Summary: The price of gold faces challenges as it reaches a one-week low, influenced by a robust U.S. dollar and rising bond yields. Amidst ongoing economic data releases and the European Central Bank’s decisions, investors are carefully navigating uncertainties. Despite a modest uptick in spot gold, concerns about potential interest rate cuts and geopolitical tensions add complexity to the market landscape.
Three Key Points:
- Dollar Strength and Bond Yields: A stronger U.S. dollar, nearing a six-week high, and elevated U.S. 10-year Treasury bond yields at 4.1980% are pressuring gold prices. This dynamic reduces the attractiveness of gold for holders of other currencies, impacting its value.
- Market Sentiment and Federal Reserve Expectations: Despite positive economic indicators, concerns persist, and the market is evaluating the potential for policy easing and the risk of a recession. The likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut in March stands at 43%, but expectations have shifted to May with an 88% probability, contributing to uncertainty.
- Geopolitical Tensions and Caution: Geopolitical risks, particularly in the Middle East, could act as a tailwind for gold’s safe-haven status. However, caution prevails among traders awaiting cues from the Federal Reserve’s timeline for interest rate cuts. The mixed fundamental backdrop advises prudent decision-making, especially ahead of the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index release on Friday.
The price of gold has experienced fluctuations, reaching a one-week low due to the strength of the dollar, with a particular focus on American data and the European Central Bank (ECB). On Thursday, the gold price remained close to its weekly low, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar and higher bond yields following robust economic activity data. Investors are eagerly anticipating the U.S. GDP figures and the European Central Bank’s general policy meeting later in the day.
At 0424 GMT, spot gold increased by 0.2% to $2,015.83 per ounce. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures remained unchanged at $2,015.80.
The bullion hit its lowest point in nearly a week on Wednesday, as data suggested a strong start for the U.S. economy in 2024, with business activity picking up in January and inflation appearing to decrease.
“Despite prevailing concerns, the U.S. economy continues to defy negativity, allowing markets to contemplate policy easing and the risk of a recession,”
Kyle Rodda, a financial market analyst at Capital.com.
The dollar index rose by 0.1%, nearing its six-week high, making gold less appealing for holders of other currencies. Simultaneously, yields on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds were close to their highest level in over a month, at 4.1980%, reached last week. Kyle Rodda noted that with the possibility of interest rate cuts in March in the money markets, strong data in the coming weeks and a probable pullback by the Federal Reserve at the end of its January meeting could leave gold vulnerable to further declines.
Currently, markets assess a 43% likelihood of a Fed rate cut in March. However, these expectations have been largely shifted to May, with an 88% probability of policy easing, according to the LSEG IRPR interest rate probability app.
The decrease in interest rates diminishes the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
Despite the efforts to preserve its modest gains, the gold price struggles to rise and hovers near the weekly low set on Wednesday. The prospect of a delayed Fed rate cut supports elevated bond yields, capping potential gains.
Geopolitical risks and a weakened USD could, however, help limit the downside before the release of the U.S. Q4 GDP figures. Traders seem cautious, awaiting cues from the Federal Reserve’s timeline for interest rate cuts, influencing the non-yielding yellow metal. Moreover, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East might act as a supportive factor for the safe-haven gold price. Yet, the reduced expectations for aggressive policy easing by the Fed and an early interest rate cut continue to support elevated U.S. Treasury bond yields, imposing a ceiling on the precious metal’s potential.
Given this mixed fundamental backdrop, prudent caution is advised before making bold directional bets, especially with the upcoming release of the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index on Friday.
Investors are now eagerly anticipating the first reading of the U.S. fourth-quarter GDP at 1330 GMT, the ECB’s policy decision at 1515 GMT, and personal consumption expenditure data on Friday.