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(Reuters) – Gold prices fell on Thursday on a strong dollar and a rebound of stocks following a multi-day sell-off globally, taking steam out of bullion’s momentum.
Prices had risen to $1,239.22 earlier, near a more than three-month high of $1,239.68 hit on Tuesday as the stock market sell-off spurred interest in gold, considered a safer investment.
U.S. gold futures GCcv1 settled up $1.3, or 0.11 percent, at $1,232.40
“With equities being higher today, gold is unable to sustain a rally,” said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures, adding that investors looking for safety are opting for Treasuries instead. [US/]
“Normally you would see gold trading significantly higher with this volatility, concerns in equity markets and global economic slowdown. But the fact that the U.S. Federal Reserve is hawkish, gold is having a hard time sustaining any rallies.”
The government said earlier that the number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits fell to more than a 45-year low, a sign to tight labour market conditions. That will likely keep the U.S. central bank on course to raise interest rates again in December. [nUSNPLEEMN]
Prospects of higher U.S. interest rates are negative for dollar-priced gold as they raise the opportunity cost of holding the bullion.
“The options expiry on Thursday is also dampening volatility in gold as between $1,225 and $1,230. There were about 1.5 million ounces of options that were open, allowing people to play around the range,” said Tai Wong, head of precious and base metals trading at BMO.
via Gold prices dip on strong dollar, equities rebound | Reuters
By Apeksha Nair
BENGALURU, July 13 (Reuters) - Gold prices were muted on
Friday, stuck in a tight trading range, as the dollar extended
rally from the previous session when strong U.S. inflation data
and trade war concerns boosted demand for the greenback.
Spot gold was down 0.1 percent at $1,245.54 an ounce,
as of 0652 GMT. For the week, the metal was down 0.7 percent.
U.S. gold futures for August delivery slipped 0.1
percent to $1,245.50 an ounce.
"The dollar has been a prime mover of gold prices...Market
sentiments have been largely positive on the greenback as
investors pivoted from the safe haven asset despite rising
geopolitical risks," said Benjamin Lu, a commodities analyst at
Singapore-based broker Phillip Futures, in a note.
The dollar was buoyant near a 10-day peak versus a basket of
currencies on Friday, supported by Treasury yields that edged
higher on expectations the U.S. inflation rate will rise.
U.S. consumer price data on Thursday showed a steady buildup
of inflation that could keep the Federal Reserve on a path of
gradual interest rate increases.
A stronger dollar and higher U.S. rates reduce demand for
non-interest bearing gold as the metal becomes more expensive
for holders of other currencies.
Elsewhere, the European Central Bank will keep rates at a
record low for as long as needed to raise inflation, minutes of
the bank's latest meeting showed.
Meanwhile, Most Asian share markets rose on Friday, but
China's markets wobbled as investors braced for the impact of
broadening, tit-for-tat Chinese-U.S tariffs.
The United States and China could reopen talks on trade but
only if Beijing is willing to make significant changes, U.S.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday.
"The trade war issue is still creating a lot of uncertainty.
If the situation continues and we're not seeing any real
movements in gold prices because of it, we might see prices
actually move lower," said Cameron Alexander, an analyst with
Thomson Reuters-owned metals consultancy GFMS.
* Dollar near 6-1/2 month peak
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