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☆ Gold subdued as investors seek more data for Fed rate cues
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices eased on Monday as investors awaited more U.S. economic data, while reports from last week showed that inflation was stabilizing and lifted hopes for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates later this year. Data released last week showed some weakening in price pressures in the U.S., suggesting that the labor market was losing momentum, keeping hopes alive for a September rate cut. Traders are seeing a 68% probability of a cut in September, according to the CME Group's FedWatch Tool, compared to 63% before the producer prices data on Thursday. However, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari on Sunday said it's a "reasonable prediction" that the U.S. central bank will cut interest rates once this year, waiting until December to do it. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

Persons: Kyle Rodda, Rodda, Neel Kashkari, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, ., Minneapolis Locations: Birmingham, England, U.S

☆ Costco sells a surprising variety of gold and silver – we counted 17 different items
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Costco has made headlines selling gold bars from Swiss and South African refineries. Collectors are tracking a dozen or so other gold and silver products the company has sold. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementBy now most folks have heard that Costco sells a lot of gold. But while the coverage has focused largely on gold bars from Swiss and South African refineries, the wholesale club's precious metals offering is much bigger.

Persons: — Organizations: Costco, Service, Business Locations: Swiss

☆ Oil prices on track for weekly gain on solid demand outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices fell on Friday but were on track for their first weekly gain in four weeks as markets assessed the impact of higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates versus solid outlooks for crude and fuel demand this year. Brent crude futures were down 72 cents, or 0.87%, to $82.04 a barrel at 0100 GMT. In a see-saw week, oil prices rallied after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries stuck to a forecast for relatively strong growth in global oil demand for 2024 and Goldman Sachs projected solid U.S. fuel demand this summer. Further buoying the market, Russia pledged to meet its output obligations under the OPEC+ pact, after saying it exceeded its quota in May. This should see the crude oil market remain well supported over the next 18 months," ANZ analysts said in a client note.

Persons: Goldman Sachs Organizations: Brent, West Texas, Organization of Petroleum, OPEC, ANZ, U.S . Federal Reserve, Fed Locations: Russia, OPEC, China

☆ Gold eyes first weekly gain in four on cooling U.S. inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices edged up on Friday and were on course for their first weekly gain in four, as U.S. economic data indicated a softening of price pressures, fueling optimism that a rate cut from the Federal Reserve might be forthcoming. Gold prices edged up on Friday and were on course for their first weekly gain in four, as U.S. economic data indicated a softening of price pressures, fueling optimism that a rate cut from the Federal Reserve might be forthcoming. Spot gold as up 0.2% at $2,306.89 per ounce, as of 0334 GMT. "The best recipe for gold would be continued weakness in inflation, then that recessionary appeal of gold will start to come through as a bit of an extension of expectations of potential rate cuts this year." Data on Thursday showed that U.S. producer prices unexpectedly fell in May, another indication that inflation was subsiding after surging in the first quarter.

Persons: Kyle Rodda Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Traders

☆ Gold treads water ahead of U.S. inflation test, Fed decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An employee handles one kilogram gold bullions at the YLG Bullion International Co. headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Gold prices were flat on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy announcement for insights into how soon it will cut interest rates this year and the May inflation report due later in the day. "Gold prices have been treading lightly amid the waiting game for greater cues on the Fed's policy path. Any lean towards two rate cuts could be perceived as a more dovish take, which may see gold prices head higher," said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong. Demand for gold in Asia is surging despite prices hovering near the record highs it hit in May, industry officials said.

Persons: Yeap Jun Rong, Jerome Powell's, Tim Waterer Organizations: Co, U.S, Investors, Fed, Strong U.S, People's Bank of, U.S ., KCM Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, U.S . Federal, China, People's Bank of China, Asia

☆ UBS says these factors could push gold prices up to $2,600 by end-2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUBS says these factors could push gold prices up to $2,600 by end-2024Joni Teves, gold and precious metals strategist at UBS, discusses the bank's decision to raise its forecast for gold prices.

Persons: Joni Teves Organizations: UBS

☆ Singapore is set to lead the gold market as 'center of gravity' shifts east, World Gold Council says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE — Singapore is set to become a leading gold hub as trading shifts east, according to the World Gold Council. Singapore's proximity to these central banks, which are actively snapping up gold, is another factor, he added. "The center of gravity of the gold market has shifted east, with Singapore, fortuitously placed as the potential fulcrum of this new balance," Fan said at the Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference held in Singapore. China is the world's largest gold consumer, and its central bank is the largest buyer of bullion as the country seeks to boost its gold reserves. Among central banks, the People's Bank of China was the largest buyer of gold in 2023.

Persons: Shaokai Fan, fortuitously, Fan Organizations: World Gold, Asia, Precious Metals Conference, People's Bank of Locations: SINGAPORE — Singapore, Asia, Pacific, Singapore, Singapore . China, People's Bank of China

☆ Norway discovers Europe's largest deposit of rare earth metals
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mining firm Rare Earths Norway says it has discovered Europe's largest proven deposit of highly prized rare earth elements, potentially reflecting a watershed moment for both the Nordic country and the broader region. One of the few deposits not owned or controlled by China, the discovery of continental Europe's largest rare earths deposit is considered a welcome boost in Europe's bid to break China's rare earths dominance. Alf Reistad, CEO of Rare Earths Norway, told CNBC that the discovery at Fen represents a "great milestone" for the company. "It is important to state that there is absolutely no extraction of rare earth elements in Europe today," Reistad said via videoconference on Monday. Rare Earths Norway said the rare earths deposit in Telemark, roughly 210 kilometers (130 miles) southwest of Oslo, is likely to underscore Norway's position as an integral part of Europe's rare earth and critical raw material value chain.

Persons: Alf Reistad, Reistad Organizations: Tech Co, Mining, Nordic, Rare, Norway, CNBC Locations: Mongolia, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China, Norway, Sweden, Europe, videoconference, Telemark, Oslo

☆ This start-up is making artificial hair from bananas
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Leah Collins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Some people complain that synthetic hair can irritate their scalp and a study of synthetic hair in Nigeria found the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals and chemicals. We want to empower women to make informed decisions about what hair they use and what’s best for them.”Tumusiime says that, unlike synthetic hair, her product is biodegradable, durable and can be easily styled, treated and colored. Since it’s made from discarded banana stems, she adds, it’s also a way to help curb that waste. In the US, St.Louis-based Rebundle also sells hair extensions made from banana fibers, while Nourie Hair offers a hair alternative for braiding made from Ginseng root extract and rosemary. But synthetic hair can be bought for as little as $1 for a bundle.

Persons: Juliet Tumusiime, Tumusiime, Cheveux, ” Tumusiime, it’s, Spiro, Clement Di Roma, Simon Maina, Prince William’s, James Oatway, there's, Edwin Maina, Cheveux Brown, Juliet, Cheveux Organique, “, I’m, ” Organizations: CNN, USAID, Research, Getty, Reeddi Technologies, The Royal Academy of Engineering, Kenyan, Economic Locations: Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Benin, Kenya, AFP, China, Cameroon, Rwanda, France

☆ The real reason for copper's record-shattering rally, according to one trading firm
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Copper's rise to more than $11,000 a ton isn't supported by fundamentals, according to trading firm Trafigura. AdvertisementSupply and demand fundamentals haven't been enough to support copper's sky-high rally. Instead, the commodity's massive bull run is thanks to expectations of interest-rate cuts, according to the commodity-trading firm Trafigura. The pattern isn't exclusive to copper only, as other metals have also disassociated from their fundamentals in 2024, Rahim said. According to Bloomberg, Trafigura is an entrenched copper bull, forecasting in 2021 that the industrial metal could eventually hit $15,000 a ton.

Persons: —, Saad Rahim, Rahim, Trafigura, Jeff Currie Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Bloomberg

☆ Gold rangebound as traders seek more U.S. data for Fed cues
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Gold bars arranged at the Korea Gold Exchange store in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Gold prices rose slightly on Wednesday helped by lower Treasury yields, but were stuck in a tight range as investors waited for more U.S. data to gauge the Federal Reserve's next step on monetary policy. U.S. gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,354.50. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields lingered near their lowest level in almost three weeks hit on Tuesday, making bullion more attractive to investors. The U.S. services data is due at 1400 GMT.

Persons: Matt Simpson Organizations: Korea Gold Exchange, Federal, Index, Gold Locations: Seoul, South Korea, U.S

☆ Gold dips as dollar steadies, focus turns to U.S. jobs data
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Pure 1,000-gram gold bars produced by South Korea's LS-Nikko are stacked in a dealers room in Seoul on Jan. 9, 2009. Gold fell more than 1% on Tuesday as the dollar steadied ahead of May's U.S. jobs report, due later this week, which could set the tone for the Federal Reserve's interest rate strategy. Spot gold fell 0.9% to $2,329.10 per ounce. Gold reversed gains from a bounce late in the previous session following weaker U.S. manufacturing data. The dollar index steadied, making gold more expensive for overseas buyers, after falling overnight to its lowest since mid-April.

Persons: Gold, Bart Melek, Jim Wyckoff, Wyckoff, Soni Kumari, Silver Organizations: South Korea's, Nikko, U.S ., TD Securities, Investors, Friday's U.S, Kitco Metals, ANZ Locations: Seoul, May's, U.S, India

☆ Why there's a massive copper shortage
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Shawn Baldwin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Demand for copper is surging. The red metal, considered a barometer for economic health, is a vital component for the construction and defense industries as well as a key component in electric cars, wind turbines and the power grid. Existing mines and projects under construction will meet only 80% of copper needs by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. "High-grade economic copper resources are not abundant, these things aren't all over the place, you have to go find them," said Chris LaFemina, global metals and mining analyst at Jefferies. To look at the challenges facing copper producers, CNBC got a behind the scenes look at Rio Tinto's Kennecott mining operation outside of Salt Lake City.

Persons: Chris LaFemina Organizations: International Energy Agency, Jefferies, CNBC Locations: Rio, Salt Lake City

Instead, Wall Street and Silicon Valley money is flowing into his re-election campaign following the ruling. “This verdict will have less than zero impact on my support,” Omeed Malik, the president of 1789 Capital and a co-host of a Trump fund-raiser last night at the Pierre hotel, told Bloomberg. “I haven’t heard anybody who gives a …,” he told CNBC of the conviction, using an expletive. Some big Silicon Valley names are doubling down. One who did is Shaun Maguire, a partner at Sequoia Capital, who gave $300,000 to the Trump campaign after the ruling, even though he acknowledged the decision could cost him friends and hurt business.

Persons: Donald Trump, ” Omeed Malik, Andy Sabin, ”, Biden, Bill Ackman, Trump, David Sacks, Shaun Maguire Organizations: Republican, Pierre, Bloomberg, CNBC, Trump, Sequoia Capital Locations: Silicon, San Francisco

☆ Here are the next drivers of Costco growth after a great quarter and a stock near records
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Costco has multiple levers of growth at its disposal, which should lead to a further boost in the stock even after its already impressive year-to-date gains. "If you're disappointed, go to another stock," Jim Cramer said during Friday's Investing Club's Morning Meeting . Jim said investors should not be concerned about the pullback because the stock often drops the day after earnings. COST 1Y mountain COST 1-year stock performance. In addition to exceeding estimates on the top and bottom lines in its fiscal 2024 third quarter, Costco turned in a better-than-expected 6.5% comparable sales increase.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Jim, Costco, Ron Vachris, Gary Millerchip —, Millerchip, Vachris, D.A, Davidson, Redburn, Rich Galanti, it's, Jim Cramer's, John Keeble Organizations: Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Costco Logistics, CNBC, Lakeside, Getty Locations: U.S, Japan, Korea, China, Grays, United Kingdom

☆ Gold bars and silver coins at Costco continue to be top sellers — and a cheat code for boosting its online sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Gold bars and silver coins continue to show strong sales for Costco. The company sells an estimated $200 million per month of the metals. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementGold bars and silver coins had another quarter of strong sales for Costco. Analysts estimate the company sells around $200 million of gold and silver each month, and former CFO Richard Galanti has said the supply usually sells out "within hours."

Persons: —, Richard Galanti Organizations: Costco, Service, Business

Learn moreFor as long as I've lived in apartment buildings with older plumbing, I've relied on a water filter to make my tap water more palatable. My first choice was one of the best water filter pitchers, as it seemed easy to maintain and a cost-effective alternative to buying bottled water. Berkey Travel Berkey Water Filter System The stand-alone water filtration system uses gravity and activated charcoal filters to remove contaminants and store potable water in the 1.5-gallon lower chamber. If a freestanding filter system is too much of a commitment, consider a smaller countertop system or a filtering pitcher. Bernadette Machard de Gramont/Business InsiderThe Berkey systems are tried-and-true — I've been using the Travel Berkey at home for nearly two years now with no issues.

Persons: Bernadette Machard de, microfiltration, It's Organizations: Business, Shop, Machine

☆ What is a catalytic converter and why do people keep stealing them?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Johnny Wactor, an actor who formerly starred in “General Hospital,” caught people in the act of stealing the catalytic converter from his car Saturday. But, up to last year, catalytic converter thefts had been rising sharply, up by a factor of four, since 2020. A catalytic converter cleans a car’s exhaust, making the air safer to breathe for all of us. On its website, the US Environmental Protection Agency has called the catalytic converter “one of the great environmental inventions of all time.” But it’s not what the catalytic converter does that attracts desperate criminals. For the most part, the catalytic converters end up getting sold to recycling companies that strip out the materials to make new catalytic converters.

Persons: Johnny Wactor, ”, Wactor, It’s, they’ve, Richard Waitas, That’s, Scott Vollero, Christopher Gaines, you’ve, it’s Organizations: CNN, “, National Insurance, US Environmental Protection Agency, National Automobile Dealers Association, Recycling Locations: Angeles, California

☆ Gold subdued as U.S. dollar, yields firm; traders await inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An employee holds one kilogram gold bullion at the YLG Bullion International Co. headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields held firm ahead of key inflation data, which could offer more clarity on the Federal Reserve's interest rate trajectory. The dollar firmed 0.1%, making gold less attractive for other currency holders, while benchmark U.S. 10-year bond yields rose to multi-week peaks. "Investors will try to position themselves in gold because overall long-term fundamentals are looking pretty strong for gold at the moment." While gold is used as a hedge against inflation, rate hikes raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

Persons: Soni Kumari, Tim Waterer Organizations: Co, U.S ., Treasury, ANZ, KCM, Traders, BHP, Monetary Fund Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, U.S, China

☆ Rivers in Alaska are turning orange. It’s an ‘unexpected consequence of climate change’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Fabiana Chaparro | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Rivers and streams in Alaska are changing color – from a clean, clear blue to a rusty orange – because of the toxic metals released by thawing permafrost, according to a new study. Ken Hill/National Park ServiceArctic soils naturally contain organic carbon, nutrients and metals, such as mercury, within their permafrost, the study says. “It’s really an unexpected consequence of climate change.”Researchers used satellite imagery to determine when the change in color happened at different rivers and streams. In Alaska’s Arctic rivers alone reside a variety of fish that are “critical for subsistence, sport, and commercial fisheries,” researchers wrote. Poulin said local communities voiced their concerns and observations to study researchers beginning seven years ago.

Persons: CNN —, “ We’re, ”, Brett Poulin, Ken Hill, Poulin, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, National Park Service, University of California, Geological Survey, Communications, Environment, UC Davis, Park Service, Water Resources Research Locations: CNN — Rivers, Alaska, Davis, Alaska’s, California, Appalachia, Alaska's Gates, Alaska’s Gates, Park Service Alaska, Chilean, Spain

☆ Gold, silver and copper rally has just taken a breather — new highs are not that far off, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold and silver bars of various sizes lie in a safe on a table at the precious metals dealer Pro Aurum. Gold prices have been rallying to record highs, with spot gold notching a new top of $2,449.89 per ounce on Monday. Silver too hit multi-year highs earlier last week, as did industrial metal copper. Spot gold is currently trading at $2,351.3. "While geopolitical risks continued to bolster haven demand, an impressive rise in China's gold demand in Q1 2024 has largely fueled the price rally," ANZ's strategists wrote.

Persons: Silver, that's, Joni Teves, CNBC's Organizations: Aurum, U.S ., Treasury, ANZ, India, World Gold, UBS, U.S . Federal, Metals Locations: U.S, China

☆ London Moves to Revive Its Reputation as a Financial Hub
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Eshe Nelson | Michael J. De La Merced | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Shein, the online retail giant founded in China, had grand ambitions to go public in New York. The company is now focusing more on the London Stock Exchange for its initial public offering, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. That may not have been the company’s initial choice — but it would be a big win for Britain, which has been wary of its capital city losing its status as a global financial hub. A spokeswoman for Shein declined to comment; the British Treasury also declined to comment. like Shein’s could be seen as a prize that bolsters the local financial market and sets the stage for other companies to follow.

Persons: Jeremy Hunt, Shein Organizations: London Stock Exchange, Britain, British Treasury Locations: China, New York, Washington, Beijing, London, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore

☆ Silver vs. gold: Bank of America names 4 ‘attractive’ ETFs to gain exposure to precious metals
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As the price of gold hits new all-time highs and silver rallies to a multi-year high, Bank of America has identified four exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that offer attractive exposure to precious metals. The top-rated ETFs include abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (ticker SIVR), iShares Silver Trust (SLV), Invesco DB Precious Metals Fund (DBP) and abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR). Bank of America rated all four ETFs "more attractive" in comparison to other ETFs with similar assets. These funds reflect baskets of physical precious metals, with varying allocations to silver, gold, palladium, and platinum. abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF SIVR is the cheapest silver fund in Bank of America's coverage, with a total expense ratio of 0.50%.

Persons: Jared Woodard, SLV, Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank of America, Precious Metals Fund, Bank of, Treasury, Bank, Precious Metals Locations: BofA

☆ Chemical toxin exposure in the womb linked to greater health risks for children ages 6 to 11
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Chemical toxins are everywhere — in our water, food, air and soil. Children born to European mothers exposed to four families of chemicals that disrupt the body’s endocrine (hormone) system had elevated levels of metabolic syndrome at ages 6 to 11. Metabolic syndrome can include obesity, elevated blood pressure, and abnormally high cholesterol and insulin resistance, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is typically associated with adult cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, but the growing epidemic of childhood obesity has seen symptoms appearing in kids at younger and younger ages. Having metabolic syndrome as a child is highly predictive of chronic disease as an adult, experts say.

Persons: Nuria Güil, ”, Oumrait, Vicente Mustieles, Mariana Fernández, Carmen Messerlian, Messerlian, phthalates, “, Jane Houlihan, ” Houlihan, Houlihan, PFAS, EWG Organizations: CNN, Icahn School of Medicine, JAMA, Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Harvard, of Public Health, International Council for Chemical Associations, American Chemistry Council, EPA, Food, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, NSF, National Sanitation Foundation Locations: Mount Sinai, New York City, Spain, Messerlian, Chan, Boston, United States

☆ Alaska's pristine rivers are turning a rusty orange even when seen from space, likely because of melting permafrost: study
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAt least 75 of Alaska's brooks and streams have been turning a dirty orange likely due to thawing permafrost, with some rivers so impacted that the discoloration can be seen via satellite, a new study says. Rivers and lakes typically have a pH value of 6.5 to 8, and acid rain has a pH value of 4.2 to 4.4. Jon O'Donnell/National Park Service"These findings have considerable implications for drinking water supplies and subsistence fisheries in rural Alaska," researchers wrote. The 75 orange streams observed were scattered across northern Alaska over a span of about 600 miles, the study said. AdvertisementAn orange tributary joins the Kuguroruk River in Alaska.

Persons: —, Jenny McGrath, Jon O'Donnell, Joshua Koch, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, Geological Survey Scientists Locations: Rivers, Kobuk, Alaska

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