent, also silver.

Since the November 2022 low, gold has rallied by 75%, and perhaps surprisingly to some, almost managing to keep up with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which following the recent correction has delivered a similar return. A phenomenal performance by an asset often criticised by Warren Buffett, famously calling it an unproductive asset, with his argument being that gold does not generate income, unlike stocks, bonds, or real estate, which can produce dividends, interest, or rental income.

Spot Gold - Source: Saxo

The reason why all types of investors—from private investors to asset managers and hedge funds, and importantly also central banks—have been non-stop buyers of gold for the past three years can best be explained by investors worrying about the world, both from a political, economic, and security perspective. Most recently, we have seen President Trump upend a world order that has persisted since the end of the Second World War, while his aggressive policies have started to hurt consumer confidence while stressing the stock market. These factors have heightened gold-supportive stagflation risks—slowing growth, rising unemployment, and increasing inflation—potentially forcing the Federal Reserve to ease financial conditions through additional rate cuts.

Gold tends to do well during US rate-cutting cycles, and while the US Federal Reserve for now has paused, the deteriorating outlook for the US economy has lifted expectations for further rate cuts later this year. Gold’s surge in the past three years has also been fueled by demand from central banks as they diversify their holdings away from the US dollar. Central banks, mainly in emerging markets, have bought more than 1,000 tons of gold annually for the past three years in a row. Gold is seen as a hedge or protection against fiscal debt worries because of its historical role as a store of value and its tendency to hold or increase in price during times of economic uncertainty. In the past 25 years, government debt levels have exploded, not least in the US, raising some concerns it ultimately could lead to a crisis, in which case gold will act as a protection against the fallout.

Central bank buying of gold accelerated in 2022 and has stayed firm since then
Gold’s role as part of an investment strategy

“Never put all your eggs in one basket” is the best advice I have ever received, followed by an equally important advice to be diversified across different sectors and asset classes in order to reduce overall risk and improve stability. Unlike stocks and bonds, gold is a physical asset that cannot be destroyed and that does not rely on the financial stability of a government or a company.

Gold offers low correlation to stocks and bonds, often moving independently and sometimes even in the opposite direction. A downturn in the stock market is often associated with developments that overall tend to be gold positive. During periods of rising inflation, bond markets may suffer while gold over time has proven to offer protection.

How about silver?

Silver is often seen as a strong alternative to gold, and while it does not enjoy the support from central banks as gold has seen in recent years, its use as an industrial application gives it an additional source of demand. Unlike gold, which is primarily used for investment and jewellery, silver sees around 55% of its demand deriving from industrial applications, the most important being solar panels, electric vehicles, 5G technology, and medical applications. With the global push towards electrification, silver demand is expected to remain strong.

In addition, silver supply is relatively inelastic as about 70% of silver production comes as a byproduct of mining of other metals, like copper, zinc, lead, and gold. Declining output in recent years from key producers in Mexico, Peru, and China has already created a relatively tight market with the Silver Institute forecasting a fifth consecutive year of significant supply deficits, driven by robust industrial demand, particularly for solar panels and electronics.

With this in mind, and combined with silver’s relative cheapness to gold, investment demand is growing. However, it is also worth noting that silver tends to behave like gold, but often on steroids, meaning it rallies harder but also slumps harder during periods of correction.

How to invest in gold?

Physical gold: Purchasing physical gold in the form of jewellery, coins, or bars provides direct exposure to the metal but involves considerations such as secure storage, insurance, and higher trading costs.

Gold ETFs/ETCs: Exchange-traded funds or commodities offer a convenient way to invest in gold without holding physical metal. These products track gold prices closely and can be traded easily on exchanges.

Gold mining stocks/ETFs: Investing in gold mining companies or ETFs that hold a basket of mining stocks provides exposure to gold prices. However, these investments carry operational risks and may exhibit higher volatility compared to gold itself, but generally during periods of rising gold prices, mining companies tend to do better as their profitability improve significantly.

Conclusion: Is it too late to get involved ?

When an investment has increased significantly more than expected over a certain period of time, it is very natural and also sensible enough to consider whether the rally can continue. Of course, we never know what will happen in the markets in the coming months and years, and a lot can happen that sends the price of gold and silver downward—for example, if many investors want to cash in on their profits, thus creating selling pressure in the market. Such a wave could happen if we see a change in Trump's aggressive handling of America's major trading partners, or if a peaceful solution is found to many of the outstanding military conflicts in the world.

But if we look out into the world today and note the enormous uncertainty that comes from various geopolitical conflicts, many heavily indebted countries including the United States, and also a completely new American foreign policy paradigm that we have to get used to, then there are certainly also arguments that it is not unrealistic to see prices continue higher, keeping in mind that nothing ever moves in a straight line indefinitely. At Saxo, we recently raised our 2025 peak gold price to USD 3,300, while silver, with a relatively modest move lower in the gold-silver ratio to 75, may reach USD 44 per ounce during the same time frame.

Ole HansenHead of Commodity StrategySaxo Bank
Topics: Commodities Inflation Federal Reserve Mining ETF Gold Silver Trump Version 2 - Traders Thought Starters Advanced orders

Forexlive Americas FX news wrap 14 Mar. Sharply lower Univ. of Michigan ignored. Stocks up

  • Broader US stock indices close higher but still down for the fourth consecutive week
  • Pres. Trump: Will know more about Russia's readiness to agree to a cease-fire on Monday
  • What technical levels are in play for the AUDUSD & NZDUSD heading into next weeks trading
  • J.P. Morgan cuts 2025 US growth outlook 1.6% from 1.9%
  • EU trade chief Sefcovic: There is a lot of work ahead
  • New prime minister Carney: This is a time of great consequence for our country
  • Major European indices close higher on the day
  • Russia's Putin: On talks with the US, situation is starting to move
  • US Sec. of State Rubio: There is reason to be cautiously optimistic on Ukraine Russia
  • Ukraine's Zelenskyy: We have good chance to end this war quickly
  • The EURUSD is trading back near technical levels after the run higher stalls
  • Reuters poll: Euro zone economy to grow 0.9% and 1.3% in 2025/2026
  • Trump on talks with Putin yesterday: We had very good and productive discussions
  • University of Michigan sentiment preliminary for March 57.9 versus 63.1 estimate
  • US stocks move higher at the open as US government avoids a shutdown.
  • Canadian Foreign Min. Joly: Canada wants to be closer to Europe, UK. USDCAD works lower.
  • Incoming German Chancelor Merz:Outlines defense spending exemptions & spending initiatives
  • Canada manufacturing sales for January 1.7% versus 2.0% estimate
  • ForexLive European FX news wrap: Germany agrees on debt deal, gold clips $3,000 level
  • Germany's Greens party said to be satisfied with agreement on debt deal
  • Germany's CDU, SPD have agreed on a solution with Greens on financial package - report
  • Gold hits $3,000 for the first time

Markets:

  • Gold hits $3000 for the first time ever. Backs off. The price is down -6 dollars or -0.20% at $2982.67. The high price today reached $3004.94. Gold is up 2.51% for the week. For the year, will prices are up 13.65%.
  • Silver is trading down $-0.19 or -0.58% at $3.66. For the week, the price is up 3.58%. Silver is up 16.54% this year.
  • Crude oil is trading up $0.62 or 0.93% at $67.17. For the week crude oil is trading up 0.21%. For the year, crude oil is down -6.33%.
  • Bitcoin is trading up $2935 and $84,014. For the week the price is up over 4%

In the forex market, the USD was mixed. The greenback was higher vs.:

  • JPY +0.54%
  • GBP +0.10%
  • CHF +0.32%

The dollar was lower vs:

  • EUR -0.29%
  • CAD -0.55%
  • AUD -0.72%
  • NZD -1.00%

In the US debt market, yields moved higher today:

  • two year yield 4.021%, +6.8 basis points.
  • Five year yield 4.091%, +6.3 basis points
  • 10 year yield 4.317%, +4.2 basis points
  • 30 year yield 4.627%, +3.2 basis points

For the trading week, yields were little changed:

  • 2 year rose 2.1 basis point
  • 5 year rose 0.9 basis points
  • 10 year rose 1.1 basis point
  • 30 year rose 2.4 basis points.

In the US stock market, the broader indices close sharply higher:

  • S&P index rose 117.42 points or 2.13% at 5638.94
  • NASDAQ index rose 451.07 points or 2.61% at 17754.09

However, for the week, each of the broader indices fell for the fourth consecutive week

  • The S&P index fell by -2.27% this week. The prior three weeks have seen declines of -1.66%, -0.90% and -3.10%.
  • The NASDAQ index fell by -2.43% this week. The prior three weeks of seen declines of -2.1% -3.47%, and -2.43%.

Technically, the NASDAQ Index did fall to the 38.2% of the move up from the October 2024 low at 17278 and found support buyers.That hold give traders some hope that a low is in place. It will take a move below the level to disappoint the buyers. Although the price bounced, the index remains well below the 200 day MA at 18417.78.

For the S&P index, the price did not reach the 38.2% like the Nasdaq, but the low for the week did take the index down about 10.5% into what is considered correction territory. The bounce today, took the price back higher. On the topside, a swing area between 5642 to 5669.67 needs to be broken, followed by the 200 day MA at 5740.34.

The rise in the US stocks came despite a sharp fall in the University of Michigan sentiment index and its major components.

In March 2025, the University of Michigan's Survey of Consumers reported a significant decline in consumer sentiment and a notable rise in inflation expectations compared to February 2025:​

  • Consumer Sentiment Index: Decreased from 64.7 to 57.9, marking an 11% drop and reaching the lowest level since November 2022. ​

  • Current Economic Conditions Index: Fell from 75.1 to 69.3, indicating a 7.7% decline. ​

  • Index of Consumer Expectations: Declined from 58.4 to 53.3, a decrease of 8.7%. ​

  • One-Year Inflation Expectations: Increased from 4.3% to 4.9%, the highest reading since late 2022. ​

  • Five-Year Inflation Expectations: Rose from 3.5% to 3.9%, reaching the highest level since early 1993.

  • Democrats' expectations dropped 20%, Republicans' fell 10%, and Independents' declined 12%, reaching their lowest level since 2023.

This downturn in consumer sentiment reflects growing concerns about economic policies, including tariffs and trade tensions, which are contributing to heightened inflation expectations. The broad-based decline across various demographic groups suggests widespread apprehension about future economic conditions. Elevated inflation expectations present challenges for policymakers, particularly the Federal Reserve, as they balance efforts to manage inflation and support economic growth.

Next week, the market will be focused on the Fed rate decision, which will take place on Wednesday. At the meeting the Fed will also release the dot plot and the central tendencies for GDP, Inflation and Unemployment. Will the Fed increase the rate cuts to 3 from 2? Will they be as negative on inflation as the Univ. of Michigan?

In addition to the US Federal Reserve interest rate decision, the Bank of Japan, the Swiss National Bank, and the Bank of England will all announce interest rate decisions.

Here is a list of the major releases next week:

Monday, March 17

  • 8:30am USD: Core Retail Sales m/m (Forecast: 0.3%, Previous: -0.4%)
  • 8:30am USD: Retail Sales m/m (Forecast: 0.6%, Previous: -0.9%)

Tuesday, March 18

  • 8:30am CAD: CPI m/m (Forecast: 0.6%, Previous: 0.1%)
  • 8:30am CAD: Median CPI y/y (Forecast: 2.7%, Previous: 2.7%)
  • 8:30am CAD: Trimmed CPI y/y (Forecast: 2.8%, Previous: 2.7%)
  • Tentative JPY: BOJ Policy Rate (Forecast: <0.50%, Previous: <0.50%)
  • Tentative JPY: Monetary Policy Statement
  • Tentative JPY: BOJ Press Conference

Wednesday, March 19

  • 2 pm USD: Federal Funds Rate (Forecast: 4.50%, Previous: 4.50%)
  • 2 pm USD: FOMC Economic Projections
  • 2 pm USD: FOMC Statement
  • 2:30pm USD: FOMC Press Conference
  • 5:45pm NZD: GDP q/q (Forecast: 0.4%, Previous: -1.0%)
  • All Day JPY: Bank Holiday
  • 8:30pm AUD: Employment Change (Forecast: 31.4K, Previous: 44.0K)
  • 8:30pm AUD: Unemployment Rate (Forecast: 4.1%, Previous: 4.1%)

Thursday, March 20

  • 3:00am GBP: Claimant Count Change (Forecast: 7.9K, Previous: 22.0K)
  • 4:30am CHF: SNB Monetary Policy Assessment
  • 4:30am CHF: SNB Policy Rate (Forecast: 0.25%, Previous: 0.50%)
  • 5:00am CHF: SNB Press Conference
  • 8:00am GBP: Monetary Policy Summary
  • 8:00am GBP: MPC Official Bank Rate Votes (Forecast: 0-2-7, Previous: 0-9-0)
  • 8:00am GBP: Official Bank Rate (Forecast: 4.50%, Previous: 4.50%)
  • 8:30am GBP: BOE Gov Bailey Speaks
  • 8:30am USD: Unemployment Claims (Forecast: 222K, Previous: 220K)
  • 12:50am CAD: BOC Gov Macklem Speaks

Friday, March 21

  • 8:30am CAD: Retail Sale (Forecast -0.4%, previous +2.5%)
  • 8:30am CAD: Core Retail Sales (Forecast 0.0%, previous 2.7%)
This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

World indices overview: news from US 30, US 500, US Tech, JP 225, and DE 40 for 13 March 2025

Global stock indices continue to decline as investors are concerned about new US tariff initiatives for the EU countries. Find out more in our analysis and forecast for global indices for 13 March 2025.

US indices forecast: US 30, US 500, US Tech

  • Recent data: the US CPI was 2.8% in February
  • Market impact: the market may see lower-than-expected inflation as a reason to expect a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut

Fundamental analysis

If the Federal Reserve lowers the key rate, this will be positive for the stock market as lower rates make loans cheaper and increase the availability of capital. Although the data was worse than expected, the core rate (3.1%) is above the target level. The regulator will likely closely monitor it in the future.

Lower rates stimulate the economy, which could boost inflation. While the Federal Reserve fears an uptick in inflation, new figures show that price growth has slowed slightly compared to forecasts.

US 30 technical analysis

The US 30 stock index continues to decline within the downtrend. An upward correction is becoming more likely after such a long series of declines. However, a trend reversal is unlikely. After a support level forms during this correction, the decline will likely continue.

The following scenarios are considered for the US 30 price forecast:

  • Pessimistic US 30 forecast: if the price consolidates below the previously breached support level at 42,370.0, the index could plunge to 40,035.0
  • Optimistic US 30 forecast: a breakout above the 42,910.0 resistance level could drive the index to 43,890.0
US 30 technical analysis

US 500 technical analysis

The US 500 stock index continues to fall after a minor correction. The downtrend has become medium-term, with the current support level of 5,530.0 likely to be breached.

The following scenarios are considered for the US 500 price forecast:

  • Pessimistic US 500 forecast: a breakout below the 5,530.0 support level could push the index down to 5,395.0
  • Optimistic US 500 forecast: a breakout above the 5,785.0 resistance level could propel the index to 5,960.0
US 500 technical analysis

US Tech technical analysis

The US Tech index continues its upward correction, but the downtrend is still strong. A sideways channel could form. However, the price will highly likely break below it within the downtrend.

The following scenarios are considered for the US Tech price forecast:

  • Pessimistic US Tech forecast: a breakout below the 19,115.0 support level could send the index down to 18,405.0
  • Optimistic US Tech forecast: a breakout above the 20,240.0 resistance level could boost the index to 21,465.0
US Tech technical analysis

Asian index forecast: JP 225

  • Recent data: Japan’s GDP rose by 2.2% year-on-year in Q4 2024
  • Market impact: moderate GDP growth is typically considered a supportive factor for the stock market

Fundamental analysis

The Bank of Japan may take into account the pace of economic growth when deciding on future monetary policy. If the growth rates are lower than expected, this could be an argument in favour of further (or stronger) stimulus measures, which will support the stock market in the long term.

Japan’s Q4 2024 GDP data shows continued economic growth, but it was slightly weaker than expected. This could be a moderately positive signal (the economy is still expanding) for the stock market. However, falling short of the forecast could cause a slight negative reaction in the short term.

JP 225 technical analysis

The JP 225 stock index rebounded from a strong support level at 36,260.0, which will highly likely be breached. Otherwise, a sideways channel will form.

The following scenarios are considered for the JP 225 price forecast:

  • Pessimistic JP 225 forecast: a breakout below the 36,260.0 support level could push the index down to 35,115.0
  • Optimistic JP 225 forecast: a breakout above the 38,485.0 resistance level could propel the index to 39,625.0
JP 225 technical analysis

European index forecast: DE 40

  • Recent data: Germany’s trade balance was 16 billion EUR in January
  • Market impact: exporters’ stocks may come under pressure

Fundamental analysis

Companies focused on foreign markets may suffer when exports fall. A decline in the surplus may cause investors to be cautious about these shares. Unfulfilled expectations (16 billion EUR instead of 21 billion EUR) could cause a short-term negative sentiment in the stock market.

A significantly smaller-than-expected trade surplus may lead to a short-term negative reaction in the German stock market, especially in export-oriented sectors. The further impact on stock prices will depend on a combination of macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. In particular, investors will focus on the future US tariff policy regarding the EU. According to the German central bank’s chief, US tariffs on EU goods could push Germany into a recession this year.

DE 40 technical analysis

The DE 40 stock index continues to move in an uptrend, facing an active struggle between bulls and bears for a crucial resistance level, with the potential for further growth remaining significant.

The following scenarios are considered for the DE 40 price forecast:

  • Pessimistic DE 40 forecast: a breakout below the 22,380.0 support level could send the index down to 21,800.0
  • Optimistic DE 40 forecast: a breakout above the 23,315.0 resistance level could drive the index to 23,670.0
DE 40 technical analysis

Summary

Among US stock indices, the US 30 is the only one to continue to decline, while the others are undergoing a correction, forming support levels. If the Japanese JP 225 halts its decline, its quotes could form a sideways channel. The DE 40 index is the only one to maintain the growth potential.