International News
Valentine’s Day jewelry spending in US to hit new high – NRF
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US shoppers will buy $6.5 billion worth of jewelry for Valentine’s Day, setting a new record for the segment, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). That will make it the biggest category for consumer spending by value, ahead of an evening out, flowers, candy and greeting cards, the NRF said Thursday. That figure is 2% higher than the $6.4 million consumers were set to spend on jewelry for the holiday a year ago.
More than a third of consumers plan to shop online for gifts leading up to Valentine’s Day, the top destination, according to new data from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.The survey asked 8,020 adult consumers in the first week of January about their Valentine’s Day shopping plans, the authors said. They found that consumers plan to spend an average of $188.81 on the holiday. That’s up slightly from $185.81 in 2024, the NRF noted.
Overall outlay on gifts for loved ones will come to $27.5 billion, the NRF forecast — up 7% from the $25.8 billion estimate it released before Valentine’s Day last year, and the highest figure since the NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics began conducting their annual survey in 2004. The last record for spending was in 2020.
More than half of US consumers said they would celebrate the holiday in 2025, the NRF noted. Of those looking to spend, the average consumer will lay out $189, up 2% from last year and on par with 2020’s pre-pandemic level. The rise is the result of increased spending on significant others, which will reach a record $14.6 billion, up 3% year on year. Total outlay on gifts for family members is set to grow 7% to $4.3 billion.
Popular choices for gift givers included candy, which 56% of respondents chose, while flowers and greeting cards each attracted a 40% share. More than a third said they would spend on an evening out, while some 22% opted for jewelry as their number-one purchase for a loved one. The survey found that 38% of all shoppers were set to make their purchases online, while 34% aimed to buy from department stores, 29% from discount shops, and 18% at both florists and specialty shops.

International News
Gold continues upward march;Bank of America forecasts $5,000/oz for 2026

Gold prices in India saw a modest rise on Wednesday today Oct 15, mirroring an uptick in international markets as renewed US-China trade tensions and expectations of further US interest rate cuts bolstered demand for safe-haven assets.24k gold traded at Rs.1,28,360/10gm after gaining ₹10 in early trade, while silver prices increased by Rs.100 to Rs.1,89,100 per kilogram.
Gold prices surged to a record high of $4,179.48 per ounce on October 14, 2025. Investors flocked to safe-haven metals amid trade tensions and Fed rate-cut expectations. U.S. December gold futures jumped 57% year-to-date. Bank of America raised its 2026 gold forecast to $5,000 per ounce, warning of possible near-term corrections.
Gold prices soared to an unprecedented $4,179.48 per ounce on October 14, 2025, marking a historic milestone for the yellow metal. The rally comes as investors worldwide seek safety in hard assets amid a turbulent global economic backdrop marked by escalating trade tensions, slowing growth, and expectations of further interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The sharp surge in bullion prices has been driven by a combination of macroeconomic uncertainty and aggressive monetary easing. As inflation pressures remain sticky and central banks pivot toward dovish policies, gold has reasserted its role as a hedge against both currency debasement and market volatility.
In futures trading, U.S. December gold contracts have skyrocketed nearly 57% so far this year, underscoring the strength of investor demand across both institutional and retail segments. Analysts note that central bank buying—particularly from emerging markets—has added further momentum to the rally, with several countries diversifying reserves away from the U.S. dollar.
Reflecting this bullish sentiment, Bank of America has raised its 2026 gold price forecast to $5,000 per ounce, citing continued monetary easing, geopolitical instability, and robust central bank accumulation. However, the bank also cautioned that short-term corrections are likely, given the rapid pace of the recent run-up and potential bouts of profit-taking.
Overall, gold’s meteoric rise underscores a broader shift toward safe-haven assets, as investors navigate a world increasingly defined by economic fragmentation, shifting interest rate cycles, and persistent geopolitical risks.
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