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GCA Forums News: Weekend Edition From December 8 Through December 14 2025
Here is your current news summary for Great Community Authority News (GCA FORUMS NEWS). It features live-style updates on major sectors for December 8-14, 2025. The summary covers the economy, interest rates and mortgages, precious metals, housing, the Federal Reserve, the political realm, and other relevant updates for GCA Forums members and Gustan Cho Associates’ clients.
LIVE INTEREST & MORTGAGE RATES: Mortgage rates this week:
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around 6.28% to 6.314%, depending on the region.
Rates increased slightly this week, which contradicted expectations regarding the Fed’s reaction.
15 year fixed ~ 5.59%, refinance rates ~ 6.83%.
Mortgage rates are higher than the historical average. Many home buyers are cautious. Rates should remain above 6% Fahrenheit for 2026.
In the housing market, buyers are moving to so-called “refuge markets”—areas like Grand Rapids, St. Louis, and Cleveland, which offer more affordable housing and greater inventory.
LIVE DOW JONES & STOCK MARKET NEWS: This week’s market update
- Record achievements continued mid-week, with major stock market indexes and the S&P 500 closing the week at all-time highs.
- Last week, the Dow fell as the week began, as large industrials and consumer stocks saw selling pressure.
- Futures heading into the week also exhibited a downward trend, driven by selling pressure.
- Some sector weakness appeared in the tech sector, with companies like Broadcom and Oracle.
- However, some stocks, such as Tesla and Eli Lilly, showed sector strength.
Individual Movers
Carvana (CVNA) experienced volatility but ended the week on a positive note, with optimism surrounding its potential inclusion in the S&P 500.
Fed Rate Cuts
Weaker job reports fueled speculation of possible Fed Rate Cuts, which proved bullish for the stock market.
Market Dynamics
- Precious metals are also impacted as the market expects a Fed Rate Cut.
- Both markets are experiencing broader macro uncertainty.
- Investors focus more on the safety of the investment.
- Discernible assets are attractive to investors, but this attractiveness diminishes if they lose value.
Gold
Gold held steady at approximately $4,300 per ounce by the end of the week, with demand for safe havens supporting stable pricing.
- Gold rose 2% over the week.
Silver
One of the biggest and most notable assets of 2025 is silver.
It surged past $60/oz and hit an all-time high of about $64.64.
Supply is low and industrial demand is high.
Intense speculation has led some markets to believe that silver has, at times, surpassed Microsoft’s market cap.
Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson (through October 29): The whole thing began as a training exercise that the East Coast U.S. military command (EUCOM) conducts.
It then became a genuine command and operational mission, whose complexity and difficulty had never been seen before.
- Le Monde has the closest estimates of the number of illegal crossings.
- Since September 24, we have video footage of 708 crossings, and the number has continued to grow since then.
- Arthur Ashkin of the U.S. has done extensive work, including one notable case, a notable success, and a series of successful implementations.
- Le Monde is well aware of border crossings, and the destruction of U.S. military equipment is a common tactic of insurrections.
LIVE FEDERAL AND NATIONAL POLITICAL NEWS: Letitia James & James Comey Cases
- Explanation: Recently, James Comey, Former FBI director, and Letitia James, New York Attorney General, have been federally prosecuted and indicted.
- They are awaiting trial in 2026. However, as of this week, there is no confirmed source in the public domain that refutes this.
The Supreme Court And Federal Power
- The United States Supreme Court has given the green light to change the scope of law, granting the United States President the power to appoint members to a board of independent agencies.
Federal Policy Issues
- The Senate has failed to pass legislation that would reduce health care costs.
- This has a direct effect on the ACA tax credits and the greater insurance market.
Other National Highlights
- Texas has launched a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve initiative.
- Florida has designated a Muslim civil rights group as a foreign terrorist organization, a move challenged by activists and civil rights groups.
SANCTUARY CITY AND IMMIGRATION NEWS
- Federal and state courts are once more active in shaping the immigration enforcement arena: A judge has upheld New York’s charter that limits civil immigration arrests at state courts, thereby sustaining state sovereignty protections claimed by NY AG Letitia James’ office.
SUMMARY TAKEAWAYS FOR GCA FORUMS MEMBERSMARKETS:
Stocks: Mixed and positive. Major indexes reached record highs by mid-week, adding to the positive momentum in the sector.
Precious metals: Silver prices are at an all-time high, while gold prices are expected to increase due to the Fed remaining dovish.
Rates: Mortgage rates, currently around 6.3%, are on the higher side, contributing to increased housing unaffordability. However, there are improvements in the housing market, particularly in terms of housing inventory.
Economy: The Fed is in a rate-cutting cycle, but signs of divergence are emerging; consumer sentiment is down.
Politics: Significant judicial and administrative power developments; Letitia James/James Comey remains under no clearly justified acquittal.
Real Estate: More buyers are moving to affordable markets; NAR data indicate older buyer profiles.
Immigration: Judicial decisions regarding sanctuary cities continue to offer the same state protections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXakP5ZaO5k&list=RDNSIXakP5ZaO5k&start_radio=1
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This discussion was modified 1 month ago by
Sapna Sharma.
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2 Replies
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Silver prices per ounce is skyrocketing. I think it past $64.00 per ounce. What is the cost per ounce of silver for 2026? Seems like its on an aggressive upward move in surpassing $100.00 per ounce
Gold has surpassed $4,300 per ounce.
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Gold and silver prices have been closely monitored, and both metals are experiencing strong gains. Here are the latest prices and a look at what could happen next.
Current Silver Price
Recently, silver sold for about $63.54 per ounce, which is close to your estimate of $64.00. After hitting a record high of $54.47 in October 2020, silver has risen about 120% this year, breaking all previous records.
Current Gold Price
Gold is now priced between $4,292.00 and $4,345.00, just under $4,300. This is a 62% increase from the same time last year.
The outlook for silver in 2026 remains unclear, as prices are fluctuating significantly due to shifts in factory demand, government monetary policy, and investor sentiment. Some experts estimate prices could range from $70 to $200, but these are only estimates. The increasing demand for silver from solar panels, electric cars, and data centers is driving up prices, while lower supply and its new designation as a critical US mineral are also contributing to the upward trend. Gold and silver have both performed well due to the Federal Reserve’s lower interest rates and investors’ desire to seek safe investments in uncertain times. However, buying these metals still carries risk.
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