Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Market / Stock-market-news/  Global gold prices steady ahead of US consumer data
BackBack

Global gold prices steady ahead of US consumer data

Gold prices hold steady as investors await October consumer inflation data from the US due later in the day for potential hints on the US Fed's monetary tightening policy

Spot gold was nearly unchanged at $1,280.94 per ounce at 12.28pm. Photo: ReutersPremium
Spot gold was nearly unchanged at $1,280.94 per ounce at 12.28pm. Photo: Reuters

Gold prices held steady on Wednesday as investors awaited October consumer inflation data from the US due later in the day for potential hints on the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening policy.

Spot gold was nearly unchanged at $1,280.94 per ounce at 12.28pm. On Tuesday, gold rates touched $1,270.56, its lowest since 6 November, before recovering to close 0.2% higher. US gold futures for December delivery slipped 0.1% to $1,281.10.

“Gold is still stuck in a tight range as traders are waiting for additional signals before taking any view," ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes said. “This (US consumer inflation data) is one of the most important data, which could dictate sentiment leading into the next Fed meeting. Obviously, a rise in inflation is what the market is looking for ... but for now, it is taking a cautious approach," Hynes added.

The Federal Reserve should keep its benchmark interest rate at current levels until there is an upswing in inflation, St. Louis Fed president James Bullard said on Tuesday.

One of the newest Fed policymakers, Raphael Bostic, said he still backs a December interest-rate hike and that he would need to see further weakness in US inflation and local signs of economic weakness to cause him to shelve expectations for gradual policy tightening.

Higher interest rates tend to boost the dollar and push bond yields up, putting pressure on gold prices by increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

“We expect the Fed to hike (interest rate) by 25 bps in December 2017 and given the unusually weak physical market, gold prices are likely to be subject to downside risk in the near term," Standard Chartered said in a note. “The two key near-term drivers for gold remain the US tax bill and the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting."

US Senate Republicans on Tuesday linked repealing a key component of Obamacare to their ambitious tax-cut plan, raising new political risks and uncertainties for the tax measure that financial markets have been monitoring closely for months.

Spot gold looks neutral in a range of $1,270-$1,286 per ounce, and an escape could suggest a direction, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of six major rivals, held steady at 93.810.

In other precious metals, silver gained 0.1% to $17.02 per ounce, while platinum was up 0.2% at $927.70. Palladium, which touched a two-week low of $974.97 an ounce in the previous session, edged 0.1% lower at $984.75 an ounce. Reuters

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 15 Nov 2017, 01:49 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App