Gold reached a 3-month high amid Middle East tension, while the Fed Chair voiced concerns over high inflation. Gains continue for a 2nd week.
Gold prices hit a three-month peak on Friday and were set for a second straight weekly gain due to the Middle East conflict though the Fed Chair said inflation is ‘still too high.’
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that the conflict with Hamas will not be a short-term engagement. The US and the UK has voiced resolute support for Israel’s operation.
Powell in his speech did not indicate he leaned towards more rate hikes. Futures market traders erased any possibility of a rate hike in November and decreased the chances of a move even in December.
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, indicating that strong job growth persisted in October.
The benchmark 10-year Treasury yields crossed 5% for the first time since July 2007. A New York Fed calculation shows that the term premium is around its highest level since May 2021.
Chinese investors offloaded the most US bonds and stocks in four years in August. A Bloomberg index of Treasuries is heading for a sixth straight month of losses.
Gold has formed a golden cross pattern on the daily chart – a bullish sign for uptrend to continue. It now trades around the significant $1980 level. A reclaim of $2000 still seems unlikely given high rates.
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US job growth in July slowed more than expected, raising fears of a broader economic slowdown and causing risky assets to tumble throughout the month.
2024-09-06Oil prices rose slightly on Friday, as investors balanced a large US crude inventory draw and OPEC+ production delays with mixed US employment data.
2024-09-06Bullion steadied Thursday below $2500 after a market sell-off. It is expected to remain near this level until the NFP report is released.
2024-09-05