International News
Gold prices surged to an all-time high breaching $3,300/oz
Gold prices surged to an all-time high on Wednesday, breaching $3,300 an ounce in international spot markets for the first time as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions sent investors fleeing to traditional safe havens.
The yellow metal climbed to $3,318 per ounce in overseas trading, extending its recent rally and drawing closer to the symbolic ₹1,00,000 per 10 grams mark for 24-karat gold in India. Domestically, prices mirrored the global trend: in Delhi, gold was quoted at ₹98,100 per 10 grams by evening, while June futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) hit a record ₹95,435.
President Trump’s directive for a probe into critical minerals added to the market anxiety, reinforcing the rush toward safe haven assets.
The sharp price escalation, however, has chilled consumer demand in India—the world’s second-largest gold market—prompting local jewelers to sell at a discount to imported prices. Gold is currently trading at a 1–2% discount to its landing cost in Indian markets.
Meanwhile, silver has trailed the gold rally. International spot prices for the white metal hovered around $32.80 per ounce Wednesday, crossing ₹1,00,000 per kilogram in Delhi, but still lagging behind gold in terms of momentum.
For now, analysts expect gold’s bullish run to persist, fueled by geopolitical uncertainty, inflation concerns, and growing investor caution.
International News
De Beers Group Reports H1 2026 Production Surge
The company reported a significant increase in production volume while maintaining its full-year production target of 21 to 26 million carats.
De Beers Group today released its operational and sales performance update for the second quarter and first half of 2026. Driven by strong recovery efforts and strategic access to higher-grade ore bodies, the company reported a significant increase in production volume while maintaining its full-year production target of 21 to 26 million carats.
Despite market pressures stemming from broader macroeconomic volatility, the company continues to advance operational streamlining and cost-optimization initiatives to ensure long-term resilience.
Key Highlights & Operational Summary
- Q2 Production Surge: Production jumped 88% year-on-year to 7.8 million carats in the second quarter, bringing total H1 output to 14.9 million carats (+46% YoY).
- Volume Growth: Consolidated H1 sales volume expanded 13% to 12.4 million carats (total sales volume up 20% to 14.8 million carats).
- Full-Year Guidance Reaffirmed: Full-year output remains targeted at 21–26 million carats, with second-half production planned to balance out via scheduled maintenance and a temporary operational pause at the Venetia mine.
- Resilient High-Value Demand: While entry-level categories faced broader pricing shifts, pricing for higher-value natural diamonds remained firm, providing baseline support to the overall index.
Market Dynamics & Strategic Response
Trading conditions during the first six months of 2026 reflected ongoing global macroeconomic uncertainties and regional conflicts that weighed on general consumer sentiment. Additionally, lower-value natural categories experienced continued pressure from lab-grown alternatives.
In response, De Beers actively adjusted its sales strategies, utilizing its inventory mix to meet existing market demand. While lower-value inventory sales shifted the average realized price to $105 per carat for H1, the company noted that underlying value indices for premium, higher-grade natural goods remained stable throughout the period.
Outlook & Portfolio Optimization
Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, De Beers will align production output directly with global demand signals. The anticipated surge from H1 will be offset by:
- The previously announced two-year operational pause at the Venetia mine.
- Planned facility maintenance at the Orapa and Jwaneng operations in Botswana.
Anglo American continues to execute its operational transformation and strategic divestment plans for De Beers, ensuring capital discipline and long-term organizational value.
De Beers Group Reports H1 2026 Production Surge
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