International News
US Watch and jewelry sales remain steady in March, overall increase of 0.4 percent
US Watch and jewelry sales remained steady in March, with a slight overall increase of 0.4 per cent, according to the latest US Department of Commerce figures. Jewelry sales rose slightly, while
Watch and jewelry sales in the US remained steady in March, with a slight overall increase of 0.4 per cent, according to the latest US Department of Commerce figures. Jewelry sales rose slightly, while watch sales dipped, as consumers opted for higher-priced items, but bought fewer of them.
In February overall sales increased by just 0.2 per cent and in January they fell by 1.0 per cent
The US government’s BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis) reported a 0.7 per cent increase in consumer spending in March, the biggest increase for two years, but said it was largely driven by a rush to buy cars before US reciprocal tariffs forced prices up.
Watch and jewelry sales have been characterized by very modest increases in recent months, following on from a year of sustained growth – 10 per cent or more in some months – as shown below.
Reciprocal US tariffs – announced in April, then paused until July – will almost certainly hit sales, as producers forced to either absorb the costs or pass them on to consumers.
International News
Democrats Win In Midterm Polls Could Significantly Lift Industrial Demand For Silver
World Gold Council Data Going Back To 1970 Show Gold Rising 62% Of The Time In The Six Months After A Midterm, With A Median Gain Of Just 2%,
· Midterm Election Snapshot: Americans are voting for 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governorships. Forecasters expect Democrats to win the House (~90% chance), while the Senate remains a toss-up driven by voter concerns over inflation, tariffs, and the Iran conflict.
· Government Gridlock: A Democratic House would constrain President Trump’s agenda, leading to potential gridlock over spending and taxes.
· Impact on Precious Metals: Election outcomes matter to gold and silver mainly through their impact on Treasury yields and the US dollar. Silver enters the vote under weaker pressure, while gold holds up better.
· Historical Pattern: Since 1970, gold rises 62% of the time in the 6 months following a midterm, with a median gain of 2%—though past patterns are not guaranteed to repeat in 2026.
· National Debt Factor: A full Democratic sweep (“blue sweep”) could focus trader attention on the $40.5 trillion national debt ($120,000 per US citizen), which could eventually boost investment demand for both metals.
· War & Geopolitics: Funding for the 250+ day conflict with Iran would face heavy resistance in a Democratic Congress. An earlier end to the conflict would help gold and silver regain their traditional safe-haven status.
· Industrial Boost for Silver: Democratic policies prioritizing social infrastructure and green energy legislation would significantly lift industrial demand for physical silver, potentially aiding its effort to break back above the historic $50 mark.
· Interest Rate Risks: Higher federal spending could widen deficits and weaken the dollar (bullish for metals), but higher real interest rates and elevated Treasury yields could weigh on gold more than silver.
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