🚀 Gold and Silver Neck-and-Neck Halfway Through 2025
Both metals are up nearly 30% year-to-date—gold at 29.3% and silver at 28.3%. Which will finish stronger?
⏱️ Fed Holds Steady Amid Policy Uncertainty
The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain rates at 4.25%-4.5% on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive pause. Officials are monitoring potential impacts from Trump administration policies, particularly tariffs. Economists anticipate one or two rate cuts later this year.
⚖️ Republicans Split on Senate's $5 Trillion Debt Ceiling Tax Package
The Senate Finance Committee's $5 trillion tax package offers permanent corporate deductions but faces Republican opposition over SALT limits and Medicaid cuts. The bill includes a controversial "revenge tax" on foreign businesses and caps tax breaks for tips and overtime at $25,000 annually. The July 4th passage deadline looks increasingly ambitious.
📊 World Gold Council Survey: 76% of Central Banks Plan to Boost Gold Reserves
A World Gold Council survey shows 76% of central banks plan to increase gold reserves over five years while reducing dollar holdings. Annual gold purchases have exceeded 1,000 metric tons for three consecutive years—double the previous decade's average—despite record prices above $3,500/oz.
📈 J.P. Morgan Raises Gold Forecast to $4,000/oz by Mid-2026
Following a 30% surge in 2025, J.P. Morgan forecasts gold will average $3,675/oz by year-end and approach $4,000 by mid-2026. The bank cites gold's dual role as safe-haven asset and inflation hedge amid stagflation risks, recession concerns, and policy uncertainty.