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Gold Hits Near 3-Month High Amid Trump Policy Uncertainty And Dollar Weakness

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 23, 2025

Gold prices climbed to their highest level in almost three months on Wednesday, driven by rising uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies and a weakened dollar, making the precious metal a more attractive safe-haven investment.

The spot price of gold increased by 1.4%, reaching $2,761 per ounce by 4 p.m. It earlier touched its highest point in 12 weeks, approaching its record high of $2,790.15 set in October. U.S. gold futures also saw a modest rise of 0.3%, settling at $2,766.80.

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In contrast, silver experienced a slight dip, falling 0.24% to $30.71, though it remained near the one-month high reached on January 16. Meanwhile, the dollar index slipped to its lowest point in more than three weeks. A weaker dollar enhances gold’s appeal for investors holding other currencies, increasing its demand.

Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, commented, “Gold and silver prices have both benefited from the heightened uncertainty created by Trump’s statements, including tariffs. Investors are also weighing the inflationary effects of these policies and their potential impact on monetary decisions. Over the coming weeks, the precious metals market will be influenced by the constant flow of news from Washington,” he told Reuters.

Trump has threatened tariffs on European Union imports and indicated plans for a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, citing concerns over fentanyl trafficking from China to the U.S. through Mexico and Canada.

However, gold’s appeal as an inflation hedge could diminish if Trump’s policies, which many analysts expect to be inflationary, lead the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates elevated for a longer period. Since gold doesn’t generate income, higher interest rates make other investments more attractive.

A slight majority of economists polled by Reuters expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady during its meeting on January 29.

ANZ analysts noted that central bank purchases are providing a strong demand base for gold, and they expect investment demand to rise, potentially offsetting losses in physical demand.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.