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Metals: Decline at Year-End, Historic Gains in 2025

Published December 31, 2025, 10:21
Metals: Decline at Year-End, Historic Gains in 2025

Precious metals are closing the year with losses in the final session, but 2025 was a year of historic gains for them. Gold rose by over 60% on an annual basis, the best performance since 1979, due to inflationary concerns, monetary policy easing and geopolitical uncertainty. Silver outperformed gold, with gains of over 140%, benefiting from its inclusion on the US list of critical minerals and increased demand. Platinum followed with a 110% increase, while palladium recorded a 66% increase, the best performance in the last 15 years. The decline on the last day affected prices, with gold falling to $4,286.89 per ounce and silver falling by over 7% to $71.02 per ounce. However, the overall picture for 2025 remains very positive for precious metals. The rise of gold is linked to expectations of further interest rate cuts in the US, geopolitical tensions and increased demand from central banks and investment funds (ETFs). The increased demand for silver is due to its recognition as a critical mineral for technology and the green transition. Analysts expect volatility in metal prices to continue in 2026, as macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions remain uncertain. Demand for safe havens, such as gold, is expected to remain strong, while the growing industrial use of silver could lead to further price increases.