Money & Metals Brief

France did not reduce its overall gold reserves, but it did move its New York-held gold back to Paris. The shift appears aimed at giving France more direct access and flexibility over part of its physical gold, a move that may point to a more active approach to managing reserve assets.

Geopolitical conflicts often carry economic consequences that extend far beyond the region where they occur. The developing conflict involving Iran in 2026 is already raising concerns among economists and market analysts about energy prices, inflation, and potential pressure on the global economy. While the situation is still evolving, many analysts are closely watching how disruptions …

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) is often called Wall Street's "fear gauge." It represents the market's expectation of stock market volatility over the next 30 days, based on prices of options tied to the S&P 500 index. Higher values mean traders expect bigger price swings; lower values suggest calmer markets. In practical terms: When the …

You may have seen recent headlines warning that the United States could be entering a "debt spiral." What that actually means is that the federal government is borrowing money faster than the economy is growing. At the same time, the cost of servicing that debt - the interest payments - is rising rapidly. When interest …

In recent weeks, an unusual surge in investors selling their physical gold and silver back into the market, often referred to in the industry as "buybacks", has temporarily outpaced the physical infrastructure required to process those transactions. This is because the precious metals market operates differently from paper markets, relying on secure shipping, verification, refining, …

Understanding the U.S. push to diversify supply chains-and why metals like silver may see rising demand What Is Project Vault? The U.S. government has launched a major new initiative called Project Vault, a roughly $12 billion strategic stockpile of critical minerals designed to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, particularly China's dominance in rare earths …

Why the Recent Run Isn't the End - It's a Milestone in a Broader Trend Gold and silver prices have captured the market's attention with remarkable strength. Gold recently surged above $4,800 per ounce, and silver also hit above $90 per ounce. Both are driven by heightened safe-haven demand and structural market forces. These aren't …

As investors look ahead to 2026, silver is increasingly being shaped by global forces that go beyond traditional supply-and-demand dynamics. Two developments in particular - China's evolving approach to silver exports amid broader currency shifts and market responses to recent events tied to Venezuela - are drawing attention to silver's recent run. These trends also …

Most Americans don't think about global trade settlement, currency pricing, or international banking systems, and that's understandable. For decades, the U.S. dollar handled that work behind the scenes, helping keep prices relatively stable at home. But that system is starting to change. China is making two major moves at the same time. Separately, they sound …

The holiday season is here. A time when many of us look for gifts that feel meaningful, lasting, and thoughtful. While toys, electronics, and trendy items come and go, some gifts stand the test of time. That's why some families are turning to gold and silver as holiday presents this year. Whether you're shopping for …