International News

Gold declines and investors opt for dollar, prioritize liquidity

Published

1 year ago

April 8, 2025

Gold, often considered the quintessential safe-haven asset, witnessed a notable retreat on Monday, slipping over 2% from last week’s record highs. This downturn came as investors, rattled by escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, shifted their focus towards the U.S. dollar and other safe-haven currencies like the Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen. The move reflects a broader market recalibration in the face of renewed economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Spot gold prices fell by 2.4%, settling at $2,963.19 an ounce by early afternoon ET. During the session, the precious metal touched a near four-week low of $2,955.89. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures also closed 2% lower at $2,973.60. This decline follows an all-time high of $3,167.57 reached just last Thursday, underscoring the volatility gripping the commodities market.

Investor sentiment shifted in favor of the U.S. dollar, which rebounded from a six-month low. A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for holders of other currencies, putting downward pressure on its price. This change in preference indicates that, during times of acute uncertainty, investors may prioritize liquidity and ease of access — qualities traditionally associated with the dollar — over long-term value storage like gold.

The gold market is currently experiencing significant stress, largely driven by liquidity concerns and speculative activity. According to Bart Melek, head of commodity strategies at TD Securities, margin covering by traders — the need to cover losses on leveraged positions — has added to gold’s downward pressure. This phenomenon typically accelerates declines as investors sell assets to raise cash.

The primary catalyst for the market turmoil is the intensification of the U.S.-China trade conflict. President Donald Trump has floated the possibility of imposing a 50% tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing fails to roll back its own retaliatory tariffs. Meanwhile, speculation that the U.S. administration might pause tariffs for 90 days on all nations except China was dismissed by the White House as “fake news,” adding to the confusion and uncertainty.

Despite the short-term dip in gold, the broader macroeconomic backdrop continues to support a bullish outlook for the precious metal. Futures markets are now pricing in approximately 120 basis points of rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve by the end of the year. The probability of a rate cut as early as May has also risen to 37%. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, thereby boosting their attractiveness.

Analysts remain optimistic about gold’s long-term potential. The metal continues to benefit from robust central bank demand and remains a favored hedge during periods of financial instability and geopolitical strain. The recent correction may be seen more as a pause or consolidation phase rather than a reversal of trend, particularly given the fragile state of the global economy.

Related Topics:2025 Gold Market nationalnews

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International News

VO Vintage Returns To Vicenza With Prestigious Jewellery, Watches and Collecting Culture

The B2C Marketplace Will Bring Together 52 Italian and International Dealers, Unique and Collectable Pieces, and A Programme Of Talks and Meetings With Experts, Collectors and Leading Figures In Watchmaking Culture

Published

3 hours ago

August 29, 2026

JewelBuzz Spread The Buzz

Vintage jewellery and watches will once again be main features in Vicenza from 4th to 7th September with VO Vintage, the B2C marketplace where a selection of leading Italian and international dealers specialising in vintage jewellery and collectable timepieces will gather in Hall 8.1 at Italian Exhibition Group’s Expo Centre.

An off-shoot of Vicenzaoro’s experience in meeting the growing demand of an increasingly informed and keen audience, VO Vintage has grown with each edition, asserting its identity as a leading event for collectors, enthusiasts, dealers and experts.

The format combines a highly curated selection of items with a strong cultural and experiential dimension. Besides the chance to purchase unique and valuable pieces, visitors will be able to meet specialists, learn more about the history and craftsmanship of the objects, and engage with a like-minded community.

With a selection of 52 dealers, 29 Italian and international jewellery retailers and 23 specialist watch retailers, the September edition will be 25% larger than last year, matching the variety of products that visitors were able to enjoy in January.

Matteo Pollini, Exhibition Manager at Italian Exhibition Group Explained:

“VO Vintage’s growth also reflects the younger generations’ interest in the world of vintage as they are increasingly drawn to the opportunity to discover and purchase items with a history, identity and value that can extend beyond the commercial sphere.”

which organises the event during Vicenzaoro September. “We blend passion, expertise and discovery, creating an environment where the public can approach collecting with greater awareness.”

PRESTIGIOUS VINTAGE JEWELLERY AND WATCHES

From unique 20th-century pieces and valuable icons to watches that have shaped the history of watchmaking, VO Vintage offers a journey through historic companies, rarities and items of particular interest to collectors.

One of the most eagerly awaited returns is Spangaro & Co., which will be back with a preview of its famous The One auction event, adding a further highlight to the exhibition programme for fine watchmaking collectors and enthusiasts.

The pre-owned watch line-up will include Antonio Nocco’s Il Quadrante, Prezioso, Vintage Watches Milano, Gioielleria Cenciarini and Casciola dal 1950.

Vintage jewellery will be represented by Zagari, Neapolitan jewellers who have been specialising in vintage signed jewellery, old-cut diamonds and coloured gemstones for five generations; E.L.A. Antichità from Bergamo, a leading name in Italy amongst enthusiasts of period and vintage jewellery for 25 years; and the I Santi Medici art gallery in La Spezia, which deals in period jewellery from aristocratic collections.

For collectors who place particular emphasis on the quality of stones and gems, Italian Vintage Jewellery from Crema, founded by two gemmologists with experience in international diamond and jewellery companies, will be in attendance.

From the Netherlands, EL&L Finery, run by Lisa Finkelman van der Plas, who, following in her family’s footsteps, is renowned for collectable European pieces ranging from late 19th to early 20th-century antiques to vintage items from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

New entries will include Thomas Huijbrechts, also from the Netherlands, Twinkle D from Monaco, and Nishyda, Daniel Nessim, Excellent Diamond and Fabiani Group from Italy.

A WEEKEND OF PASSION AND INFORMATION

VO Vintage also asserts its identity through a programme of events. An integral part of the experience is its agenda of meetings, talks and in-depth sessions that offer the chance to gain a first-hand understanding of the timepiece world’s history, craftsmanship and evolution as well as to delve into the universe of collecting, not only through the rare pieces on display, but also through the stories and the people involved.

On Saturday, 5th September, Dody Giussani, editor of L’Orologio magazine, and Pietro Pannone, founder of Ghiera Orologi and co-author of the Laboratorio podcast, will be recording a live episode on the theme Watchmaking that speaks Italian to the world dedicated to the challenges of managing a major watchmaking group: from distribution to the differentiated management of licences and in-house brands.

Massimo Carraro, President and CEO of the Morellato Group, will be taking part in a discussion on the business model of a group that now boasts 14 in-house brands, 7 licensed brands and 5 distributed brands, including Sector, Philip Watch, Karl Lagerfeld, Maserati, Fossil, Emporio Armani and Diesel.

The event aims to highlight the increasingly central role of outreach and community building in the contemporary watchmaking world by comparing expertise, experience and new ways of enhancing watch culture.

The Watch of the Year 2026 awards ceremony (on invitation only), an award assigned by L’Orologio magazine readers, will take place in the evening.

On Sunday, Irene Baiardi, watchmaker and Chamber of Commerce-accredited expert at Gioielleria Orologeria Baiardi Andrea in Bologna, will present The Art of the Chronograph: iconic companies, mechanics and a glossary for collectors, an in-depth exploration of how the chronograph works through the process of reassembly, covering both the mechanisms and history of watchmaking, to delve into the chronograph’s appeal and tradition.

Watch Insanity will be presenting two events. Editor-in-chief Michele Mengoli and publisher Jacopo Giudici will be bringing DEEP-X to VO Vintage, the collective project celebrating Watch Insanity’s 10th anniversary with a one-of-a-kind timepiece and an ultra-personalized Made in Italy movement, outlined by Riccardo Paradisi, founder of Paradisi Watches, Giancarlo Rota, operations director at Oisa 1937, and watch designer, Carmelo Amalfi (Saturday).

On Sunday, the event entitled The Italian micro-brand out to conquer the world will focus on Venezianico, a company that has achieved a turnover of 15 million euros and an annual production of around 40,000 watches.