International News
Comex gold prices poised to reach US$3,600 by year-end amid global uncertainty: Ventura
Gold is projected to hit $3,600 by year-end 2025, says Ventura, driven by geopolitical tensions, ETF inflows, central bank buying, and India’s record digital gold investment growth.
According to Ventura, a leading full-service stock broking platform, Gold prices are expected to remain elevated in the second half of 2025. This is supported by macroeconomic headwinds, geopolitical tensions, and robust investment demand. Ventura expects Comex Gold to touch US$3,600 by year-end, after hitting a record high of US$3,534.10 on August 7, 2025, surpassing the previous peak of US$3,509.90 set in April 2025.
Over the past 20 years, gold has delivered positive annual returns in 14 calendar years, reinforcing its status as a proven store of value and a hedge against inflation. Recent performance underscores its resilience, with average annual returns of 23% over the last three years compared to 11% for the Nifty 50. In volatile market conditions, gold’s negative correlation to equities has provided effective diversification, cushioning portfolio losses during sell-offs while participating in upswings.
India’s Gold ETF Market Witnesses Record Growth India’s gold ETF holdings rose 42% year-on-year to 66.68 tons as of June 30, 2025, with AUM surging 88% to Rs 64,777 crore. The number of investor accounts expanded 41% to 76.54 lakh, reflecting growing preference for digital gold investments. This shift from traditional jewelry ownership to tech-enabled investment channels is being driven by Gen Z investors, fractional ownership models, and the influence of social media and fintech innovations.

NS Ramaswamy, Head of Commodities, Ventura, said: “Gold’s strategic role in portfolios has strengthened as investors navigate an era of slower global growth, policy uncertainty, and elevated geopolitical risks. With inflationary pressures, a softening US dollar, and anticipated US Fed rate cuts, we see sustained upside potential in gold prices through the remainder of 2025. Our analysis indicates COMEX Gold could test the $3,600 mark by year-end, supported by strong ETF inflows, steady central bank buying, and robust retail participation in India’s gold investment market.”
DiamondBuzz
Diamond Slump forces Debswana to diversify into copper, platinum and solar
Diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios
Debswana Diamond Company, the 50–50 joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers, is moving to diversify into copper, platinum and renewable energy as the prolonged downturn in natural diamond demand pressures earnings and forces the industry to rethink its growth strategy.
The company’s board has approved plans to invest in a portfolio of non-diamond projects after revenue fell 46% in 2024, the latest available financial year, highlighting the scale of the downturn in the global diamond market.

The move signals a strategic shift toward commodities with stronger long-term demand fundamentals, particularly copper, which is central to global electrification and energy-transition infrastructure.
Debswana’s diversification reflects a broader industry pivot as diamond producers confront weak consumer demand, rising competition from lab-grown stones and elevated inventories across the supply chain.
The shift is also visible among smaller exploration companies. Botswana Diamonds recently rebranded as Botswana Minerals, signalling its own strategic focus on copper exploration rather than diamonds.
Together, these moves underscore a growing consensus across the sector: the era of diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios anchored in energy-transition metals.
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