Last Tuesday, gold prices surged by over 1% to an over one-month high following low treasury yields, a weakening U.S. dollar, and trader speculations on a potential rate hike pause. Based on the recent U.S. economic readings combined with the slight dip in inflation rates, analysts are betting on a nearing end to the rate-hiking cycle, which only means good news for the gold market.
Spot gold increased by 1.1% to $1,975.49 per ounce, while gold futures spiked by a whopping 1.2% to $1,980.80 per ounce. Spot gold has finally reached the same high point it hit during late May.
At the same time, the dollar index plummeted to a more than one-year low, with treasury yields dropping for two straight days. As these assets fall, one appears more attractive to traders. Bullion looks like the affordable, secure choice to investors seeking an alternative currency that isn’t failing at astronomical rates.
“Gold can certainly move towards $2,000 if incoming data suggests the Fed will back off after one more hike this month,” Jim Wyckoff, a senior market analyst at Kitco, explained.
Additional news supporting an unnecessary rate hike this month was the U.S. consumer spending release, revealing figures far better than expectations. To start, U.S. retail sales increased by less than market expectations, though consumer spending stayed solid.
The Consumer Price Index came in at 3%, a significant drop below general presumptions. For reference, May’s Consumer Price Index was much higher, ringing in at 4%. The core gauge figure for the report also surprised many analysts, coming in at 4.8% compared to the market estimate of 5%.
All of this data, combined with the improved inflation figures, gave an excellent boost to gold prices as traders hopped on the idea of another rate pause this month just like in June. During June, committee members chose to pause rates to continue monitoring economic conditions, though based on the results, they may choose to do so again. The real question will be whether July’s meeting will be a rate hike, temporary pause, or hint toward the long-awaited end of the rate-hiking cycle.
Despite the positive economic figures coming in, many traders still expect a 25-point rate hike this month, though it may be one of the last we see. Expectations for rate hikes around September are dropping, meaning we may finally be nearing the end of the cycle. July’s meeting will not only reveal critical insights regarding the Fed’s opinions on our current economic state but should also provide hints on upcoming policy expectations regarding future hikes.
The meeting will occur on July 25 and 26. Until then, traders can continue monitoring how gold prices respond to market sentiment regarding the upcoming meeting. If the Federal Reserve pauses rate hikes again or even mentions a nearing end to the cycle, we can likely expect exciting gains in the gold market, though only time can tell.
“Gold has now reached a key technical area around $1,980-$1,985, where it had previously found support and resistance. The bulls will need to see gold clear this level on a closing basis if they want to see $2,000 plus again,” Fawad Razaqzada, a market analyst at City Index, explained in a note.
The final end to the rate-hiking cycle is exactly what gold needs to breach the $2,000-per-ounce line yet again, as it did in early March.
Gold isn’t the only precious metal on the rise, though.
Spot silver increased by 0.6% to $25.01 per ounce, a critical line in the silver market. At the same time, platinum rose by 0.8% to $982.94 per ounce, and palladium increased by an impressive 2.5% to $1,315.91 per ounce.
As gold reaches its six-week high, all eyes remain on the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, though it’s important to remember the other critical demand sectors influencing pricing, such as central bank buying, which remains impressively high as we progress through the year. Turkey, for example, just switched from its three-month selling spree to buying yet again, adding to the list of nations stockpiling their reserves. Outside of the U.S., gold remains a critical asset that many nations continue relying on as the U.S. dollar loses value.
Between consistent central bank demand and less hawkish Federal Reserve actions regarding interest rate hikes, many analysts are positioning gold prices to increase throughout the remainder of 2023. As always, investors should consult their financial advisors before making any portfolio decisions.
