Gold, Silver Hit Fresh Record Highs Amid Geopolitical Tensions, Weak Dollar

Forex

Commodity

Summary:

Gold and silver surged to fresh record highs on Friday as investors flocked to safe-haven assets amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a weakening U.S. dollar, extending a powerful year-end rally in precious metals.

Spot gold was last up 0.6% at $4,506.76 an ounce by 21:55 ET (02:55 GMT), after jumping to a new record peak of $4,530.60/oz earlier in the day.

U.S. Gold Futures for February delivery rose 0.7% to $4,537.55.

Gold prices were set to jump nearly 3% this week as investors sought protection against rising global uncertainty.

Spot silver prices surged over 4% to hit a new record high of $75.14/oz, set to jump over 7% this week.

Geopolitical tensions in Venezuela, Nigeria boost gold

Geopolitical developments were a key driver of the move. Safe-haven demand increased after the U.S. stepped up pressure on Venezuela's oil exports, a move that raised concerns about supply disruptions and broader regional instability.

Adding to market unease, President Donald Trump said on social media that U.S. forces had carried out strikes against militant targets in Nigeria, highlighting Washington's willingness to use military force in multiple regions.

Silver tracked gold's gains, buoyed not only by its defensive appeal but also by its industrial use, particularly in electronics and clean-energy technologies.

Strong investment inflows and limited availability amplified price moves during holiday-thinned trading conditions.

Dollar remains weak amid Fed easing bets

The rally was further underpinned by weakness in the U.S. dollar, which slipped against a basket of major currencies.

The dollar has come under pressure amid growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin easing monetary policy in 2026 as inflation shows signs of cooling and economic growth moderates.

A softer dollar typically boosts demand for dollar-denominated commodities by making them cheaper for holders of other currencies.

Lower U.S. Treasury yields have also supported non-interest-bearing assets such as gold, as investors reassess the outlook for U.S. rates and shift portfolios toward stores of value.

With liquidity likely to remain thin through the holiday period, price swings could be exaggerated. Still, analysts said the broader fundamentals point to continued strength in gold and silver into the new year.

Source: Investing

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Forex kids 101

Commodity

Traders' Opinions

Since early 2024, Gold has transitioned from a traditionally defensive asset into a structurally bullish, momentum-driven market. The rally has not been random or emotional; it has unfolded in distinct, impulsive waves, each followed by necessary consolidation phases. Understanding where we currently stand in this structure is critical—not only for directional bias, but for risk management and expectation setting as we move toward 2026.

This article breaks down the wave-based progression of Gold’s rally, evaluates whether the market is entering a terminal phase or another expansion leg, and outlines key levels and behaviours traders should monitor going forward.

Wave 1: The Structural Break That Changed Everything (February–October 2024)

The first strong impulse wave of the current Gold super-cycle began on 26 February 2024. This was not merely another bullish attempt—it was a structural regime shift.

· Key breakout level: 2034.08

· Wave 1 high: 2792.07 (28 October 2024)

Gold’s decisive break above the 2034.08 resistance confirmed a long-term bullish continuation and invalidated years of range-bound behaviour. This move established:

· A clear Break-and-Hold structure

· Higher highs and higher lows on the weekly timeframe

· Institutional participation rather than speculative noise

By late October 2024, Gold had expanded nearly 760 points before entering its first meaningful pause. This consolidation during November–December 2024 was healthy, controlled, and characteristic of a market preparing for continuation—not exhaustion.

Conclusion: Wave 1 set the foundation. Without this break, the $5,000 narrative would not exist.

Wave 2: Controlled Expansion and Institutional Re-Accumulation (January–April 2025)

The second wave of the rally began on 13 January 2025 at 2683.79, following two months of compression and liquidity absorption.

· Wave 2 high: 3504.74 (27 April 2025)

· Post-wave consolidation: Approximately 4 months

This phase was notable for its orderly structure. Price respected support, pullbacks were shallow, and volatility expanded gradually. The rally stalled near 3500—not due to weakness, but due to the market needing time to rebalance after a strong extension.

The four-month consolidation that followed reinforced an important insight:

Gold was no longer reacting to short-term catalysts; it was being repriced structurally.

Wave 3: Momentum Expansion and Trend Acceleration (August–October 2025)

After months of digestion, the third impulse wave began on 24 August 2025 at 3355.79.

· Wave 3 high: 4387.67 (12 October 2025)

This was the most aggressive and emotional leg of the rally so far. Characteristics included:

· Strong bullish displacement

· Minimal retracements

· Broad participation across timeframes

Wave 3 confirmed that Gold had entered a momentum-driven phase, often associated with late-cycle trend acceleration. However, as expected, price once again paused after a sharp expansion, respecting the natural rhythm of trending markets.

At this stage, the $5,000 target entered mainstream discussion—but this is precisely where disciplined traders must slow down.

Where Are We Now? Wave 4 or Structural Pause?

As we approach the end of 2025, Gold is once again consolidating below major highs. The critical question is:

Are we beginning Wave 4 toward $5,000—or are we forming a deeper corrective phase first?

Key Considerations:

1、Psychological Resistance Zone

· The 4000–4400 region is not just technical resistance; it is psychological and narrative-driven

· Markets often pause, retrace, or form complex structures near such levels.

2、Structural Risk Zone

· A controlled dip below 3990, or even a deeper retracement toward prior wave support, would not invalidate the $5,000 thesis.

· Instead, it could represent a final rebalancing phase before the next major expansion.

3、Time vs. Price

· Gold has moved aggressively in price over a relatively short period.

· Markets often compensate for rapid price expansion with time-based consolidation, not immediate continuation.

What to Watch Going Into 2026

Rather than predicting outcomes, traders should focus on behavioural confirmation. Here are the key signals to monitor:

Bullish Continuation Scenario:

· Higher lows holding above prior wave supports

· Clean break-and-hold above 4400

· Strong bullish displacement with shallow pullbacks

· Acceptance above psychological resistance zones

Deeper Correction Scenario:

· Failure to hold above 4000

· Increased volatility without directional follow-through

· Price dipping below the previous impulse base without immediate recovery

Importantly, a retracement does not negate the macro bullish structure unless long-term supports are decisively broken.

Final Perspective: Is $5,000 Too Early—or Still Ahead?

Gold’S Multi-Year Rally Toward $5,000: Wave Structure, Psychological Barriers, And What Comes Next_1

Gold’s rally since 2024 has followed a textbook expansion–consolidation rhythm. Each impulse wave has been respected by the market, and each pause has strengthened the overall structure.

Whether the next leg toward $5,000 begins immediately or after a deeper reset, the broader narrative remains intact:

Gold is in a long-term repricing phase, not a speculative spike.

For traders and investors alike, the focus should not be on calling the exact top or bottom—but on aligning with structure, respecting psychological zones, and allowing the market to confirm its next intent.

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Gerik

Economic

Strategic Shift Toward Foundational Tech Innovation

In a move signaling China’s intensified focus on technological self-reliance, state broadcaster CCTV reported that three major venture capital funds have been officially launched with finalized capital plans. Each fund exceeds 50 billion yuan in size, bringing the total investment pool to over 150 billion yuan ($21.4 billion). These funds are explicitly targeted at “hard technology” sectors a category that includes semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, new energy technologies, aerospace, and other deep tech industries critical to China’s long-term strategic ambitions.

This development reflects a deliberate departure from previous investment models that favored “soft tech” such as consumer apps and internet services. The emphasis on hardware-based innovation suggests a causal response to escalating global tech competition, export controls, and national security concerns particularly in the semiconductor domain where China seeks to close the gap with the United States and its allies.

Navigating U.S. Sanctions and Technological Decoupling

The launch of these hard tech VC funds comes against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially Washington’s increasingly restrictive stance on chip exports to China. The venture capital initiative appears to be part of a broader industrial policy aimed at insulating China's innovation ecosystem from external shocks.

By mobilizing state capital and guiding private investors into strategic sectors, Beijing aims to create a domestically integrated supply chain for core technologies. The scale of funding announced with each fund exceeding $7 billion indicates not only the central government’s financial capacity but also its urgency in responding to external pressures. The causal link between U.S. export bans and China's focus on semiconductor autonomy is direct and pronounced.

Implications for Global Supply Chains and Tech Competition

China's push into hard tech has major implications for global supply chains and international tech competition. With vast amounts of capital now flowing into chip design, fabrication equipment, and other hardware capabilities, domestic firms are likely to accelerate R&D and reduce dependence on foreign inputs. If successful, this could result in a shift in the global technology landscape either by strengthening China’s self-reliant tech base or by triggering retaliatory moves in the U.S.-led tech alliances.

This wave of investment is also likely to attract and retain top talent within China’s borders, reversing previous trends where engineers and researchers sought opportunities abroad. Moreover, such policy-driven capital deployment may generate faster scaling of local startups, potentially increasing domestic innovation output even in the face of external restrictions.

The launch of over $21 billion in hard tech venture capital by China marks a critical moment in the country’s pursuit of technological sovereignty. As the divide between hardware and software investment deepens, and as the global race for semiconductor dominance intensifies, these funds represent a direct and strategic attempt to reshape the core of China's innovation economy. Whether this capital infusion leads to technological breakthroughs or broader economic decoupling, its impact on global tech dynamics is likely to be profound and enduring.

Source: Bloomberg

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Samantha Luan

Forex

Political

Economic

China set the yuan's daily reference rate at a level that was below market estimates by a record margin, in the latest sign of policymakers' intention to slow the currency's appreciation.

The People's Bank of China set the yuan's so-called fixing at 7.0358 per dollar, 301 pips weaker than the average estimate of traders and analysts in a Bloomberg survey. The gap between the reference rate — which limits the onshore yuan's moves by 2% on either side — and the forecast was the largest since the survey was initiated in 2018.

The move came after the offshore yuan advanced past the key psychological level of 7 per dollar on Thursday for the first time since September 2024. The PBOC has been using the reference rate to guide the yuan stronger at a measured pace as it tries to appease Beijing's trading partners while protecting its exporters. A rapid rally risks triggering a surge of hot-money inflows that may destabilize China's financial markets.

While the fixing was weaker than the market estimate, it's still stronger than where it was in the previous session. The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.0042.

The PBOC's cautious approach has come on the back of a growing chorus among Wall Street Banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Bank of America Corp. which expect the Chinese currency to strengthen well beyond 7 in 2026. Even within China, a rising number of local economists and former central bank officials have called for a stronger currency to help rebalance the economy away from exports and reduce trade tensions.

Source: Bloomberg Europe

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Justin

Political

Economic

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the modernization of his country's missile and artillery production, indicating Pyongyang is moving toward expanded output of both nuclear and conventional weapons ahead of its next ruling party congress.

Kim inspected key military-industrial enterprises to review fourth-quarter production of missiles and artillery shells, and approved draft modernization plans to be submitted to the ninth congress of the Workers' Party, the Korean Central News Agency reported Friday.

Pyongyang is expected to hold its next party congress, a key gathering for setting policy goals, early in 2026.

The visit followed Pyongyang's release a day earlier of photos showing progress in the construction of an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine, as well as the testing of a new high-altitude, long-range missile that KCNA said accurately hit a mock target at an altitude of 200 kilometers (124 miles). The moves have heightened tensions on the peninsula after a US nuclear-powered submarine arrived in the South Korean port of Busan earlier this week.

Kim's recent inspections amount to a "carefully choreographed sequence of moves," said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul. "While the nuclear-powered submarine symbolizes strategic nuclear deterrence aimed at the US mainland, missiles and artillery shells represent tactical strike capabilities intended for use on the Korean peninsula and in actual combat."

Kim was accompanied by senior officials from the ruling party, missile authority and defense science sector as he received briefings on output and capacity, KCNA said. He called for expanding production plans for next year in line with projected operational needs and for strengthening the technological base of factories to expand capacity in a balanced manner.

Looking ahead, Kim also urged newly planned military-industrial enterprises to proceed on schedule after the party congress and said existing plants should continue upgrading production structures to improve efficiency and practicality.

North Korea could use technological know-how acquired in exchange for supplying Russia with artillery shells, missiles and troops to overhaul its aging arms factories into digitized and automated facilities, a shift that points to ambitions to evolve beyond nuclear deterrence toward a more technology-driven defense industry, Lim said.

Source: Bloomberg Europe

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Gerik

Economic

Forex

Yen's Modest 2025 Gains Mask Deeper Structural Fragility

As 2025 draws to a close, the Japanese yen has barely managed to hold onto marginal gains, rising less than 1% against the U.S. dollar after four years of consistent losses. This muted performance underscores the deeper imbalance in Japan’s monetary positioning. Despite the Bank of Japan (BOJ) initiating a cautious normalization path, including interest rate hikes, the yen has failed to build sustained momentum. It currently trades around 155.70, significantly weaker than the April high below 140, reflecting a clear divergence between policy action and currency performance.

The failure of modest rate increases to strengthen the yen reveals a persistent causal disconnect. Market forces are overriding central bank moves as long as real interest rates remain negative and external conditions favor capital flight from Japan.

Strategist Projections Signal Deepening Bearish Sentiment

Market strategists from leading global financial institutions project a further weakening trajectory for the yen. JPMorgan’s Junya Tanase offers one of the most pessimistic forecasts, expecting the dollar-yen pair to reach 164 by the end of 2026. BNP Paribas anticipates the exchange rate climbing to 160 under a combination of carry trade strength and BOJ’s slow policy shifts.

These projections are not merely speculative. They are grounded in concrete financial mechanics: wide U.S.-Japan yield spreads, delayed BOJ rate hikes (with the next move not priced in until September), and Japan’s enduring fiscal risks. In particular, the PCE inflation measure in Japan remains above the 2% target, but real rates are still deeply negative weakening the yen’s investment appeal.

Carry Trade Resurgence Adds Further Pressure

A significant driver of the yen’s weakness is the revival of global carry trades. Investors have increasingly borrowed low-yielding yen to invest in higher-yielding assets in emerging markets like Brazil and Turkey. This financial strategy creates direct capital outflows from Japan, further undermining the yen’s position.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) data confirms a growing bearish positioning by leveraged funds, with short-yen bets reaching levels last seen in mid-2024. This alignment of speculative interest with structural yield disadvantages points to a reinforcing causal loop: the more the yen weakens, the more attractive it becomes for carry trades which in turn accelerates further depreciation.

Capital Outflows from Retail and Corporates Sustain Downward Pressure

Retail investors in Japan continue to show strong appetite for overseas equities, with net purchases through investment trusts remaining close to last year’s record ¥9.4 trillion. Analysts suggest this behavior is likely to persist into 2026, reflecting a long-term shift in household investment preferences. These retail flows, combined with significant foreign direct investment (FDI) by Japanese corporations, amount to a structurally consistent capital outflow.

Outward M&A activity is also accelerating. According to BofA Securities, Japanese firms have ramped up cross-border acquisitions in 2025, unaffected by cyclical trends. This steady stream of corporate capital outflows removes natural support for the yen and exemplifies the long-term drivers of currency depreciation beyond monetary policy alone.

BOJ Policy Caution Limits Upside Potential

The BOJ’s reluctance to aggressively raise rates remains a central theme. While inflation is above target, the bank has signaled that it prefers gradual tightening. As a result, investors discount the likelihood of a dramatic shift in Japan’s rate environment. Without a more assertive policy stance, real interest rates will remain in negative territory a condition that undermines demand for the yen.

Fukuoka Financial Group’s chief strategist Tohru Sasaki projects the yen could slide to 165 per dollar by the end of 2026, especially if the Fed halts its rate-cut cycle earlier than expected. In this scenario, interest rate differentials would widen again, exacerbating the yen’s vulnerability.

Speculation of Intervention and Long-Term Divergence

Japanese authorities, including Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, have issued verbal warnings to markets about potential intervention should yen moves become "excessive" or "speculative." But market participants remain skeptical about the impact of such actions. As noted by BNY’s Wee Khoon Chong, intervention without structural change is unlikely to reverse the broader depreciation trend.

Interestingly, not all forecasts are bearish in the long term. Goldman Sachs expects the yen to appreciate toward 100 per dollar over the next decade, assuming that BOJ continues its policy normalization. However, this projection is contingent on macroeconomic rebalancing that appears distant in the current environment.

The Japanese yen faces a confluence of negative forces heading into 2026. From wide yield differentials and capital outflows to slow policy tightening and revived carry trades, structural headwinds are reinforcing a bearish narrative. While official intervention or a sudden shift in Fed policy could offer temporary relief, the broader market consensus points to continued depreciation potentially pushing the dollar-yen rate to 160 or beyond by the end of 2026. Without a significant real interest rate adjustment or a reversal in outbound investment trends, the yen's weakness may remain a defining feature of global currency markets for the foreseeable future.

Source: CNBC

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Winkelmann

Forex

Economic

Key Points:

· USD/JPY climbed after Tokyo inflation cooled to the BoJ's 2% target, signaling fewer rate hikes and a less hawkish policy path.

· Cooling inflation clashed with yen intervention warnings, capping USD/JPY upside despite softer Japanese price pressures.

· Markets remain focused on the BoJ's neutral rate debate, a key factor influencing USD/JPY direction into 2026.

Cooling Japanese inflation indicators sent USD/JPY higher on Friday, December 26, countering Japanese government efforts to strengthen the yen through intervention warnings.

Headline inflation dropped to the Bank of Japan's 2% target, supporting a lower neutral interest rate and fewer rate hikes to achieve policy normalization. The softer inflation numbers come after Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama warned of yen interventions earlier this week. A more dovish BoJ on cooling inflation will increase the threat of a yen intervention, capping USD/JPY gains.

Cooling Japanese inflation and fading bets on a March Fed rate cut challenged the bearish medium- to longer-term outlook for USD/JPY. Nevertheless, monetary policy divergence continues to favor the yen, given the prospect of an incoming Fed Chair favoring lower rates.

Below, I'll discuss the macro backdrop, the near-term price catalysts, and technical levels traders should closely watch.

Tokyo Inflation Dips, Yen Weakens

Tokyo's annual inflation rate fell from 2.7% in November to 2.0% in December, while the so-called core-core inflation rate eased to 2.6% (November: 2.8%). Despite headline inflation dropping to the BoJ's 2% target, the more influential core-core inflation rate remained above the target, supporting further rate hikes.

However, the lower inflation rate suggested fewer rate hikes to achieve price stability, aligning with last week's dovish rate hike. USD/JPY reacted to the inflation numbers, rising from 155.751 to a post-data high of 156.271.

USDJPY – Five Minute Chart – 261225

Retail Sales and Labor Market Data Keep BoJ Hawks in Play

December's inflation data was the key USD/JPY driver in early trading on Friday. Meanwhile, consumer spending cooled in November, supporting a softer national inflation outlook. Retail sales increased 1% year-on-year in November, down from 1.7% in October.

Crucially, a pullback in spending will also dampen economic momentum, given that private consumption contributes roughly 55% to Japan's GDP.

While inflation and retail sales data weakened demand for the yen, labor market data limited the pullback. Japan's unemployment rate remained steady at 2.6% in November, supporting higher wages. An upswing in wages could boost consumer spending and fuel demand-driven inflation.

However, policymakers would need to see higher wages translate into consumption to raise rates further. While a more dovish BoJ rate path would weaken the yen and send USD/JPY higher, government yen intervention threats would continue to push the pair lower, supporting the cautiously bearish short- to medium-term USD/JPY price outlook.

For the short-term, USD/JPY trends will hinge on the Japanese government's pain threshold for yen weakness, currently at 158, given the recent communication. With USD/JPY sitting around the 156 level, the pair would likely return to 157 before another pullback to 155 levels, given recent price trends. On this basis, the short-term outlook remains cautiously bearish.

USDJPY – Daily Chart – Intervention Warnings

Fed Speakers in Focus

While USD/JPY advanced on softer retail sales and inflation data, Fed chatter will influence US dollar demand later on Friday.

This week's US GDP and deflator price data tempered bets on a March Fed rate cut, strengthening the US dollar. However, a cooling labor market and November's CPI report continue to support further Fed rate cuts, signaling a bearish short- to medium-term USD/JPY price outlook.

Dovish Fed rhetoric would revive expectations of a March rate cut, weighing on the US dollar.

According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a March Fed rate cut fell from 58.3% on December 19 to 47.0% on December 26. The sharp drop reflected the influence of the Q3 US GDP report on sentiment.

Technical Outlook: USD/JPY on a Downward Trajectory

With markets monitoring technical indicators and fundamentals, they will provide crucial insights into potential USD/JPY price trends.

Looking at the daily chart, USD/JPY traded above its 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), indicating a bullish bias. While technicals remained bullish, fundamentals are increasingly outweighing the technical structure, suggesting a bearish outlook.

A break below the 155 support level would expose the 50-day EMA. If breached, the 200-day EMA would be the next key technical support level. Importantly, a sustained drop below the EMAs would signal a bearish near-term trend reversal, bringing sub-150 into play.

USDJPY – Daily Chart – 261225 – EMAs

Position and Upside Risk

In my view, intervention threats will continue to cap USD/JPY upside at 158. Meanwhile, JGB yields would likely bolster yen demand, indicating a negative price outlook. However, the BoJ's neutral interest rate will be pivotal, given recent concerns about sticky US inflation.

A higher neutral interest rate level, neither accommodative nor restrictive, would indicate a more hawkish BoJ rate path and a narrower US-Japan rate differential. A narrower rate differential would make yen carry trades into US assets less profitable, reversing yen carry trades, sending USD/JPY toward 140 over the longer term.

However, upside risks to the bearish outlook include:

· Dovish BoJ chatter and a 1% neutral interest rate.

· Strong US data.

· Hawkish Fed rhetoric.

These scenarios would weaken the yen and boost demand for the US dollar, sending USD/JPY higher. However, yen intervention warnings are likely to cap the upside at around the 158 level, based on the latest communication.

Conclusion: Focus on the BoJ Neutral Rate

In summary, USD/JPY trends reflect the Japanese government's focus on forex markets and changing sentiment toward narrowing rate differentials. Market focus will remain on BoJ Governor Ueda and the Fed's outlook on monetary policy and the BoJ's view on the neutral interest rate.

A 1.5% to 2.5% neutral rate would indicate more aggressive BoJ rate hikes, supporting the bearish short- to medium-term outlook for USD/JPY. Furthermore, dovish Fed rhetoric will likely send USD/JPY toward 140 in the 6-12 month time horizon.