Gold and silver prices are expected to begin the week on a strong note when trading resumes on Monday, as escalating tensions in the Middle East push investors toward safe-haven assets, analysts said.

According to Japan Metal Daily, the loading price (base price) of aluminium ingots equipped with large strings, which serves as a crucial indicator for determining the prices of Japanese rolled aluminium products available in retail outlets, has been firmly set at JPY 390 per kilogram (equivalent to $3 per kilogram) for the period spanning from October to December 2023.