Brussels explosion and Gold's Safe haven appeal: RSBL

                                                              By Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL

As I was about to publish this blog, Brussels was rocked by multiple explosions that left many dead and wounded. My heartfelt condolences to their families in these challenging times of despair! 

Gold is known for its safe haven appeal and the same has been proven once again. A quick rise of nearly US$20 proved that traders and investors would flock behind Gold to protect themselves from unknown strikes and calamities. 

Hourly price rise of Gold_220316 - RSBL SPOT terminal

Moreover since the Global downturn, the precious metal has risen by nearly 13-month high.

I did mention in my last blog that I do expect some corrections before the next up move and we all witnessed the same before the FED meeting. The FED meeting on Wednesday did conclude that the global risks pose a threat to the US economic recovery.

The U.S. central bank held interest rates steady on Wednesday and indicated it would tighten policy this year, but fresh projections offered by the Fed showed policymakers expect two quarter-point increases by year-end, half the number forecast in December. Expectations that the Fed would raise rates steadily this year had faded since the bank's initial hike in December, as concerns about global growth roiled financial markets.

It decided to scale back the number of planned rate rises this year to two from four, which initially spurred the precious metal to a one-week high while bond yields and the dollar fell and equities made up some lost ground.

Spot gold was down 0.31 percent at $1,253.99 an ounce during Fridays trading hours though the yellow metal closed on a positive side and was up around 0.4 percent on the week. Gold edged down on Friday, as the dollar steadied above a five-month low, but the metal remained on track for a weekly gain after the Federal Reserve scaled down rate hike expectations.

Inflation is a very important economic number that the FED is watching closely. Until it is below their target of 2%, there won’t be much room for FED with the rate hike policy. Unemployment, according to FED is back on track. 

Commitment of Traders report that was realized on Friday, showed Gold and Silver ETFs have seen continued interest and strong buying has been the trend. Gold holdings increased by 915’000 ounces in just two days, while Silver added 3 Mio. ounces as per the report.

With the Easter holiday around the corner, buying interest would mute from here on until further developments on the Brussels’ incidence. 

A support of $1230 and a resistance of $1270 do play strong price levels for Gold’s next move while Silver price levels would be supported by $15.20 and a key resistance of $16.70.

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The primary purpose of this article by Mr. Prithviraj Kothari is to educate the masses of the current happenings in the Bullion world.

 - Previous blog -
"Renewed confidence in Gold and Silver: RSBL"
http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2016/03/renewed-confidence-in-gold-and-silver.html

Photo courtesy: Google search

Renewed confidence in Gold and Silver: RSBL

                                                               By Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL

 

Gold prices rallied this week but gave up all gains established post ECB. Still the closing was in a positive trend.

The precious metals remain upbeat with average gains of 0.4 percent with gold prices last at $1,275.10, having set a fresh high at 1,282.90, the highest since February last year.

Gold Price rise

The Yellow metal hit a 13-month high in the wake of the European Central Bank (ECB) decision to lower deposit rates and sink another 80 billion euros per month into the economic region. President Mario Draghi said the new efforts will run until March 2017, but stated that he did not anticipate any further rate cuts.

In data, US weekly unemployment claims between February 27 and March 5 came in at 259,000, under the forecast of 272,000 and below the psychological 300,000 mark. This strong US employment report had driven optimism that the US economy and also the world economy may not be that weak as feared following which expectations on the demand viewpoint have been adjusted aloft.

The focus now shifts to Tuesday’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting 15- 16 March for fresh stance on the interest rates in the US, which is world’s largest economy. The meeting will be followed by a summary of economic projections from individual Fed members, as well as a press conference by Chair Janet Yellen. The policy-board has faced severe instability, but recent employment figures show the American economy is still recovering at a healthy pace.

On the domestic front, gold prices are expected to rise further followed by a weakening dollar. The other precious metals also seem to be facing resistance at these levels, although they also do seem to be attracting more investor interest now, which suggests dips will be supported. 

Key economic data watch out for in the coming week:

·         Tuesday - Retail sales, producer prices and the New York Fed Empire State manufacturing survey

·         Wednesday - consumer price index, housing starts and industrial production

·         Thursday - Jobless claims and the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey

There are several central banks meeting this week i.e. Bank of Japan, Bank of England and Swiss National bank whose rate related decisions could bring up some volatility in the markets.

Simultaneously, traders will be keeping an eye on is the conclusion of National People’s Congress in China and will be watching for any statements about fiscal stimulus or monetary easing.

My Sentiment for gold prices is positive and if it crosses $1280 an ounce then gold is expected to reach the next technical resistance levels of $1310 an ounce. As it failed to cross $1280 convincingly, I do feel that there could be a short term pull back in prices but Gold’s price of $1300 won’t be a surprise. Silver too has shown a good support around $15.50. In rupee terms, I feel Gold prices would be in the range of INR 28,000 to INR 31,000 while Silver would be in the range of INR 36,000 to INR 41,500.

Silver Price rise

Thank You!

You may follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prithviraj.kothari
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The primary purpose of this article by Mr. Prithviraj Kothari is to educate the masses of the current happenings in the Bullion world.

- Previous blog -
"Post-Budget 2016: Views of RSBL - Mr. Prithviraj Kothari"
http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2016/03/post-budget-2016-views-of-rsbl-mr.html

Photo courtesy: Google search

MARKETS REMAIN CALM AS WE ENTER 2016: RSBL

 By Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL

Firstly wishing you all a very happy new year. 

 

To begin with, United States, Europe, Japan and many other countries remained shut on account of New Year's Day and  hence markets were calm and serene market with volatility to its minimum.

Whatever fluctuation came in was mainly due to two reasons:

In the international market it was the data released from the US and in the domestic market it was the weakening rupee against the dollar.

Gold prices were also supported as weaker than expected economic data from United State likely to spurt safe haven demand for the yellow metal . Data released from the US was as follows-

• On Thursday, government data showed that the number ofmAmericans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, a potential signal the job market was losing steam
•  Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 20,000 to a Seasonally adjusted 287,000 for the week ended Dec 26.
• US Chicago Purchasing Managers Index in December month fell to 42.9 compared to analysts' expectation of 49.8 and 48.7 a month ago, government data showed on Thursday.
• SPDR Gold Trust holdings dropped by 0.18% i.e. 1.19 tons to 642.37 tons on Thursday compared to 643.56 tons in previous trading day.
• After the SPDR Gold Trust reported outflows on Thursday, the harp gain in yellow metals was subdued as this outflow created a weak investment sentiment for gold on the market.

Gold prices fluctuated on Friday after the Indian rupee weakened against the dollar and on Exchange Trade Funds (ETFs) outflow, indicating subdued investment demand. Prices of the bullion were supported after the Indian rupee weakened against the dollar, denting prospects of higher imports. At 1:40PM dollar/rupee traded at Rs 66.21/$1 compared to previous close of Rs 66.15/$1.

Gold prices were also supported as weaker than expected economic data from United State likely to spurt safe haven demand for the yellow metals.

Prices of the precious metal were also supported by thin trading volumes as financial markets in United States, Europe, Japan and many other countries are shut on account of New Year's Day.

In short, Gold prices were supported by weak local currency while subdued investment demand capped the gain.


Now as we welcome 2016 with a bang we hope it has lots in store for the global economies and for the yellow metal precisely.

The primary purpose of this blog by Prithviraj Kothari - MD, RSBL, is to educate the masses of the current happenings in the Bullion world.

- Previous blog -

"Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, (MD, RSBL), makes gold price prediction for the year 2016

http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2016/01/mr-prithviraj-kothari-md-rsbl-makes.html 

GOLD FAILS TO ATTRACT SAFE HAVEN BUYING: RSBL

 By Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL

The week began with a lot of geo political uncertainty and these rising tensions were expected to ignite gold prices.

But geopolitical tensions  took more of a backseat, with the minutes from the FOMC’s latest policy meeting set to be scrutinized later in the week for clues on the timing of a rate rises in the US.

The gold price had risen to a one-week high on Monday following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, which fuelled safe-haven demand.

On Friday, 13 November, a coordinated terrorist plot in Paris led to over 100 deaths and hundreds injured. The Islamic State boasted and claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, which follows recent attacks by the organization in Lebanon and a suspected bombing of a Russian airliner.

French President Francis Hollande responded by launching a massive airstrike on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria.

In tumultuous periods, gold harvests safe-haven appeal as investors seek physical assets like gold versus other investments like bonds or equities. 

However, Gold failed to attract safe-haven buying as a strong dollar offset geopolitical concerns. The dollar placed a cap on the market as it traded at a 7-month high.

Gold received only a small safe-haven lift from the terrorist attacks over the weekend in Paris and Beirut. It rose to $1,097 on Monday but those gains faded away as a strengthening dollar ended the rally. The dollar remained well-supported by broad expectations that the first US interest rate hike in nearly a decade could likely be initiated by the US Federal Reserve in December.

Gold prices dropped to a 5.5-year low on Tuesday, pressured in part by rallying U.S. and world stock markets early this week. 

U.S. economic data released Tuesday was a mixed bag thus leaving the markets confused.

• A heavy data day, US consumer price index month-over-month for October rose  0.2percent, in-line with expectations.
• The core CPI also increased 0.2 percent.
• The capacity utilization rate at 77.5 percent was as forecast.
• US industrial production over the same period dipped 0.2 percent, below the forecast 0.1 percent.
• The NAHB housing market index for November was 62, just missing the estimate of 64.
• The spot gold price was last at $1,081/1,081.30 per ounce, down $2.40 on Monday’s close.

While in the US, market players still expect the Federal Reserve to raise rates for the first time in nearly a decade at the mid-December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC); Fed chairwoman Janet Yellen has argued for an increase in the Federal Funds rate before the end of the year, citing worries of prolonged periods of cheap capital and its long-term effects on the economy.

On Wednesday, investors’ focus shifted to the minutes from the FOMC’s October policy meeting.

Spot gold was last at $1,075.1/1,075.4 per ounce, up $3.50 on the Wednesday closing level.

Seventy percent of market participants believed the Fed will raise rates next month, according to the CME Group Fed Watch.

The minutes released showed that most members of the Federal Open Market Committee at the October meeting said the conditions for a rate rise could be met by December. A minority, however, said the data may not support a hike and suggested the Fed may need to add monetary stimulus if the economy unexpectedly slows.

The release of the minutes from the October FOMC meeting suggested that  it “could well be” time to raise short-term interest rates at the December policy meeting and as a result the committee chose to alter the wording of their policy statement to ensure their options were open for a move next month.

Gold prices climbed on Thursday morning in London as the dollar fell back even though a majority of US Federal Reserve members believe a December rate hike is becoming more appropriate.

Gold prices climbed on Friday morning in London, boosted by short-covering and fresh buying despite the October FOMC minutes suggesting the Fed will lift interest rates from December. But later in the day gold prices declined.

With the US essentially closed for half the week for Thanksgiving, it’s a quieter week for news and gold may continue to consolidate. All the potentially market impacting fundamental news is packed into Tuesday and Wednesday morning. The key report is U.S. GDP which could potentially impact gold through the U.S. dollar as it could impact speculation on a FOMC rate hike next month.