Top Stories This Week: Gold Price Reacts to Inflation Data, Trump Makes Big Permitting Promise

US inflation data was in focus this week as the Federal Reserve's next meeting approaches. Meanwhile, Trump talked permitting and Agnico Eagle made a C$204 million offer for O3 Mining.

The gold price rose early on this week, breaking US$2,700 per ounce on Wednesday (December 11).

The metal was reacting to the latest US consumer price index (CPI) data, which shows a 2.7 percent year-on-year increase for the month of November. That's up slightly from the 2.6 percent annual gain seen in October.

CPI was up 0.3 percent month-on-month, again higher than October's 0.2 percent rise. Core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, was up 3.3 percent year-on-year and 0.3 percent from the previous month.

The US Federal Reserve meets next week from December 17 to18, and was already widely expected to cut rates by 25 basis points, bringing the 2024 total to 100 basis points. This week's CPI data has further cemented those expectations.

Thursday (December 12) brought the release of producer price index (PPI) numbers out of the US, with the year-on-year increase for November coming in at 3 percent — above October's 2.4 percent and higher than projections. PPI was up 0.4 percent from the previous month, also higher than the 0.2 percent rise reported in October.

Core PPI was up 3.4 percent year-on-year and 0.2 percent from the previous month. Analysts believe the PPI data points to stickiness in inflation and indicates the US Federal Reserve's 2 percent target is further away than it looks.

"The Federal Reserve can feel largely pleased with the progress made on lowering high levels of inflation over the last couple years," Yahoo Finance quotes Rick Rieder, BlackRock global CIO of fixed income, as saying. "But the bulk of this progress is behind us now and inflation may remain stubbornly sticky near current levels for a time."

Gold finished the week about flat from where it began at US$2,646.63.

Bullet briefing — Trump talks permitting, Agnico to buy O3

Trump to fast track permitting

Incoming President Donald Trump caught the attention of resource sector investors this week with his promise of "fully expedited approvals and permits" for people or companies that invest at least US$1 billion in the US.

Trump announced the news on his social media platform Truth Social, but so far has provided little in the way of specifics. Even so, mining industry participants have taken the news as a positive sign that builds on his nominations of Chris Wright and Doug Burgum, who respectively will run the departments of energy and the interior.

Speaking recently to the Investing News Network, Chris Temple of the National Investor emphasized the importance of Burgum's appointment. Here's how he explained it:

"Not only is Burgum going to run the interior department, he is going to be a 'super czar,' if you will, who will oversee energy, and the (Environmental Protection Agency), and the interior department and the agencies — all of those who have got anything to do ... with permitting, with environmental issues, with all of these different things — not just for energy, but for metals, for mining and all of that.

Last but most important is that Burgum will be on the president's National Security Council ... So Burgum is going to have a much, much, much larger role in all of this than has been reported."

Agnico offers C$204 million for O3 Mining

M&A activity was in the air in the gold space once again this week as Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM) announced plans to acquire O3 Mining (TSXV:OIII,OTCQX:OIIIF) in a friendly takeover deal.

The all-cash offer of C$1.67 per share represents a 58 percent premium to O3's closing share price on Wednesday and values the company at C$204 million. Agnico said in a press release that it expects O3's Marban Alliance project to complement its Canadian Malartic complex, a major gold operation located in Québec, Canada.

"The all-cash offer at a significant premium to market is an excellent outcome for our shareholders and is validation of the efforts made by the O3 Mining team" — José Vizquerra, O3 Mining

The deal was structured as a tender offer due to an ongoing Canada Post strike, meaning it doesn't require a shareholder vote at O3. Shares of O3 climbed substantially after the news and were up about 60 percent for the week.

Want more YouTube content? Check out our expert market commentary playlist, which features interviews with key figures in the resource space. If there's someone you'd like to see us interview, please send an email to cmcleod@investingnews.com.

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Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

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Charlotte McLeod

Charlotte McLeod

Editorial Director

With an eye for detail and over a decade of experience covering the mining and metals sector, Charlotte is passionate about bringing investors accurate and insightful information that can help them make informed decisions.

She leads the Investing News Network's video and event coverage, and guides a team of writers reporting on niche investment markets.

With an eye for detail and over a decade of experience covering the mining and metals sector, Charlotte is passionate about bringing investors accurate and insightful information that can help them make informed decisions.

She leads the Investing News Network's video and event coverage, and guides a team of writers reporting on niche investment markets.

Learn about our editorial policies.