Silver Rises 3% to $88 as Markets Shrug Off Risk

Daily News Nuggets | Today’s top stories for gold and silver investors
January 13^th, 2026

U.S. Inflation Holds Steady in December — Fed Poised to Stay Patient

The U.S. Consumer Price Index reported a 0.3% gain in December and a 2.7% increase year over year, matching both expectations and November’s pace. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, was also unchanged. Those readings suggest inflation remains persistent but not accelerating.

For markets, the data reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged at its next meeting. Investors see little urgency for further tightening, but also no clear path to rapid cuts. That “wait and see” stance shapes asset allocations.

When real yields pause and inflation stays elevated, real assets often gain appeal. Gold and other hard assets typically perform well in that middle ground where policy restraint meets persistent price pressure.

Intensifying Political Pressure on the Fed Stokes Market Debate

Tensions between the Trump administration and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell escalated this week when the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation related to Powell’s congressional testimony about Fed building renovations. The move drew immediate pushback from Powell, who called the probe political interference, and from several Republican senators and former Fed officials who warned it threatens the independence of the central bank.

Markets are watching closely. Perceived pressure on the Fed can shift expectations around inflation and interest rates. Even the hint of political influence can weaken confidence in monetary policy and raise uncertainty for investors.

When trust in institutions erodes, capital often flows toward assets outside the traditional financial system. Historically, gold has been a beneficiary in similar episodes as investors seek a reliable store of value.

Economist Sounds Alarm Over Fed Political Pressure

Several prominent economists warn that increasing political pressure on the Federal Reserve carries meaningful risks. They point to historical examples in which government interference undermined central bank credibility and preceded bouts of inflation and market instability.

The central argument is straightforward: an independent central bank anchors inflation expectations. Once that credibility weakens, restoring trust is difficult and costly. Markets may appear calm now, but such risks commonly build beneath the surface and then surface quickly in prices, currencies, and capital flows.

In such an environment, demand for inflation hedges typically rises. Precious metals often benefit when confidence in policy discipline weakens.

Gold Pauses After Record Run — Silver Roars Ahead

Gold eased after hitting fresh all-time highs above $4,600 an ounce, as some investors booked profits following weeks of policy-driven and geopolitical volatility. Spot prices pulled back modestly and futures were slightly softer, reflecting a common consolidation after a steep rally.

Silver continued to climb, rising more than 3% on the day and trading near $88 an ounce. Those levels are well beyond what many major banks expected for 2026, particularly so early in the year.

Short-term pullbacks often reflect positioning rather than a fundamental change. With uncertainty around policy credibility and global risks still elevated, demand for precious metals remains supported. While gold takes a breather, some investors are focusing on longer-term opportunities in the metals complex.

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Can Silver Hit Triple Digits?

Silver’s recent strength has reignited debate about how high the metal can climb in this cycle. Already near multi-year highs, some analysts and investors see a path toward $100 an ounce by 2026.

The bull case for silver rests on several factors: strong industrial demand from energy and electronics, limited supply growth, and gold’s rally, which often pulls silver higher with greater volatility. Silver’s dual nature — as both an industrial commodity and a monetary hedge — makes it particularly sensitive to shifts in growth expectations and risk sentiment.

Sustained gains in silver would signal rising uncertainty and changing risk perceptions across markets, reinforcing demand for metals that serve both industrial and store-of-value roles.