What’s driving prices down in the metals market? : NPR

In the longer term, battery-driven electric vehicles present a threat to auto catalyst demand in internal combustion engine vehicles. However, quicker adoption of green hydrogen technologies could boost platinum’s demand (platinum is used in fuel cells and in the electrolysis of water to produce green hydrogen). In an accelerating electric vehicle market, the demand for lithium, cobalt, and nickel will be on the rise. Until 2025, these metals are forecasted to keep being in essential demand for battery production in view of the increasing supply chain constraints and price volatility. Industry players should be aware of the shifting landscape in this marketplace and reconsider purchasing strategies to investigate new opportunities within recycling and alternative sources that can help to lower risk. Latest news on precious metals, covering market trends, analysis, and developments related to gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Gold prices holding firm as U.S. flash PMI shows slowing economic activity

• That’s because many of them rose on the back of increases in the materials they mine and sell.
• Lower rates tend to drive up the prices of precious metals as they are becoming more competitive with safety investments like bonds.
• Platinum demand in industrial applications and jewelry demand has strengthened amid the recovery in global economic activity.
• Expected rate cuts throughout 2025 could provide significant support for precious metals prices, including silver.
• One of the major drivers has been the widespread expectation that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.
• With supply at only 1.03 billion ounces, this creates a significant deficit of 182 million ounces – a situation that could drive prices higher.
• China, which dominates the global lithium market, has increased its cost for the extraction and production of raw materials.

Gold, in particular, is a comforting investment for many individuals and institutions, and they should continue to seek comfort in that and other valuable metals. While expert predictions offer valuable insights, investors should remain flexible and attentive to changing market conditions. Silver’s dual role as both an industrial metal and a precious metal makes it particularly sensitive to a wide range of economic and geopolitical factors. Demand for nickel will rise steadily, and nickel sulfate is bound to become popular as the most sought-after form of nickel for EV battery manufacturing.

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The interplay between industrial demand, investment interest, and supply constraints will likely determine whether silver can reach the higher price targets set by some analysts. The outlook for silver in 2025 appears bullish, with most predictions indicating significant potential for price appreciation. The combination of growing industrial demand, particularly in green technologies, and potential supply constraints creates a favorable environment for higher silver prices. MetalsDaily.com brings you all the latest live gold news, headlines, What is an iceberg order data analysis and information from the global gold markets.

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Its Database Pro and Metals Industry Database provide real-time access to 15,000+ metal prices and 150,000+ databases respectively and are a must-have for anyone in the metals supply chain. The other significant metal for the production of lithium-ion batteries, specifically high-energy-density batteries for EVs, is nickel. According to SMM, on January 15, 2025, the average price of SMM 1 nickel was USD 15,518.99/mt, slightly down from the previous day. Despite such fluctuations, nickel is one of those metals contributing immensely to huge demand in fulfilling the rising requirements of energy storage for electric vehicles. Despite the obvious surge in demand, lithium production has been plagued by a number of factors. China, which dominates the global lithium market, has increased its cost for the extraction and production of raw materials.

Precious Metals Prices: Here’s What’s Happening Beyond Gold

Therefore, enterprises that depend upon nickel should work out long-term contracting and explore various sources of alternative supplies, such as recycled nickel. The nickel mining sector has been recording slow production growth, and at the same time, high-purity class nickel has become increasingly costly to mine. According to SMM, on the back of tight supply conditions, the price of nickel salts increased slightly in early 2025. Up to 2025, supply for nickel will continue to be tight; and as these imbalances remain between supply and demand, that may cause price increases in both nickel sulfate and nickel metal.

Spot gold near session high above $2,780/oz after U.S. existing home sales rise 2.2% in December

The country’s real estate sector is in notoriously poor shape, and investors there have been reallocating their money into assets considered relatively stable and safe. The performance and share price trajectory of any company in precious metals, of course, depends a great deal on the demand for those materials. Happily for Hecla, Sibanye Stillwater, Ero, and their many peers, they are having quite the run lately. And because of this, we’re seeing what finance people like to call a flight to quality. But since March, even gold has been in free fall, along with the rest of the metals market. As we move through 2025, it will be crucial to monitor these forecasts and analyze key market developments.

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Demand for cobalt is expected to remain solid into 2025, with nearly all major automobile companies having pledged to ramp up production of EVs. All the supply chain risks and challenges with responsible sourcing will make producers use cobalt in a far more sustainable way. According to SMM, there may also likely be more emphasis on alternatives to cobalt and the recycling of cobalt from spent batteries, part offsetting some supply constraints. I feel it is, not least because Fed officials have see-sawed back and forth somewhat about their eagerness for those rate cuts, and meanwhile, 38 5 swedish krona to british pound sterling, convert 38.5 sek in gbp overseas investors and central banks remain jittery.

• According to SMM, there may also likely be more emphasis on alternatives to cobalt and the recycling of cobalt from spent batteries, part offsetting some supply constraints.
• The other significant metal for the production of lithium-ion batteries, specifically high-energy-density batteries for EVs, is nickel.
• Over the last month, the S&P GSCI Precious Metals index has risen by nearly 11%, notably outpacing the bellwether S&P 500 index for stocks.
• According to SMM, on the back of tight supply conditions, the price of nickel salts increased slightly in early 2025.
• Peter Smith pulls back the curtain on the often misinterpreted, and sometimes maligned, world of sales training.
• But since March, even gold has been in free fall, along with the rest of the metals market.

The online diamond and jewelry marketplace has expanded, introducing a new platform dedicated to colored gemstone trading. “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock. Over the last month, the S&P GSCI Precious Metals index has risen by nearly 11%, notably outpacing the bellwether S&P 500 index for stocks. Over the past week alone, against a slightly (1%) slumping S&P 500, the S&P GSCI Precious Metals’ gain has topped 5%.

Russia’s recent announcement to expand its precious metals holdings with silver is a notable example. Gold prices surpassed US$1,900 per ounce in early June—the highest since January 2021—driven by jewelry demand in China, investment inflows, and lower real euro to swedish krona exchange rate convert eur interest rates. Chinese holiday- and wedding-related jewelry purchases provided support for gold prices, but this was offset by muted Indian demand due to surging COVID-19 infections.