International News
US jewellery, watches sales up by 4.4 per cent year-on-year
Sales of watches and jewelry in the US showed further signs of growth in December 2024, up 4.4 per cent year-on-year, according the latest figures from the US Department of Commerce. But there’s been a marked slowdown since the 10 per cent increases of last September and October.
November saw sales up by just 3.0 per cent, revised down from 5.8 per cent based on actual through-the-till transactions rather than estimates. October has been revised up from 9.7 per cent to 10.0 per cent.
The average monthly year-on-year growth for the full year is 5.4 per cent, so December was little below par. Having said that, it was the 15th consecutive month of growth after a long period (the end of 2022 and much of 2023) of falling sales.
International News
Precious Metals Under Pressure As Middle East Escalation Fuels Inflation and Rate Concerns AUGMONT BULLION REPORT
Gold Stabilized Near $4,500 After A Near 2% Decline, Weighed Down By Escalating Middle East Tensions That Have Pushed Energy Prices Sharply Higher
- Safe-Haven Dynamics – Gold stabilised near $4,500 after a near 2% decline, weighed down by escalating Middle East tensions that have pushed energy prices sharply higher and stoked inflation fears. The resulting inflationary pressure has reinforced market expectations that central banks will maintain elevated interest rates for an extended period.Â
- Geopolitical Developments – US forces successfully defended against Iranian attacks while escorting two American-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and attributed a significant fire at its Fujairah port to an Iranian drone strike. These incidents followed President Trump’s directive to restore safe passage through Hormuz and assist stranded vessels, though shipowners remain cautious given the heightened security environment.
- Macro-economic Signals – The renewed escalation has undermined confidence in the four-week ceasefire, triggering a surge in oil prices and global bond yields on expectations of tighter monetary policy ahead. The CME FedWatch Tool indicates the Fed will hold rates steady through 2026, while markets have begun pricing rate hikes for 2027 — the probability of a January 2027 increase has jumped to 22% from near zero just one week prior.Â
Technical Triggers
- Gold is expected to trade in the range of $4500-$4850 (~ Rs 148,000 -155,000).
- Silver is expected to trade in the range of $71-$80 (~ Rs 235,000 -255,000).
Support and Resistance
| International Gold Support Level International Gold Resistance Level Domestic Gold Support Level Domestic Gold Resistance Level | : $4450/oz : $4850/oz : Rs 145,000/10 gm : Rs 155,000/10 gm |
| International Silver Support Level International Silver Resistance Level Domestic Silver Support Level Domestic Silver Resistance Level | : $68/oz : $77/oz : Rs 225,000/kg : Rs 255,000/kg |
-
DiamondBuzz10 minutes agoSA Diplomatic Delegation Visits BDB
-
DiamondBuzz1 hour agoMother’s Day Gifting Edit By Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds: A Thoughtful Sparkle For Every Kind Of Mom
-
International News2 hours agoPrecious Metals Under Pressure As Middle East Escalation Fuels Inflation and Rate Concerns AUGMONT BULLION REPORT
-
BrandBuzz3 hours agoDivine Solitaires Launches A Heartfelt Mother’s Day Campaign Celebrating The Woman Behind Every Milestone


