Gold prices edge higher on prospect of steeper US rate cuts
Sept 16 (Reuters) -Gold prices inch higher on Monday, supported by a weaker dollar and on the prospect of a more aggressive rate reduction by the U.S. Federal Reserve at its upcoming policy meeting.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was up 0.2% at $2,580.81 per ounce, as of 0020 GMT. Bullion rose to a record high of $2,585.99 on Friday.
* U.S. gold futures GCcv1 edged 0.1% lower to $2,608.60.
* The dollar .DXY weakened 0.1%, making gold less expensive for other currency holders. USD/
* All eyes will be on the Federal Reserve this week as speculation mounts over the extent of interest rate cuts and the pace of future reductions at its monetary policy meeting.
* Markets are currently pricing in an 52% probability of a 50-bp easing at the conclusion of a two-day meeting on Wednesday, up from 43% on Friday, while there are a 48% chance of a 25-bps cut, according to the CME FedWatch tool showed.
* Lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding a zero-yield bullion.
* Data on Friday showed that U.S. consumer sentiment rose to 69.0 in September from 67.9 in August, reflecting improved sentiment amid easing inflation, though caution remains ahead of the November election.
* Gold market bulls are locking in bullion prices surging to records high, with a milestone of $3,000 per ounce coming into focus, fired up by monetary easing by major central banks and a tight U.S. presidential election race.
* SPDR Gold Trust GLD, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell 0.03% to 870.51 tons on Friday. GOL/ETF
* Spot silver XAG= gained 0.8% to $30.89 per ounce, platinum XPT= fell 0.2% to $993.40 and palladium XPD= shed 0.3% to $1,065.78.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0200 China Urban Investment (YTD) YY Aug
0200 China Retail Sales YY Aug
0200 China Unemp Rate Urban Area Aug
0900 EU Total Trade Balance SA July
1000 EU Reserve Assets Total Aug
UK House Price Rightmove MM Sept
UK House Price Rightmove YY Sept
Reporting by Daksh Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
