Metal falls as investors await US inflation data that could have a bearing on the Federal Reserve’s next policy move
10 November 2021 - 08:57
byNakul Iyer
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A gold necklace and earrings displayed inside a Titan Co Tanishq jewellery store during the festival of Dhanteras in Mumbai, India, on November 2 2021. Picture: BLOOMBERG/DHIRAJ SINGH
Bengaluru — Gold prices eased on Wednesday as the dollar firmed, with investors looking forward to US inflation data that could have a bearing on the Federal Reserve’s next policy move.
Spot gold fell 0.4% to $1,824.90/oz by 5.35am GMT, after recording its highest since Sept. 3 in the previous session.
US gold futures eased 0.1% to $1,828.40.
Weighing on bullion by increasing its cost to buyers holding other currencies, the US dollar edged 0.1% up.
Focus now shifts to the US consumer price index (CPI) report due later in the day where a tight labour market and the dislocation in global supply chains could result in a high reading.
“Rate hikes might not be as quick as the markets were initially expecting and inflation continues to be high, creating a supportive macro backdrop for the precious metal to rally,” Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus said.
“An above-consensus CPI number could, however, lead to some profit-taking in gold because expectations will rise that the Fed will have to start raising rates to rein in inflation,” Barot said, adding that gold also faced resistance at $1,830.
Economists in a Reuters poll predict a 5.8% increase in CPI in the 12 months to October.
The report comes after Fed policymakers suggested an interest rate hike was not yet on the cards earlier this week, though two of the central bank’s most dovish officials said on Tuesday they expect to get more clarity on the economic outlook by next summer.
Gold tends to benefit from lower interest rates because they reduce the non-yielding metal’s opportunity cost.
Elsewhere, spot silver was flat at $24.28/oz, platinum slipped 0.7% to $1,052.00, while palladium rose 0.5% to $2,031.89.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Gold slips as focus turns to US CPI data
Metal falls as investors await US inflation data that could have a bearing on the Federal Reserve’s next policy move
Bengaluru — Gold prices eased on Wednesday as the dollar firmed, with investors looking forward to US inflation data that could have a bearing on the Federal Reserve’s next policy move.
Spot gold fell 0.4% to $1,824.90/oz by 5.35am GMT, after recording its highest since Sept. 3 in the previous session.
US gold futures eased 0.1% to $1,828.40.
Weighing on bullion by increasing its cost to buyers holding other currencies, the US dollar edged 0.1% up.
Focus now shifts to the US consumer price index (CPI) report due later in the day where a tight labour market and the dislocation in global supply chains could result in a high reading.
“Rate hikes might not be as quick as the markets were initially expecting and inflation continues to be high, creating a supportive macro backdrop for the precious metal to rally,” Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus said.
“An above-consensus CPI number could, however, lead to some profit-taking in gold because expectations will rise that the Fed will have to start raising rates to rein in inflation,” Barot said, adding that gold also faced resistance at $1,830.
Economists in a Reuters poll predict a 5.8% increase in CPI in the 12 months to October.
The report comes after Fed policymakers suggested an interest rate hike was not yet on the cards earlier this week, though two of the central bank’s most dovish officials said on Tuesday they expect to get more clarity on the economic outlook by next summer.
Gold tends to benefit from lower interest rates because they reduce the non-yielding metal’s opportunity cost.
Elsewhere, spot silver was flat at $24.28/oz, platinum slipped 0.7% to $1,052.00, while palladium rose 0.5% to $2,031.89.
Reuters
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Market data — November 9 2021
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