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Gold Takes a Breather after Safe-haven Demand Fuels Record Run

(FILES) A worker displays a one kilogram gold bullion bar at the ABC Refinery in Sydney on August 5, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
(FILES) A worker displays a one kilogram gold bullion bar at the ABC Refinery in Sydney on August 5, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
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Gold Takes a Breather after Safe-haven Demand Fuels Record Run

(FILES) A worker displays a one kilogram gold bullion bar at the ABC Refinery in Sydney on August 5, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
(FILES) A worker displays a one kilogram gold bullion bar at the ABC Refinery in Sydney on August 5, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Gold took a breather from a record run on Thursday, as investors booked profits a day after bullion breached the $4,000 level for the first time ever on economic and geopolitical uncertainties and hopes of further US interest rate cuts this year.

Spot gold lost 0.2% to $4,029.86 per ounce, as of 0642 GMT, after hitting a record high of $4,059.05 on Wednesday.

US gold futures for December delivery fell 0.6% to $4,047.80, Reuters said.

On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal that could open the way to ending Israel's bloody two-year-old war, which the UN says constituted a genocide.

"You can't look past the significance of the Phase-one deal between Israel and Hamas (given) one of the reasons why gold's been moving higher is geopolitical risks, but it's probably just a handy excuse to take profits after hitting another record," said Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda.

Meanwhile, Federal Reserve officials agreed that risks to the US job market were high enough to warrant a rate cut, but remained wary amid stubborn inflation, per minutes of the September 16–17 meeting released on Wednesday.

Markets are pricing in a 25-basis-point cut each in October and December, with probabilities of 93% and 78%, respectively, per the CME FedWatch tool.

"We still see things as being rather constructive because all the fundamentals (for gold) remain pointed upwards," he added.

Non-yielding gold thrives in a low-interest-rate environment and during times of economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Global markets struggled this week amid political turmoil in Japan and France, coupled with an ongoing US government shutdown, sparking a flight to safety in gold.

Gold has climbed 54% year-to-date on strong central bank buying, increased demand for gold-backed Exchange-Traded Fund (ETFs), a weaker dollar and safe-haven demand.

Elsewhere, spot silver gained 0.4% to $49.06 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $49.57 on Wednesday. Platinum slipped 0.6% to $1,653.52 and palladium rose 1.1% to $1,465.73.

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SME Bank Signs 19 Agreements Worth over SAR3 Billion to Strengthen Finance, Development

The memoranda of understanding aim to establish a unified development-finance model that serves small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across various economic sectors - SPA
The memoranda of understanding aim to establish a unified development-finance model that serves small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across various economic sectors - SPA
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SME Bank Signs 19 Agreements Worth over SAR3 Billion to Strengthen Finance, Development

The memoranda of understanding aim to establish a unified development-finance model that serves small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across various economic sectors - SPA
The memoranda of understanding aim to establish a unified development-finance model that serves small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across various economic sectors - SPA

The Small and Medium Enterprises Bank (SME Bank) signed 19 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with entities from both the public and private sectors, with a total value exceeding SAR3 billion, in support of the development finance ecosystem and the empowerment of enterprises as part of the Development Finance Conference MOMENTUM 2025, SPA reported.

The memoranda of understanding aim to establish a unified development-finance model that serves small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across various economic sectors and enhances integration among development entities under the National Development Fund ecosystem, thereby contributing to improving financing efficiency and expanding SMEs’ access to sustainable financing solutions.

The cooperation agreements come as an extension of the bank's commitment to expanding the range of financing options through strategic partnerships that support growth and sustainability, enable entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, and strengthen the role of the private sector in supporting the national economy and increasing its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).

Business

Saudi Arabia Seals 62 Market Access Deals Since Joining WTO

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Seals 62 Market Access Deals Since Joining WTO

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has secured 62 market access deals in goods and services since joining the World Trade Organization, alongside 379 rounds of in person and virtual negotiations, and 42 laws and regulations enacted to fulfill its pre-accession commitments, the General Authority for Foreign Trade said in a report.

The kingdom became the WTO’s 149th member in December 2005 after 12 years of talks, a milestone that reshaped Saudi Arabia’s trade landscape and pushed it toward deeper global integration.

Accession paved the way for foreign investment, expanded non oil exports, strengthened the commercial ecosystem and enhanced transparency and international dispute settlement in line with WTO rules.

This month marks two decades since Saudi Arabia entered the global trade body, a period defined by sweeping reforms, expanding partnerships and a more assertive Saudi presence in international commerce.

Decision making role

Over the past 20 years, Saudi Arabia has steadily grown its influence within the WTO, moving from a new entrant to an active participant in global rulemaking.

Riyadh continues to overhaul its commercial framework to stimulate economic activity.

Key changes include the Commercial Register Law, the Trade Names Law, amendments to the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law, and updated executive regulations governing private laboratories.

The new Commercial Register and Trade Names laws aim to streamline business operations and ease regulatory burdens by consolidating company documentation into a single nationwide register and tightening procedures for reserving and protecting trade names.

Both laws align with Saudi Arabia’s accelerating economic and digital transformation under Vision 2030.

The Commercial Register Law, which comprises 29 articles, improves the ease of doing business by regulating registration procedures, ensuring data accuracy, mandating regular updates and making information readily accessible to investors and regulators.

Commercial register

The revamped system introduces a centralized electronic database that records traders’ names and key information, and sets out clearly defined responsibilities and procedures for registration.

It simplifies commercial activity by abolishing branch level records for firms and establishments. Instead, each entity will operate under one unified commercial register covering all activities nationwide, a shift expected to reduce costs and administrative burdens.

The law grants companies and sole proprietorships a five year transition period to settle existing branch records. Options include transferring a sole proprietorship’s branch record to another party as a main record, converting a branch record into a standalone company, or canceling the branch record and moving its assets and activities to the main register.

The legislation also obliges businesses to open bank accounts directly linked to their commercial entities to bolster credibility and ensure the integrity of financial transactions.

It eliminates the requirement to renew commercial registers and removes expiry dates altogether. Instead, businesses must complete an annual electronic confirmation of their data. Registers are suspended after a three month delay and deleted automatically after one year of suspension.

The law also introduces alternative enforcement tools that emphasize compliance over punitive action, including formal warnings and compulsory correction of violations.

Business

Gold Climbs to Over One-month High after Fed Rate Cut; Silver Hits Fresh Record

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Silver jewelry is displayed in the Manhattan Jewelry district on December 9, 2025, in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Silver jewelry is displayed in the Manhattan Jewelry district on December 9, 2025, in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP
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Gold Climbs to Over One-month High after Fed Rate Cut; Silver Hits Fresh Record

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Silver jewelry is displayed in the Manhattan Jewelry district on December 9, 2025, in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Silver jewelry is displayed in the Manhattan Jewelry district on December 9, 2025, in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

Gold rose on Thursday to hit its highest level in more than a month after the US Federal Reserve's quarter-point rate cut pushed the dollar lower, while silver surged to a fresh record high.

Spot gold was up 1.2% at $4,275.39 per ounce, as of 11:49 a.m. ET (16:49 GMT), reaching its highest level since October 21. US gold futures for February delivery gained 1.9% to $4,303.90 per ounce.

Spot silver added 3.2% to $63.77 per ounce, hovering near the session’s record high of $63.93, Reuters reported.

"Silver seems to be pulling gold up with it and it's also pulling up platinum and palladium...there's a lot of momentum behind it right now," said Marex analyst Edward Meir.

The US dollar slipped to over seven-week low against a basket of rival currencies, making greenback-priced gold more affordable for overseas buyers.

"Inflation hasn't really come back down to the Fed's 2% target, so, when you're lowering rates in an inflationary environment that is still not optimum, and that's very bullish for gold," Meir added.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday delivered its third consecutive quarter-point cut, while policymakers also signaled a likely pause in further reductions as they monitor labor market trends and inflation that "remains somewhat elevated.”

Lower interest rates tend to be favorable to gold, as it is a non-yielding asset.

US President Donald Trump has advocated for lower interest rates since the start of his second term in January, and his nominee for the next Federal Reserve chair is expected to maintain that stance. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett is currently viewed as the leading candidate for the position.

Investors now await the monthly US non-farm payrolls report, set to be released on December 16, for fresh cues on the Fed's policy path.

Meanwhile, India's pension regulator on Wednesday permitted investments in gold and silver ETFs for the country's pension funds.

Elsewhere, platinum gained 2.5% to $1,698.10, while palladium rose 1.3% to $1,494.88.