[MARKET ANALYSIS] XAU gain on safe-haven demand; Copper raises following strength in the semiconductor sector

Newsquawk Staff · 5 Jan 2026, 10:00 UTC

Metals have started the first full week of 2026 on the front foot, with spot gold, silver and 3M LME Copper up 2.4%, 4.6% and 2.4% respectively following safe haven demand and a semiconductor-led rally during Asia-Pac trade.
Spot XAU gapped higher, opening at USD 4357/oz, and continued to trend higher to an APAC session high of USD 4420/oz. Currently, XAU is trading at session highs of USD 4432/oz, with demand for safe havens rising, following the Venezuela strike, but also potential further rate cuts by the Fed and continued concerns over US fiscal debt.
3M LME Copper gapped above the range formed in the past 2 trading sessions, opening at USD 12.68k/t and driving to a high of USD 12.88k/t as the APAC session got underway. The red metal consolidated before briefly extending to a new session high of USD 12.91k/t. However, price pulled back but 3M LME Copper remains above USD 12.8k/t and just shy of ATHs at USD 12.97k/t.

What our latest note said

US Market Open, 6 Nov, 10:48 UTC · what it led with

APAC stocks were pressured; KOSPI slumped 6% following hefty losses in Samsung and SK Hynix.
USD is firmer against all G10 peers awaiting the US NFP report.

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