Although recent conflicts in the Middle East have caused short-term volatility in gold prices, the medium- and long-term outlook remains positive as high geopolitical risks, increasing fiscal deficits, and continued buying by central banks will continue to support the price of the precious metal.

[World Platinum Investment Council: Platinum Market Expected to Face Third Consecutive Shortage in 2025, Currently Estimated at 26 mt] The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) released the Q4 2024 and full-year "Platinum Quarterly" on March 5 and revised its forecast for 2025. The market is expected to face a third consecutive shortage in 2025, with the deficit deepening, currently estimated at 26 mt. Demand in 2025 is expected to decrease by 5% to 244 mt, though it will remain well above the five-year average since 2020, while total supply is expected to decline YoY by 4% to 218 mt.