Gold, silver prices soar to new record highs as investors hunt for safety

Both Gold and silver prices hit record highs on Monday, driven by geopolitical tensions and market expectations for further U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Spot gold prices breached 4,420 U.S. dollars per ounce during the intraday trading on Monday, while gold futures contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) briefly surpassed 4,450 U.S. dollars per ounce, both hitting all-time highs.

In addition, the silver futures contract on NYMEX climbed above 69.5 U.S. dollars per ounce on Monday, surging nearly three percent, also reaching a record high.

Bloomberg News reported that escalating geopolitical tensions and market expectations for further Fed rate cuts were the primary drivers behind the soaring gold prices.

Traders anticipate the Fed will cut rates twice in 2026 following last week's release of a series of U.S. economic data.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has consistently advocated more accommodative monetary policies.

Persistent geopolitical tensions in recent weeks have also heightened the safe-haven appeal of gold and silver.

Bloomberg projected on Monday that both gold and silver are poised for their strongest annual gains since 1979.

Due to purchases of central banks and inflows into exchange traded funds (ETFs), gold prices have surged by about two-thirds this year.

Gold-backed ETFs have recorded five consecutive weeks of increased inflows.

World Gold Council data shows that, except for May, the total holdings of these funds have increased month on month this year.

Beyond central banks, investors have also played a significant role in the gold price rally.

Fueled by concerns over the value of sovereign bonds and their denominating currencies, investors have been fleeing these assets.

The Wall Street Journal reported in October that investors who were concerned about the outlook for currencies like the U.S. dollar were aggressively buying alternative assets such as gold.

Goldman Sachs released a research report on December 18, forecasting that gold prices would rise to 4,900 U.S. dollars per ounce by the end of 2026.

Gold, silver prices soar to new record highs as investors hunt for safety

Gold, silver prices soar to new record highs as investors hunt for safety

Gold, silver prices soar to new record highs as investors hunt for safety

Gold, silver prices soar to new record highs as investors hunt for safety

Gold, silver prices soar to new record highs as investors hunt for safety

Bilateral ties between Seychelles and China are entering a new phase of expansion, driven by rising trade volumes, growing private-sector engagement and emerging cooperation in the blue economy and digital innovation, President of Seychelles Patrick Herminie said.

Data shows that trade and economic cooperation between the two nations has maintained strong momentum, with bilateral trade reaching 55 million U.S. dollars from January to September 2025, up 22.9 percent year on year.

In a recent interview with China Media Group (CMG), Herminie shared his insights into the drivers behind the growth.

"Chinese, they've been from the very outset, that is, at the beginning of the formation of Seychelles, they were the main traders. But this has increased over the years, mainly because of easier access to market and of course greater interest by the private sector and the public as well in Chinese goods. And at the same time, we are now importing cars from China. So it can only get better, it can only increase the trade relation between the two countries," said the president.

Meanwhile, Herminie highlighted broad prospects in emerging sectors and innovation-driven development the two sides can pursue to further deepen the ties, noting that Seychelles is looking to leverage cooperation with China to unlock long-term development potential.

"There is a lot of potential starting with the the blue economy itself and important aspects of the blue economy like aquaculture, mariculture, we have a lot of potential here and we can develop those potentials. This is the future for e-governance, for economic efficacy. Artificial intelligence is our future of the world, so to speak. So, we feel that China can help us tremendously," he noted.

President of Seychelles sees expanding trade, strategic future with China