December 2014 Was A Rough Month For Miners – SNL Metals & Mining

(Kitco News) – The last month of 2014 was not kind to miners as market capitalization, as well as general activity, was down, according to a report by SNL Metals & Mining.

British Royal Mint Brings Back Gold, Silver Bars After 47-Year Absence

After a nearly 50-year hiatus, the Royal Mint announced on Wednesday its intention to offer gold and silver bars bearing the mint’s historic refinery brand.

Gold Pushes Above $1,300, Hits 5-Month High

Gold prices have moved above what was psychological resistance at the $1,300.00 level and hit another five-month high in early U.S. trading Wednesday.

The 6 PM Recap With Gary Wagner: Why Gold Is Rising Now

BNP Paribas Updates Inflation Forecasts Following December CPI’s 0.4% Drop

Following the release of U.S. Consumer Price Index data for December last week, BNP Paribas has updated its inflation forecast to be 1.7% in 2015, down from its previous forecast of 1.9%. “Under our new forecast, the quarterly year-on-year rate of headline inflation falls below zero for three quarters (Q1-Q3 2015); previously we had expected negative y/y headline inflation rates for only two quarters,” they said Tuesday. After recording its biggest decline in six years, December CPI figures, which was released on Friday, dropped by 0.4%, but was still in line with expectations. “Steep drops in airfares (-5%), apparel (-1.2%) and used vehicle prices (-1.2%) accounted for about 50% of the downside surprise to core CPI,” they added. “We still expect an acceleration in core prices in H2 2015, as labor markets tighten and strength in final demand passes through into services prices,” they said.

Gold Solidly Up, Hits 5.5-Mo. High, on Safe-Haven Ahead of Big Event Week

More safe-haven demand and chart-based buying propelled the gold market to a 5.5-month high Tuesday. This week is an extra important one for the market place and many traders and investors are anxious. The coming days will see critical fundamental news…

Less Pie To Share, Richest 1% Take Most Of It – Oxfam

Ahead of the Davos 2015 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, one international foundation aimed at eliminating poverty said the wealthy elite will keep getting a bigger piece of the pie unless something is done.

Capital Economics: IMF’s Lower Forecasts Reflect Previous Over-Optimism, Not Pessimism

Although UK-based research firm Capital Economics does not entirely agree with some of the International Monetary Fund’s latest forecasts, they say that the recent downgrades made by the fund largely reflect previous “over-optimism” rather than pessimism, and their forecasts still remain too positive. “Although we agree with the IMF that the collapse in oil prices is a net positive for world GDP, its forecasts for global growth still look too optimistic,” global economist for Capital Economics Michael Pearce says. The IMF released its latest quarterly update of global economic forecasts Tuesday, downgrading its global growth expectations to 3.5% in 2015, from 3.8%. “The IMF lowered its growth forecasts for most countries, but in many cases these downgrades did not go far enough,” Pearce says in the report. Looking closer at Europe, he says they think the IMF is too confident about the risk of deflation in the region. “The IMF expects inflation in advanced economies to average 1% this year. In contrast, we think it will be close to zero,” he says. The IMF also increased its growth forecast for the U.S. to 3.6% this year, as a result of lower oil prices and increased domestic demand. “While we agree that the dramatic fall in oil prices will provide a big boost to the U.S. economy, other factors, including the stronger dollar and slightly higher interest rates, suggest that growth in the U.S. may not be quite as spectacular as the IMF suspects,” Pearce says. “Our view is that world GDP is likely to expand by just over 3% this year and next.”

Germany Makes Significant Progress Repatriating Its Gold

(Kitco News) – Germany continued to repatriate gold in 2014, moving a total of 120 tonnes from the Banque de France and New York Federal Reserve, the Deutsche Bundesbank said on Monday.

Oyu Tolgoi Full Potential Not Unlocked Until Agreement Reached With Mongolian Government – CIBC

Turquoise Hill Resources’ (TSX:TRQ)(NYSE:TRQ) Oyu Tolgoi mine, located in Mongolia, has the potential to be a world class mine; but de-risking is still necessary as the company and the Mongolian government need to come to an agreement.