What a Fed rate hike could mean for gold and silver prices

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September 14, 2026 / 1:07 PM EDT / CBS News

Gold and silver investors have had to contend with some sharp price moves so far in 2026. Gold, for example, surpassed $5,500 per ounce early this year, but has since retreated significantly from that record high, with the price of gold sitting closer to $4,275 per ounce as of mid-September. Silver, on the other hand, has also experienced sizable price swings as investors have responded to shifting expectations for inflation, interest rates and the economy.

And those price movements could become even more pronounced in the days ahead. The Federal Reserve meets September 15 and 16, and persistent inflation has increased the possibility of another rate hike. That prospect matters for precious metals investors because changes in interest rates can quickly alter where investors put their money and how much they're willing to pay for assets such as gold and silver.

Still, the outcome isn't as simple as higher rates automatically leading to lower precious metals prices. Gold and silver are being pulled by several competing forces right now, and…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/