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Category: 3. Business

  • City Council distributes free toys and games to local families – Milton Keynes Council

    1. City Council distributes free toys and games to local families  Milton Keynes Council
    2. Pallets of Hope campaign delivers £40,000 worth of food and gifts to local families facing hardship  allthingsbusiness.co.uk
    3. Milton Keynes community group spreads Christmas cheer with ‘Hope Hampers’  Milton Keynes Citizen
    4. Milton Keynes charity appeals for donations for Christmas hampers  MKFM
    5. Business-led charity partnership delivers £40,000 of food and essentials across Milton Keynes  Business MK

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  • Board approves Grade 10 to 12 hybrid learning pilot expansion as families report positive outcomes

    Board approves Grade 10 to 12 hybrid learning pilot expansion as families report positive outcomes

    Surrey Schools will offer more hybrid courses for Grade 10 to 12 students next school year, following board approval to expand the district’s hybrid learning pilot. More than 3,200 students are currently enrolled in hybrid courses, with recent student surveys highlighting benefits with flexibility, learning environment, pacing and independence. (Image via iStock)

    Secondary schools across Surrey and White Rock will see more hybrid learning course offerings for Grade 10 to 12 students next school year, following board approval of an expansion to the district’s ongoing hybrid learning pilot.

    At the December public board meeting, the Surrey Board of Education approved a motion to expand Surrey Schools’ hybrid learning pilot from 1% of senior secondary courses to up to 3% for the 2026-27 school year. With the exception of career education, hybrid learning will remain optional for students, allowing flexibility in course schedules while continuing to prepare students for mixed online and in-class learning models in post-secondary education and remote workplaces.

    “As we look to next steps, we suggest that we continue to diversify the opportunities for students to access hybrid offerings in different course structures,” said Assistant Supt. Perry Smith in a progress update on the hybrid learning pilot. “That we continue to provide teachers with professional learning opportunities to deepen their work in digital software as well as work with blended learning strategy, and we explore digital tools and resources to enhance learning experiences both for teachers and for students.”

    Last December, the board directed staff to trial select, optional hybrid learning courses for Grade 10 to 12 students in the 2025-26 school year, offering one to three hybrid courses at the district’s 21 secondary schools. The district currently has 3,207 students enrolled in 38 blocks of hybrid courses, encompassing career education, business education, information technology, science, social studies, modern languages, visual arts, performing arts, and physical and health education.

    Following the pilot’s launch this past September, district staff gathered student, teacher and parent feedback through various surveys and an in-person student forum, asking them to share the benefits and challenges of hybrid learning, as well as suggestions to improve the hybrid experience for future semesters. According to student survey data, the most common benefits of hybrid learning included:

    • flexibility (mentioned by 61% of students);
    • learning environment (60%);
    • pacing of schoolwork (55%); and
    • independence (54%).

    “Students commented on an improved sense of well-being, they felt it was more of a balance where they could do work around their own schedules,” said Kristi Blakeway, Director of Instruction with the Building Professional Capacity department. “Some students shared with us that they struggle with anxiety, and hybrid learning offers an alternative to a stimulating classroom environment.

    “When we asked teachers what benefits they were seeing, they talked about the real-world skill building in students. They also mentioned the flexibility in working one-to-one with students on hybrid days and the sense of independence that they saw developing in their students.”

    In terms of challenges, some students noted the ability to work on hybrid assignments on their own time sometimes led to procrastination, distraction from competing interests or difficulties staying motivated. They also noted it was hard to receive feedback from teachers if they worked on assignments outside of school hours.

    Likewise, some teachers reported challenges with student engagement in a new delivery model and with students balancing online and classroom responsibilities, as well as learning curves with teaching and learning through technology. Their responses mentioned they would appreciate additional technical training and support, along with consistent scheduling with hybrid blocks to collaborate with other teachers.

    “The parents matched the answers of our students and teachers,” said Blakeway. “The benefits they saw were the flexibility in scheduling, the convenience of working from home, the extra amount of balance between life and schoolwork, the building of workforce skills and a reduction in anxiety.”

    For future considerations, students expressed a want for clear expectations of when to be in class or online, a preference for hybrid courses at the start or end of the day and a desire for additional check-in times with teachers.

    Smith said the district will continue to measure the effectiveness of hybrid learning through work with outside agencies such as post-secondary institutions and monitor the achievements of students in hybrid classes. He also said the district will continue to invite feedback from students, parents and teachers, with district staff to present another progress report to the board in December 2026.

    “We appreciate the way this has been approached very, very carefully and cautiously, and so far, it appears to be fairly successful,” said Trustee Bob Holmes. “It’s important for the public to know this is purely students’ choice if they want to do this. It is something we hope may help with our capacity issues but it’s also an opportunity for some students and we really want to approach it cautiously, and as years go on, we’ll be just as cautious with any further growth of it. I think this is a good step.”

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  • Minister Olszewski to announce support for local business to adapt to new trade realities and grow

    December 18, 2025 – Leduc, Alberta

    The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), will announce federal funding to enable an Alberta business to grow.

    Minister Olszewski will be joined by Jesse Klimack, President of Core Design Ltd. Speakers will be available for questions from the media following remarks.

        Date:
        Friday, December 19, 2025

        Time:
        9:00 a.m. MT

        Location:
        Core Design Ltd.
        3908 71 Ave
        Leduc, Alberta
        (Map)

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  • Provincial Government Adopts Traditional Approach to Highway Twinning Project

    Provincial Government Adopts Traditional Approach to Highway Twinning Project

    To support a stronger economy and ensure infrastructure projects serve the best interests of residents, the Provincial Government will use a traditional procurement approach for twinning two sections of the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH).

    Last August, a request for proposals (RFP) was issued for a public-private partnership (P3) model covering design, construction, financing, and maintenance. That RFP has now been cancelled. Instead, qualified companies will be invited to bid on separate contracts that will be awarded progressively, similar to other projects under the annual provincial Roads Plan. This approach will create more opportunities for local contractors to compete for this significant road work.

    By using more traditional construction methods, government will fund the work as construction progresses.

    The $306 million highway twinning project is a 50-50 cost-shared initiative with the Government of Canada under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The TCH is part of the National Highway System, a federal designation for a strategic network of highways and freeways.

    The project includes:

    • Central Region: 15 kilometres between Bishop’s Falls and Grand Falls-Windsor
    • Avalon Peninsula: Approximately 40 kilometres from Whitbourne heading west

    Twinning these sections will increase traffic capacity, improve safety by separating opposing lanes, and strengthen year-round transportation links. It will also enhance reliability, support rural communities and improve climate resilience.

    Planning for the various phases of the project will begin in the new year, with construction anticipated to start in 2026. The new government is committed to investing in key infrastructure priorities, including health care, education, municipal projects and roads.

    Quotes
    “By taking the traditional procurement approach and dividing the work into multiple contracts, there will be more opportunities for local contractors. Our government is committed to responsible investment and long-term planning that prioritizes people today while securing the province’s future.”
    Honourable Barry Petten
    Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

    “We are pleased with the government’s decision to remove the P3 model from the upcoming highway twinning project and look forward to seeing more decisions like this moving forward. NAPE has previously raised concerns regarding the P3 model approach, and we see this as a positive step in the right direction by this government.”
    Jerry Earle
    President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees

    -30-

    2025 12 18
    1:25 pm

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  • Improving Community Governance arrangements in West Suffolk

    18 Dec 2025

    West Suffolk Council is conducting an interim review of town and parish councils to ensure that the arrangements reflect communities and work effectively for residents.

    The review provides town and parish councils and other stakeholders, with an opportunity to request changes to their community governance arrangements to help ensure that they provide for cohesive communities, improve community engagement and better serve local democracy. This will result in improved effective and convenient delivery of local services.

    The council is inviting town and parish councils, and other stakeholders with an interest in community governance, to put forward any anomalies or opportunities that is to be addressed in the review process. They can then be considered for inclusion in the draft recommendations that will then go for public consultation.

    The review will look at the following aspects of community governance for existing town and parish councils:

    • the names and styles of any existing town and parish councils
    • the number of councillors to be elected to any existing town and parish councils
    • the warding arrangements of any existing town and parish councils; the name of wards and the number of councillors to be elected for any such ward
    • grouping arrangements or mergers.

    Due to local government reorganisation and the work to develop interim warding arrangements for the unitary local government, the review will not consider any requests involving changes to external boundaries between town and parish councils. Proposed amendments to town and parish ward boundaries will not be considered where the change could require a consequential change to a West Suffolk district ward or Suffolk county division.

    Cllr Diane Hind, Portfolio Holder for Governance for West Suffolk Council, said: “The aim is to provide local governance that is effective, accessible and convenient for residents. While the process may sound quite technical, it plays a vital role in making sure voting areas make sense and that local democracy is easy to understand and engage with. This helps ensure that residents can have their say on issues that matter to them and their community.

    “It is important that everyone living in the areas included in the review is aware that it is taking place, as it could have an impact on where you live. The outcome is intended to support the delivery of local services, with residents at the heart of decisions about whether these changes should take place.”

    Communities have an opportunity to put forward any anomalies or opportunities to be considered between now and February 2026, with the council then considering draft recommendations for consultation in March 2026.

    After the council has the draft recommendations, then a wider consultation will take place between April and June 2026 to ensure that any person or group who has an interest or would be affected by the issue, has an opportunity to submit their views.

    For more information, visit: Community Governance Review West Suffolk Council 2025-2026

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  • Instacart to Pay $60 Million in Consumer Refunds to Settle FTC Lawsuit Over Allegations it Engaged in Deceptive Tactics

    Instacart to Pay $60 Million in Consumer Refunds to Settle FTC Lawsuit Over Allegations it Engaged in Deceptive Tactics

    Today, the Federal Trade Commission announced that grocery delivery provider Instacart will pay $60 million in refunds to consumers to settle allegations that the company engaged in numerous unlawful tactics that harmed shoppers and raised the cost of grocery shopping for Americans. Instacart will be required to cease its deceptive practices under a proposed FTC order, and consumers who were charged for Instacart+ without their express informed consent will receive refunds as a result of the settlement.

    “Instacart misled consumers by advertising free delivery services—and then charging consumers to have groceries delivered—and failing to disclose to consumers that signed up for a free trial that they would be automatically enrolled into its subscription program,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC is focused on monitoring online delivery services to ensure that competitors are transparently competing on price and delivery terms.”

    The FTC has alleged that Instacart engaged in a variety of deceptive tactics that misled consumers and caused them to pay more in fees, while depriving consumers of refunds. Specifically, the FTC alleges that Instacart:

    • Falsely advertised “free delivery” to consumers on their first order
      • Instacart’s claims of “free delivery” are false because consumers still must pay a mandatory “service fee” to get their groceries delivered.
      • These mandatory service fees add as much as 15% to the order cost and were not clearly disclosed to consumers.
    • Falsely advertised a “100% satisfaction guarantee,” implying that it will provide full refunds when consumers are not fully satisfied
      • Consumers who experience late deliveries or unprofessional service typically are not offered full refunds and instead are given only a small credit that can be used toward a future order.
      • Instacart hid the refund option from the “self-service” menu that consumers use to report problems with their orders, leading many consumers to erroneously believe they could receive only a credit toward a future order rather than a refund.
    • Failed to clearly disclose terms relating to Instacart+ membership enrollment
      • Instacart’s free-trial enrollment process for Instacart+ did not adequately disclose that consumers would be charged for memberships at the end of their trials, nor did it disclose Instacart’s restrictive refund policy.
      • As a result, Instacart has charged many consumers for paid memberships without their express informed consent. Hundreds of thousands of consumers have been charged membership fees without receiving benefits from the membership or getting refunds.

    Under the terms of the FTC’s proposed settlement order, Instacart will be prohibited from making misrepresentations concerning the costs of delivery services and satisfaction guarantees. Instacart must also clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms and obtain express informed consent for transactions involving subscription models where consumers are automatically charged unless they actively opt out.

    The Commission vote approving the stipulated final order was 2-0. The FTC filed the proposed order in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

    NOTE: Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

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  • Renault Group welcomes the upgrade to an investment grade ‘BBB-‘ credit rating by S&P Global Ratings

    Renault Group welcomes the upgrade to an investment grade ‘BBB-‘ credit rating by S&P Global Ratings

    Boulogne-Billancourt, France, December 18, 2025 – Renault Group welcomes today the decision of the rating agency S&P Global Ratings to upgrade Renault SA’s long-term credit rating to ‘BBB-‘ with a stable outlook from ‘BB+’. This step up to an investment grade credit rating reflects the success of Renault Group’s refreshed product line-up, its multi-energy strategy (EV, ICE & hybrid) and its ongoing international expansion, notably through partnerships. This rating highlights the resilience of the Group’s business model and its strong liquidity profile.

    “We welcome S&P Global Ratings’ upgrade, which recognizes Renault Group’s significant progress in improving its profitability, strengthening its cash flow and reinforcing its strong liquidity profile. This step up is a fair recognition of the successful transformation of Renault Group conducted by our teams over the past years. We remain fully committed to continue to grow profitably, while maintaining a constant focus on value creation for our employees, our shareholders and our partners, altogether with a disciplined financial policy” said François Provost, CEO Renault Group.

    The press release by S&P Global Ratings can be accessed via their homepage: www.spglobal.com/ratings.

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  • Government of Canada supports the growth of three York region companies

    FedDev Ontario investment of over $3.1 million will help local companies to scale operations, adopt advanced technologies, and strengthen local supply chains

    December 18, 2025 – Vaughan, Ontario

    York Region is a vital driver of the local economy, serving as Ontario’s third-largest business hub with over 56,000 businesses, fostering innovation through its diverse entrepreneurial community. By supporting the growth of homegrown companies, the Government of Canada is helping regions, like York, stay competitive and build Canada strong.

    Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), alongside the Honourable Ali Ehsassi, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy (Canada-U.S. Trade) and Member of Parliament for Willowdale, announced over $3.1 million to support the growth and resiliency of three York Region companies: Sky Acoustics Inc., Letar Inc. and Petra Hygienic Systems International Ltd. (Petra) as they scale operations and boost competitiveness through the adoption of advanced technologies.

    Vaughan-based Sky Acoustics Inc. is receiving up to $1 million to accelerate growth through the adoption of new automated equipment and more sustainable production practices. Through this project, the company will bring more production activity to the region, which will improve its responsiveness to domestic and international clients.

    Concord-based aerospace precision machining and assembly company Letar Inc. is receiving $1.5 million to expand its capacity for complex aerospace and defence components through the adoption of advanced machining equipment. This will enhance the company’s competitiveness, enabling it to meet growing demand from OEM customers and drive more efficient use of materials through modernized manufacturing processes.

    Concord-based Petra is receiving $625,000 to implement its fully automated production system, powered by its AI-driven engine. The project will establish flexible, high-speed autonomous production lines for its personal care and cosmetic products. With this investment, the company will expand Petra’s production capabilities, create jobs, strengthen regional supply chains, and accelerate the commercialization of innovative Canadian-made manufacturing.

    The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting local innovators and businesses as they expand, adopt new technologies, and create good jobs in communities across southern Ontario.

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  • DFW International Airport | Official Website

    DFW urges customers to arrive early, plan for traffic and take advantage of the airport’sdigital tools

    DFW AIRPORT, Texas (Dec. 18, 2025)

    Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is preparing for a busy winter holiday travel period, with nearly 5 million customers expected to fly to, from and through the airport between Dec. 18 and Jan. 6. Due to the influx of holiday travelers and ongoing construction, customers should plan for busy traffic across the airport’s roadways and terminal curbs throughout the travel period. Overall passenger traffic during the holiday travel period is projected to increase about 3.2% compared with last year.

    DFW recommends that travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights to allow ample time to reach their gate.

    Ensuring enough time will assist customers that encounter traffic, construction impacts, congested parking areas, and busy check-in and security screening areas.

    Prepare for the Airport’s Busiest Travel Days

    Large travel crowds are expected throughout the entire winter holiday period, with the heaviest timeframes for local departing and arriving customers occurring on the weekends and in early evenings.

    The airport’s roads and terminal curbs are expected to be the busiest during the following periods:

    • Friday, Dec. 19 through Monday, Dec. 22
    • Friday, Dec. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 28

    DFW expects its busiest travel days at the start and near the end of the season, with more than 265K passengers expected both on Friday, Dec. 19 and on Sunday, Dec. 28. While daily volumes are expected to be more evenly distributed than the Thanksgiving travel period, terminal curbsides are still projected to be near those levels on several days – especially during the weekends between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

    Navigating Terminal C and the Airport’s Most Congested Areas

    Customers departing or arriving on any day of the holiday season should prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic across the airport’s roadways – especially when approaching terminals from the north – and along all terminal curbs.

    Heavy traffic is also expected at Terminal C due to ongoing construction in that area. To assist with traffic flow, the airport has reconfigured traffic flow patterns through the terminal to alleviate congested areas and provide a smoother flow of traffic. Directional signage will be installed to guide traffic through the area.

    Customers flying American Airlines have the flexibility to check in at any terminal, avoiding congestion at Terminal C with a quick Skylink connection to their gate once through security. DFW encourages American customers consider another terminal based on live traffic conditions. Quickest access into Terminals A and B is from the north, while access into Terminals C, D and E is quickest from the south.

    Customers can also prebook parking through the DFW website or mobile app to avoid decision-making upon arrival to the airport. For the fastest entry and exit at parking plazas, travelers should use dedicated TollTag lanes, which allow vehicles to pass through while TollTags are scanned automatically.

    Skip Airport Traffic with Public Transit

    Public transit remains a convenient way to bypass holiday traffic and roadway construction at the airport, offering direct access to DFW’s terminals:

    • DART Silver Line: New service launched in October, linking Plano to Terminal B with stops in Richardson, Addison, Carrollton and Coppell – providing a faster northern route that avoids downtown Dallas.
    • DART Orange Line: Connects Plano, downtown Dallas and Irving directly to Terminal A.
    • Trinity Metro TEXRail: Runs from downtown Fort Worth through North Richland Hills and Grapevine to Terminal B.
    • TRE + TRE Link Shuttle: Connects Dallas and Fort Worth to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, with easy transfers to terminals.

    Transit is also a great option for travelers arriving at DFW. Customers can take transit to a station away from the airport and coordinate a pickup, which also helps reduce curbside congestion during peak periods.

    Follow Curbside and Parking Protocols

    To help keep traffic flowing, curbside areas are reserved for active loading and unloading only. Customers waiting to pick up passengers are encouraged to use cell phone lots and one-hour parking inside terminal garages (available at no additional charge).

    Use DFW’s Digital Tools for Real-Time Decision Making

    The DFW Airport mobile app, available for iOS and Android, helps travelers plan ahead and stay informed with real-time features such as:

    Customers can explore additional holiday travel tips to help make their journey easier.

    New Right-hand Access into Terminal A to Open Early for Holiday Travel

    DFW is preparing to reach the next significant milestone of the International Parkway Project with the opening of the first phase of the new right-hand access into Terminal A on Friday, Dec. 19, which is earlier than originally planned. Through collaborative planning and customers in mind, the airport and project partners have worked together to accelerate the early opening, which will remove various detours currently in effect and improve access into Terminal A for customers traveling during the holidays.

    The new northbound access into Terminal A will be opened in its final condition; however, the southbound access will open in a temporary but near-complete condition. The southbound access will be finished in January following the peak travel period.

    About Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
    Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the most connected and busiest airports in the world. Centered between owner cities Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major economic engine and job generator for the North Texas region. The airport’s historic $12 billion capital plan – DFW Forward – is set to transform the customer experience and plan for the future with monumental upgrades and expansions underway across DFW’s terminals, airfield and roadway infrastructure.

    For more information, visit the DFW website or download the DFW Airport mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Follow @dfwairport on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.


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  • Gold surges after downside US CPI surprise, eyes $4,381 peak

    Gold surges after downside US CPI surprise, eyes $4,381 peak

    Gold (XAU/USD) rebounds on Thursday, trimming earlier losses after US inflation data surprised to the downside. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades around $4,368, pushing decisively above this week’s consolidation range.

    Data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% YoY in November, below market expectations of 3.1% and easing from 3.0% in September. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, also slowed to 2.6% YoY from 3.0%, missing forecasts of 3.0%.

    The softer inflation readings strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) could move toward further monetary policy easing into 2026. Lower interest rates generally favour non-yielding assets such as Gold.

    Elsewhere, escalating tensions between the United States (US) and Venezuela support safe-haven flows, keeping the precious metal anchored just below record highs.

    Market movers: US CPI and Fed leadership in focus

    • Traders see scope for two rate cuts next year, with US rate futures pricing around 62 basis points of easing in 2026 following the softer CPI data. The Fed is still widely expected to keep rates unchanged at its January meeting, with the CME FedWatch Tool showing only a 28.8% probability of a rate cut.
    • US labour market data sent mixed signals. Initial Jobless Claims fell to 224K, slightly below expectations of 225K and down from the previous 237K. Continuing Jobless Claims rose to 1.897M, below expectations of 1.94M but higher than the previous 1.83M, while the four-week average edged up slightly to 217.5K from 217K.
    • A softer US Dollar (USD) is also lending support to the Bullion. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against a basket of six major currencies, is trading around 98.27, easing after briefly climbing to an intraday high near 98.56.
    • Markets are closely monitoring developments around the Fed’s leadership, as US President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for lower interest rates continue to raise questions around the Fed’s independence. Trump said on Wednesday, “I’ll soon announce our next chairman of the Federal Reserve, someone who believes in lower interest rates, by a lot.”
    • President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal last week that he was leaning toward either White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett or former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve. The WSJ also reported on Tuesday that Fed Governor Christopher Waller is set to be interviewed for the role.
    • Governor Christopher Waller said on Wednesday that policymakers are in no rush to ease policy aggressively, noting that the Fed can proceed cautiously as inflation remains above target. He added that interest rates could be lowered gradually toward a neutral setting, which he estimates to be around 50-100 basis points below current levels.

    Technical analysis: XAU/USD eyes record highs

    From a technical perspective, Gold (XAU/USD) has broken above the $4,350 resistance zone with bullish momentum now targeting the all-time high around $4,381.

    On the daily timeframe, the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) rises above the 100-day SMA, with both slopes advancing and price holding above them, preserving a bullish bias. The 50-day SMA currently stands at $4,142, offering nearby dynamic support. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 74.64 is overbought and signals strong momentum that could precede a brief corrective pause.

    Trend strength builds as the Average Directional Index (ADX) ticks up to 26.49, reinforcing a directional market. A shallow pullback could be absorbed near dynamic support, while a break would expose the 100-day SMA at $3,860.49 as the next trend floor. A sustained hold above the 50-day average would keep the upside path open for bulls.

    (The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool)

    Gold FAQs

    Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.

    Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.

    Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.

    The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.

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