Gold futures on Friday closed lower, giving up earlier gains to feed a weekly loss as appetite returned for assets perceived as risky and bond yields climb.
Gold pared some of its earlier gains then turned lower after data on Friday revealed that the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index rebounded to 92 in September from 89.8 in August. U.S. business inventories also rose by 0.4 percent in July and U.S. retail sales rose 0.4 percent in August.
“Headline confidence is up, which seems to be the markets’ focus, and with trade war winds blowing in the right direction,” there’s more long liquidation in gold, Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader, told MarketWatch.
December gold on Comex lost $7.90, or 0.5 percent, to settle at $1,499.50 an ounce, with the commodity suffering at a weekly fall of 1.1 percent. Silver for December delivery dropped 60.8 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $17.569 an ounce—the lowest finish since August 23, according to FactSet data. Prices saw a weekly loss of 3%.
“The immediate focus of the gold market may now shift to the [Federal Open Market Committee] meeting next week and its impact on the U.S. dollar,” said Innes. The Fed meeting will be held on September 17-18.
“A Fed rate cut could help gold, but other factors including the Comex position overhang and the gradual rise in yields, are negative for bullion while a resilient stock market equally tarnishes golds glittering appeal,” he said in a recent market update.
Meanwhile, the dollar as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar Index, a gauge of the greenback against six rival currencies, was poised to record a 0.2 percent weekly loss. It was also trading 0.7 percent lower month to date. A weaker dollar can make dollar-pegged commodities more appealing to buyers using other currencies.
Rising government bond yields, which compete with gold for investors seeking safety, were undercutting demand for gold and other precious assets that don’t bear a coupon.
According to Dow Jones Market Data, the 2-year Treasury yield was on track to climb the most in a week since June 5, 2009, while the 10-year Treasury note was set for its sharpest weekly rise since November 10, 2016.
Geopolitical risks have also declined, weakening the bid for gold, as China moved to exempt U.S. agricultural products from tariffs after reports of a potential interim trade deal. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he was willing to consider an interim trade deal with China.
Also, the European Central Bank launched a batch of stimulus measures intended to bolster the eurozone economy, which is expected to influence policy actions by the Fed.
Against that backdrop, assets considered risky have rallied, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average headed for an eighth straight advance on Friday. That dynamic has taken away bidders from gold and bonds.
Among other metals on Comex, December copper added 5.9 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $2.6995 a pound, with prices notching a weekly rise of 2.5 percent. October platinum shed 40 cents, or 0.04 percent, to $952.20 an ounce, on track for a fall of 0.7 percent for the week.
December palladium eased back by $3.90, or 0.2 percent, to $1,600.90 an ounce after settling Thursday at a record $1,604.80. Prices for the most-active contract were up 3.6 percent for the week.
Source: MarketWatch
