Gold & Silver

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST) has reported strong financial results for Q4 2024, driven by double-digit growth in gold bullion and jewelry sales. Gold bullion has become a key contributor to Costco's e-commerce growth, with sales helping to boost comparable e-commerce sales by 18.9%. The company also reported a 9% year-over-year increase in net income, alongside a 40-basis-point improvement in gross margins. Additionally, Costco raised its membership fees in September 2024 and continued its global expansion with 14 new store openings, further strengthening its market position.

If you are holding U.S. dollars in a savings account, CD or money-market fund, you are slowly losing what you have saved or inherited and within a few short years you could lose the bulk of what is remaining. It is being done in such a way that most people don't notice. The hidden tax of inflation has been robbing you for quite some time and the pace and severity of this theft is increasing rapidly. If I sound alarmist, it is with intention.

Eric Sprott, co-founder of Sprott Money, shared his insights into the gold and silver markets, predicting that gold could reach $3,000 per ounce and silver $50 by year-end. While gold has recently hit record highs, silver has lagged behind despite a 20% supply shortage. Sprott remains optimistic about undervalued gold and silver stocks like Discovery Silver and Free Gold Ventures. He also highlights silver's rising demand, driven by sectors like electric vehicles and new technologies. Sprott emphasizes the importance of staying informed, as global market shifts and government actions will significantly impact the precious metals landscape.

A soaring gold price is a vote of "no confidence" in the central bank and the dollar [and]... reflect a growing restlessness with the increasing money supply, our budgetary and trade deficits, our unfunded liabilities, and the inability of Congress and the administration to reign in runaway spending. Words: 1911

“Every portfolio should have a 10% core holding of gold and silver as emergency money” was the simple and timeless message in Glen O. Kirsch conveyed 33 years ago in an article entitled: “What’s in Your Core Holdings?” and such a message is even more appropriate today given the unsettling fiscal, economic and investment environment. Words: 692

...Our gold price prediction for the coming years is directionally bullish. Some periods of weakness with gold price pullbacks may be expected... Our gold price targets are as follows:

The World Gold Council published its monthly Gold Market Commentary for August this week. Gold surged by 3.6% in August, reaching $2,513 per ounce, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and lower Treasury yields. Investors are positioning for potential rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the uncertainties surrounding the U.S. election. Demand also saw a boost from a reduction in gold import duties in India, contributing to strong buying interest. Meanwhile, gold-backed ETFs extended their four-month inflow streak. As traders brace for a volatile second half of 2024, gold remains a key hedge against risk, with global economic uncertainties and U.S. political developments fueling the demand.

The best time to invest is often when sentiment is at its lowest, and sentiment around gold and silver equities is pretty low right now. History, however, tells us that this could be the perfect time to buy.

August's drilling results from various mining companies indicate promising gold discoveries worldwide. Snowline Gold (TSXV: SGD) reported high Grade x Width values from its Rogue project in Yukon, while Spartan Resources (ASX: SPR) and Navarre Minerals (ASX: NML) revealed bonanza-grade intervals in Australia. Other notable results include i-80 Gold (TSX: IAU) in Nevada, Santana Minerals (ASX: SMI) in New Zealand, West African Resources (ASX: WAF) in Burkina Faso, and Sitka Gold (TSXV: SIG) in Yukon.

Since the start of the year, gold prices have surged over 21%, reaching US$2,508 per ounce. Key drivers include increased central bank purchases, geopolitical tensions, expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts, and persistent inflation. These factors have created a favourable environment for gold, benefiting mining companies with substantial gold resources. This article examines the leading gold producers—Newmont, Barrick, AngloGold Ashanti, Agnico Eagle, Gold Fields, and Kinross Gold—highlighting their key assets and strategic positioning in this bullish market.