LONDON, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Gold and silver prices dived Friday, European stock markets ended the week up while Wall Street fell slightly with investors reassured by US President Donald Trump's pick to take over as head of the Federal Reserve. Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB trading group, said the "interesting pick... may give the market some hope that Fed independence will be preserved". - A rollercoaster week -Precious metals prices tumbled on Friday after surging in recent days when investors sought a safe haven over doubts about Trump's policies. "The building tensions between Iran and the US have driven Brent crude prices to a six-month high," said Megan Fisher, assistant economist at Capital Economics. "That said, we think that the historical example of last year's 12-day war (between Iran and Israel with US involvement), and a well-supplied oil market, will still bear down on Brent crude prices by end-2026."

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 31, 2026 03:43 UTC