Muscat: Market analysts said trading activity may stay subdued next week due to a light economic calendar, with attention firmly on the meeting minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), scheduled for release on Tuesday. Alongside this, November’s pending home sales data is among the few major indicators lined up, both of which are expected to provide cues on the future direction of monetary policy and, in turn, bullion prices.

Looking ahead, gold and silver are projected to sustain their upward momentum into 2026, supported by expectations of global interest rate cuts, their continued appeal as safe-haven assets, and strong industrial demand. However, analysts cautioned that traders may adopt a more measured approach, as the pace of gains could moderate following an exceptional performance in 2025.

Internationally, gold prices rose by USD 165.4, or 3.77 per cent, during the past week. Prices touched an all-time high of USD 4,584 per ounce on the Comex, closing the holiday-shortened week with strong gains as investor interest remained buoyant amid global uncertainties.