With the U.S. dollar retreating toward one-week lows, gold gained solid ground this week, firming prices above critical $1,900-per-ounce lines. The week’s Jackson Hole Symposium sits at the forefront of everyone’s minds as traders await the updated word from the Federal Reserve regarding future interest rate hikes. The meeting’s anticipation caused the U.S. dollar to slip from its recent gains, allowing gold to achieve much-needed momentum ahead of September’s FOMC gathering.
Both spot gold and gold futures rose by 0.3% earlier this week. Gold futures closed Monday at $1,924 per ounce. After last week’s back-to-back losses, Monday’s 0.3% gain displays an optimistic future for gold.
“Potential buyers have been waiting to see how far gold could fall, and this could be the beginnings of their re-entering the market in force,” Clifford Bennett, the chief economist at ACY Securities, explained.
As gold prices dip, many investors see an opportunity to buy in while costs are low. The bargain-hunting gives gold support during periods of record-high interest rates.
“And at the same time, just the initial hints that perhaps the U.S. dollar rally may be done for the moment,” Bennett continued.
The dollar index recently hit a ten-week peak on Tuesday when compared to its currency rivals. As usual, the U.S. dollar could not hold this level of success for long. As always, a peak means a fall will occur.
Following the peak rates, the U.S. dollar began retreating by 0.3%, hitting a near one-week low.
At the same time, U.S. bond yields fell from the near 16-year high. The commodity managed to achieve a level that hadn’t been reached since 2007.
High interest rates increase bond yields, so this spike makes sense. With the odds of a rate pause in September sitting above 90%, bond yields have already fallen from their peak.
When yields and the U.S. dollar are high, bullion may look less attractive to investors. Now that both assets are retreating, gold is gaining its footing again. The next thing traders are looking toward is this weekend’s Symposium.
From August 24 to 26, key central bankers will gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to discuss interest rate outlooks plus numerous topics covering the U.S. and global economy.
“This year’s theme will explore several significant and potentially long-lasting developments affecting the global economy. While the immediate disruption of the pandemic is fading, there likely will be long-lasting aftereffects on how economies are structured, both domestically and globally, as trade networks shift and global financial flows react. Similarly, the policy response to the pandemic and its aftermath could have persistent effects as economies adjust to rapid shifts in the stance of monetary policy and a substantial increase in sovereign debt,” Kansas City Fed’s Jackson Hole Symposium annual forum explains.
Most notably, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will attend the meeting and likely shed light on what investors can expect from September’s FOMC meeting. Policymakers from the European Central Bank will be in attendance as well.
Any hints of dovish strategies from the Fed will likely give rise to gold, as low-interest rates will reduce the opportunity costs of investing in gold. Given the recent CPI data showing cooling inflation rates and the odds given by CME’s FedWatch Tool, most are expecting to hear a less hawkish stance from the Federal Reserve when compared to July’s meeting. On the other hand, July’s meeting minutes revealed how firmly the committee feels about returning inflation to 2%, so predicting how the Symposium will go may be impossible.
In other news, gold isn’t the only precious metal climbing the charts right now. Silver also edged up by 0.3% to $23.40 per ounce, breaking the $23-per-ounce line yet again. Platinum increased by 0.9% to $917.29 per ounce, and palladium rose by 0.9% to $1,256.61 per ounce.
How this weekend’s meeting and the September Fed gathering play out will likely create significant ripples in gold’s short-term performance. Moving forward, traders can keep their eyes on the upcoming Jackson Hole Symposium for further insights on what may occur during the September FOMC meeting. Statements regarding economic goals may display the Fed’s stance on the next interest rate decision.
While interest rates may be causing volatility in the gold market at the moment, numerous analysts expect gold prices to achieve excellent stability and gains by mid-2024. Gold typically works best when held long-term, so any temporary dips shouldn’t create concerns. As always, investors should consult their financial advisors before making any portfolio decisions.
