CME hike to margin requirements for gold and silver pause the rally–for a moment–I’d buy on the dip

CME hike to margin requirements for gold and silver pause the rally–for a moment–I’d buy on the dip

It’s not surprising to me that the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s decision to hike margin requirements for gold and silver trading not once but twice in a week took a bite out of gold and silver prices. What is surprising to me is how small the drop in prices for gold and silver have been relative to the historic gains the two metals recorded in 2025. I’d buy, especially silver, on the dip.

Saturday Night Quarterback says, on a Sunday, for the week ahead expect…

Saturday Night Quarterback says, on a Sunday, for the week ahead expect…

I expect the huge 2025 rally in gold and silver to finish the year strong. But with the possibility of volatility as institutional investors try to game the next move in precious metals. In case you’re not up to date on this rally, gold was up 76% for 2025 as of December 26. Silver was up 160%. Gains like those inevitably fill investors heads with thoughts of corrections and reversions to the mean. But I think selling now is premature.

I’m buying gold on the dip

Saturday Night Quarterback (on a Sunday) says, For the week ahead expect…gold to be the winner from the shutdown

The government shutdown will push gold past $4,000 an ounce. That would be a double in less than two years. Gold closed at $3908 an ounce on Friday. Gold was hot before the shutdown because it benefits from lower interest rates that reduce the opportunity cost of holding it, and from higher inflation, which reinforces its role as a store of value. It also rises when the dollar falls, both because it’s priced in dollars and because it competes with cash. All three factors were working in gold’s favor. And then came the shutdown, which further weakened faith in the U.S. dollar.

There’s trouble at the long end of the bond market

There’s trouble at the long end of the bond market

President Donald Trump’s efforts to force the Federal Reserve to more aggressively lower short-term interest rates is having the opposite effect at the long-end of the Treasury market. Today, Tuesday August 26, the yield on the 30-year Treasury rose three basis points to 4.92%. The 30-year yield is now up 81 basis points or 0.81 percentage points, in the last year. The gap between five and 30-year yields is the widest since 2021.
Today the dollar also fell, dropping 3 basis points against both the euro and the Canadian dollar.

I’m buying gold on the dip

Gold chaos! Tariff confusion!

Today the U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an opinion that one-kilogram and 100-ounce gold bars are subject to the Trump tariffs including the 39% tariff on exports from Switzerland. A letter from the agency stunned traders who had assumed gold bullion would be exempted from the tariffs ordered by President Donald Trump. The agency issued the letter after a gold refiner in Switzerland asked for clarification. Futures in New York, which are backed by bars shipped from Switzerland and other key trading and refining hubs, surged overnight to a record. They later erased those gains after an official said Friday that the White House intends to issue an executive order to clarify what that person described as misinformation. Gold, it seems, will not be subject to these tariffs.

Please watch my new YouTube video Hot Money moves: China buys gold

Please watch my new YouTube video Hot Money moves: China buys gold

Today’s Hot Money Moves NOW is China Buys More Gold. Gold seems like a good asset to own right now but it’s also trading at record highs. So while gold is safe, especially if inflation goes up, how much higher do you expect gold to go? One thing to look at it is who is emerging as a buyer. Central banks have been buying gold to hedge risks and diversify, which has contributed to the record highs. Recently, the Chinese government announced that 10 big Chinese insurance companies will now be allowed to put up to 1% of their portfolios into gold. This hasn’t been allowed in the past and will provide about $27 billion for new gold buying. This is also just another sign that countries and businesses are looking to hedge risk by buying gold and it’s one of the safer places to be in an uncertain market.