The recent surge in investment into silver and gold has left many experts scratching their heads. The price of gold has skyrocketed by over a quarter this month alone, reaching an all-time high of just under $5,595 per ounce on Thursday. The metal's value has more than doubled since the start of last year, sparking concerns that investors are buying into a speculative bubble.
The catalyst behind the gold rush is none other than former US President Donald Trump, who has been wreaking havoc on the global economy with his aggressive policies. His administration's actions, including punitive tariffs and threats to annex or bomb other countries, have sent investors scurrying for safe havens like gold. The precious metal has long been seen as a store of value in times of economic uncertainty, and Trump's antics have provided a perfect storm of risks that have driven investors towards gold.
But what's driving the rush? Analysts say it's not just about short-term market stress – it's also about signaling a re-pricing of trust. Trust in currencies, institutions, and the stability of the global economic order is being questioned, and gold is reflecting this shift. The idea is that even if inflation were to get out of control and undermine the value of the US dollar, gold would hold its value.
However, the market's behavior is also being influenced by retail investors who are buying into the "safe haven" trade or simply seeing the price spike and piling in. This is evident in the silver market, where prices have more than quadrupled in recent months, with a significant part of the uptick attributed to retail demand.
Meanwhile, concerns about Fed independence and US policymaking are also putting downward pressure on the dollar, which has been on the slide in recent weeks. The euro has broken through $1.20 (£0.90), while £1 is worth $1.38, up almost five cents in a fortnight.
So why haven't share prices tanked? Despite concerns about Trump's policies and their impact on the global economy, US stocks have performed strongly over the past 12 months, driven by the "magnificent seven" tech companies' soaring revenues. Investors seem to be willing to overlook these concerns for now, buoyed by hopes of fresh interest rate cuts in the coming months.
The silver price has caught up in the same speculative frenzy as gold, with a significant part attributed to retail demand. The Royal Mint website is urging consumers to buy gold "to fortify your financial future," highlighting the allure of the metal during times of economic uncertainty.
The catalyst behind the gold rush is none other than former US President Donald Trump, who has been wreaking havoc on the global economy with his aggressive policies. His administration's actions, including punitive tariffs and threats to annex or bomb other countries, have sent investors scurrying for safe havens like gold. The precious metal has long been seen as a store of value in times of economic uncertainty, and Trump's antics have provided a perfect storm of risks that have driven investors towards gold.
But what's driving the rush? Analysts say it's not just about short-term market stress – it's also about signaling a re-pricing of trust. Trust in currencies, institutions, and the stability of the global economic order is being questioned, and gold is reflecting this shift. The idea is that even if inflation were to get out of control and undermine the value of the US dollar, gold would hold its value.
However, the market's behavior is also being influenced by retail investors who are buying into the "safe haven" trade or simply seeing the price spike and piling in. This is evident in the silver market, where prices have more than quadrupled in recent months, with a significant part of the uptick attributed to retail demand.
Meanwhile, concerns about Fed independence and US policymaking are also putting downward pressure on the dollar, which has been on the slide in recent weeks. The euro has broken through $1.20 (£0.90), while £1 is worth $1.38, up almost five cents in a fortnight.
So why haven't share prices tanked? Despite concerns about Trump's policies and their impact on the global economy, US stocks have performed strongly over the past 12 months, driven by the "magnificent seven" tech companies' soaring revenues. Investors seem to be willing to overlook these concerns for now, buoyed by hopes of fresh interest rate cuts in the coming months.
The silver price has caught up in the same speculative frenzy as gold, with a significant part attributed to retail demand. The Royal Mint website is urging consumers to buy gold "to fortify your financial future," highlighting the allure of the metal during times of economic uncertainty.