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
Precious Metals Bounce Back As Iran Ceasefire Hopes Rise, But Fed Rate Fears Loom: AUGMONT BULLION REPORT
Gold Remains Under Short-term Pressure from Expectations of Fed Tightening and a Strong Dollar. However, Investor Positioning in Gold Looks Relatively Light After Months of ETF Outflows.
Price Movement – Gold has bounced back from its key support levels near $3960, and Silver has recovered from $55, after an Iranian official reportedly received a proposal for a 10-day ceasefire. The continuing US-Iran standoff has kept investors worried about energy-driven inflation and the possibility of further rate hikes. Markets are now pricing in an 83% chance of a US rate hike in December, up sharply from 73% just a week earlier, based on the CME FedWatch tool.
Geopolitical Tensions – Despite the Houthis announcing fresh military action, both Tehran and Washington appear keen to restart talks and stop the escalating attacks that have nearly destroyed a fragile interim agreement reached last month. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that mediators had proposed a 10-day ceasefire, aimed at rescuing the interim deal and eventually leading to a lasting peace agreement.
Macro-Economic Signals – Gold remains under short-term pressure from expectations of Fed tightening and a strong dollar. However, investor positioning in gold looks relatively light after months of ETF outflows, meaning further price drops may be limited. Strong physical demand, especially from China, along with continued central bank buying, is providing solid support to the gold market.
Technical Triggers
If Gold fails to hold above $4,000 (~Rs.1,41,000), it could slide further to $3,900 (~Rs.1,38,000). But if it manages to stay above $4,200, a fresh rally could take it toward $4,500 (~Rs.1,55,000).
For Silver, a strong move above $63 (~Rs.2,35,000) could push prices toward $70–71 (~Rs.2,51,000–2,55,000). On the other hand, a fall below $55 (~Rs.2,14,000) may drag it down to $50 (~Rs.2,00,000).
Support and Resistance
| International Gold Support Level International Gold Resistance Level Domestic Gold Support Level Domestic Gold Resistance Level | : $3900/oz : $4160/oz : Rs 137,000/10 gm : Rs 147,000/10 gm |
| International Silver Support Level International Silver Resistance Level Domestic Silver Support Level Domestic Silver Resistance Level | : $55/oz : $63/oz : Rs 214,000/kg : Rs 235,000/kg |
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