Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Silver prices surged to $33 per ounce on Friday, hitting their highest since late October at $33.41, fueled by factors driving gold to record highs. Analysts suggest silver may challenge its 10-year peak of $34.87, though some remain cautious due to the metal’s volatility and its lag behind gold in 2024.
Silver has gained 14% in 2025 after rising 21% in 2024, supported by rising U.S. Comex futures prices amid concerns over a potential U.S. trade war due to proposed import tariffs. The March silver contract increased 3.3% to $33.79. The premium between CME futures and London spot prices has caused market volatility, drawing significant inflows into COMEX-approved warehouses. CME silver stocks surged 22% to 375.8 million ounces since November 24, when President Trump announced tariffs on Mexico and Canada, later delayed until March.
Copper prices also hit a three-month high, supporting silver. Meanwhile, London Bullion Market Association data revealed an 8.6% drop in silver inventories to 23,528 tons in January, the largest monthly decline since 2016.
Despite bullish trends, analysts caution against silver's volatility, noting its price movements often exceed gold’s by 2-2.5 times. Technical concerns arise as silver traded between $22-35 in 2024 compared to $19-27 in 2023. Industrial demand, comprising half of silver’s usage, could face challenges if a trade war hampers global growth. Additionally, fewer U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts and slowing Chinese growth may pressure silver prices further.
The silver market's volatility and external economic factors will likely continue to influence its trajectory, with investors closely watching its attempt to reach the $35 threshold.
