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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.
Gold prices in the U.S. have moved back above $4,700 per ounce, with spot gold trading near $4,750 on Thursday, May 7, 2026. This marks a gain of over 1% in a single day, following its strongest rise in more than five weeks on Wednesday.
Although gold is still around 15% below its record high of nearly $5,595 per ounce, reached in January 2026, prices remain much higher than the $4,300–$4,400 support range seen during the market decline in late March.
Gold has been trading in a narrow range since the Iran conflict began in late February. During that period, prices dropped by more than 10% as rising oil prices increased inflation concerns, forcing the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged and pushing Treasury yields higher.
Now, market conditions are changing. Oil prices are easing, bond yields are falling, and investors are returning to gold, making it more attractive again.
Three main factors are supporting the recent rise in gold prices:
1. Falling U.S. Treasury yields:
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond has dropped from around 4.4%, reducing the cost of holding gold. Since gold does not pay interest, lower bond yields make it a more attractive investment.
2. A weaker U.S. dollar:
A softer dollar generally helps gold prices, as it makes gold cheaper for buyers using other currencies.
3. Optimism over U.S.–Iran talks:
Renewed hopes of diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran have improved market sentiment, adding support to gold prices.
With Treasury yields easing and inflation fears cooling, one of the biggest pressures on gold since March is beginning to fade.
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