Iran's Oldest Tire Factory Shuts Down

Michelin Formula One tires are prepared for racing in the pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, June 29, 2006. REUTERS/John Gress/File Photo
Michelin Formula One tires are prepared for racing in the pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, June 29, 2006. REUTERS/John Gress/File Photo
TT

Iran's Oldest Tire Factory Shuts Down

Michelin Formula One tires are prepared for racing in the pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, June 29, 2006. REUTERS/John Gress/File Photo
Michelin Formula One tires are prepared for racing in the pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, June 29, 2006. REUTERS/John Gress/File Photo

Iran's oldest tire factory has shut down due to "financial problems", state news agency IRNA reported Wednesday.

Kian Tire was once the "largest producer of off-road tires in Iran" but closed its doors several days ago due to "financial problems and difficulties in the supply of raw materials", AFP quoted IRNA as saying.

Founded in 1958 as a joint American-Iranian enterprise according to its website, the company was known for making tires for "military vehicles and large trucks", IRNA said.

But due to outstanding bank debts, Kian Tire was expropriated and had been run by the state for the past few years, the agency added.

Iran's economy has suffered under stringent sanctions that were reimposed by the United States after it unilaterally pulled out of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers in 2018.

Kian Tire workers had gathered Sunday to urge the state to save the factory, local media said.

More than 1,200 employees are now out of work, according to IRNA.



Gold on Track for Weekly Gain on Trump Uncertainty; US Jobs Report Awaited

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
TT

Gold on Track for Weekly Gain on Trump Uncertainty; US Jobs Report Awaited

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk

Gold prices inched higher on Friday as uncertainty around US President-elect Donald Trump's policies firmed demand for bullion, while investors awaited a key jobs report to assess the Federal Reserve's rate cut trajectory.
Spot gold edged 0.2% higher to $2,675.49 per ounce as of 0725 GMT. Bullion has gained more than 1% so far this week, set for its highest weekly jump since mid-November. US gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,698.30.
The US non-farm payrolls report is due at 1330 GMT. According to a Reuters survey, payrolls are expected to have increased by 160,000 in December, following a jump of 227,000 in November.
"We expect gold to drop a little in case the non-farm payroll report comes on a higher side," said Jigar Trivedi, senior analyst at Reliance Securities.
"Gold found support after a weaker-than-expected private employment report for December reinforced the notion that the Fed may need to adopt a less cautious approach to rate cuts," Trivedi said.
Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid on Thursday signaled a reluctance to cut rates again as the Fed faces a resilient economy and inflation that remains above its 2% target.
Trump's proposed tariffs and immigration policies may also prolong the fight against inflation.
Traders now expect the first Fed rate cut this year in either May or June, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Gold acts as a hedge against inflation, but higher interest rates reduce the appeal of holding the bullion.
Spot silver was up 0.3% to $30.2 per ounce and the COMEX contract was trading at $31.17, both near one-month peaks.
"Our view is that the incoming US administration will tailor economic and trade policy to promote national prosperity, and that silver will recover along with gold in the second half (of 2025) to $35 per ounce," Deutsche Bank said in a note.
Platinum shed 0.4% to $955.97 and palladium added 0.9% to $934.16. All three metals were also set for weekly gains.