APPETITE FOR GOLD DECLINED

 -By Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL

In the past few weeks we have seen volatility in gold but then it has settled back on the lower trading range. With fall in gold holdings in the SDPR gold trust we have seen investors interest weakening in the yellow metal. Apart from the SDPR, the dollar has also played a crucial role in influencing gold prices and it will continue to do so in the coming months.

Although, US economy is on a mend, the actions taken by central banks (Euro-zone and Japan) to prop up its economies will likely result in to weakening of their respective currencies and strength in the dollar in turn prices heading lower.

Moreover, the decision coming in from the Swiss referendum not to boost its gold reserves, at the same time falling oil prices and diminishing investment actions are also signifying that the market has temporarily disowned gold and has been replaced by more interest generating assets in its class.

Earlier in the week economists admitted there was some downside risk to the employment forecast following Wednesday’s private sector payrolls data, compiled by payrolls processor ADP. The report was weaker than expected as corporations and businesses created 208,000 jobs last month. The unemployment rate for November was 5.8%, unchanged from October’s reading of 5.8%; economists were expecting an unchanged reading. The report also said that the labor force participation rate was unchanged at 62.8%. Last month we saw a very strong labor market as the reports released by the US labor department states a significantly higher-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report for November.

On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said 321,000 jobs were created in November, up from October’s revised level of 243000; October’s initial report said 214,000 jobs were created. September's employment report was also revised higher to 271,000 from the original report of 256,000 jobs. This was the biggest jump in employment since January 2012. The report noted that the 12 month average for employment was 224,000.

There was a huge growth witnessed in the jobs in November which was led by gains in professional and business services, retail trade, health care, and manufacturing.

Even though the jobs report was extremely impressive, gold did not extend sharp losses after its release. The previous two jobs reports saw upward revisions in employment gains, and wages also rose. The job gains in 2014 are the fastest rate since 1999

Gold prices dropped under $1,200 following a blowout November nonfarm payrolls report. It instantly fell by 10$ as there were further expectations that the Fed will start talking about the Fed funds going higher than expected. Such news is not motivating for the commodities markets and it further expected that gold prices will weaken.

Simultaneously we saw the US dollar rising on this news. The dollar index rose above 89 for the first time since March 2009. The dollar advanced to the highest since 2009 against a basket of currencies, cutting the appeal of bullion as an alternative asset. Dollar is trading currently at $ 1.228 against euro. Euro is slacking after the ECB left the interest rates unchanged.

The strong labor report further signifies the fact the Federal Reserve may soon hike rates and this could happen as early as next spring.

The only issue that could be of concern would be the wage growth reports as it was not seen to be that strong and could keep the Federal Reserve apart from pulling the trigger on interest rate hikes.

Before hiking the rates the Fed would want to see some further improvement in the wage growth which could practically happen if the current momentum in hiring is maintained and the underemployment rate continues to fall.

The labor markets have been improving rapidly over the past few months. The issue of concern now is the Fed’s reaction to its mid-December meeting. But if we see the global scenario gold prices in the international markets is expected to trade lower as a hangover of the recent run of losses.

In the near past, we have the dollar being the key influential factor for the weakened in the yellow metal and it is expected to continue to do so in the near future to.

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 - "Too Many Economies Putting Pressure On Gold"
http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2014/11/too-many-economies-putting-pressure-on.html

TOO MANY ECONOMIES PUTTING PRESSURE ON GOLD?

- Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL

The ones who are constantly in touch with the world markets especially precious metals know that the driving force behind gold and the main reason for its volatility between 2008-2011 has been the:

• FOMC’s policy

• Falling long term treasuries rates 

• Higher risk of economic slowdown 

• Fear of inflation. 

Initially all eyes would be glued to the US markets as any one step from this government would create volatility for gold. But nowadays, apart from the US markets it’s the Japanese, Chinese and Euro market that also played an influential role for gold. The economic indicators from these economies have also influenced gold prices to quite some extent.

This week the markets remained calm over the long Thanksgiving holiday, and there was not much volatility for gold and silver in international markets. Interestingly however the gold forwards have tightened significantly in spite of weak physical demand and ETF outflows, down 20k to 51.96 million ounces.

Apart from this the decision on Swiss referendum on gold holdings is also being long waited for. Looking back, Switzerland was the last country in the world to leave the gold standard in 1999 and may be the first to take a major step to becoming a gold-backed currency. One fifth of Switzerland’s 1040 tonnes of gold reserves are in the vaults of The Bank of England while a third are deposited in the Canadian Central Bank.

Under the ‘Save Our Swiss Gold’ initiative the SNB will have to hold at least a fifth of its assets in gold within five years. The bank will also be required to repatriate all Swiss gold held abroad and be banned from selling any of its holdings in future. Speculation that Switzerland could vote in favor of a motion to raise its gold reserves had strengthened prices. But finally on Sunday, a No Vote was passed which could create some ripples in the markets.

During the week, recent strong U.S. data had fueled talks that the Federal Reserve could soon raise interest rates, depressing gold. But the contradictory reports released on Wednesday showed domestic personal spending grew slightly less than forecast in October, while U.S. jobless claims rose to their highest since September and new orders for U.S.made capital goods fell for a second month in October Thus pushing gold prices up. 

Apart from the Swiss and US, data that came in as a surprise package for gold was the easing of curbs from the Indian government. In a move that is likely to bring cheers to traders as well as customers, India eased the restrictions on gold imports by withdrawing the 80:20 schemes.

Under the 80:20 norm, put in place in August 2013 to curb high gold inflows that was widening the current account deficit, at least 20 per cent of the imported gold had to be mandatory exported before bringing in new lots. With this move by RBI, they expected that gold will be kept back at home and thus improve supplies for the domestic market which will further bring gold prices down. Though the policy supported their idea of arresting Current account deficit but in turn created unprecedented growth of illegal channels that support Gold imported in the country. 

This move by RBI is to acknowledge the fact the CAD has reduced and even the Oil price has declined by almost 30% by what it was two months ago. I feel this is a really good move by the government. This will reduce the cost of Gold and procedural issues that the companies were facing with regards to Gold imports. 

Though gold showed mixed trends this week, there are players in the market who still believe that the sentiment for gold is bullish over the longer time frame. 

Following are a few reasons for this belief-

• Slowing of the ETF sales and outflow

• Seasonal demand from India after the onset of festivals and marriages India has witnessed a 100 tonne plus season consumption of gold. 

• Rising demand for gold is expected from China ahead of the Chinese New Year where gold is purchased heavily in the Chinese 

• With executive board member Yves Mersch commenting that gold buying could be part of the asset-purchase program, expectations and, therefore, demand may rise due to potential ECB investment in the yellow metal.

So once again it’s the bull v/s the bear market for gold and would be too early to comment. Now we need to wait for the market to further react to the easing of the 80:20 schemes and the Swiss Referendum. 

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 - "Lots in Basket For Gold This Week"
http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2014/11/lots-in-basket-for-gold-in-this-week.html

THE DOLLAR IS BEING WATCHED CLOSELY

by Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL

Gold's long term appeal continues to remain clouded by doubt. The dollar is getting stronger and the US economy is on the forefront and traders believe that interest rates will rise faster which weighs on gold as they lift the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets.

Till Thursday, gold price remained in a tight trading range. Precious metals sliced back early gains on Thursday after the lower than expected jobs number were released. Unemployment claims climbed 290000 more than the estimated 282,000 and Jolts jobs opening disappointed at 4.74 million against the expected 4.81 million.

The WGC released its Gold demand Trends report for Q3 and it showed that gold demand has been lying low along with the declining demand for jeweller, falling investment demand for bars and coins and reducing central bank purchases.

For the past few days gold has been hovering around $1159.20. But lately, gold has stabilised. After hitting its weakest level of the year till date on November 7.

But on Friday gold got the big push after a sudden weakening of the US dollar . Gold surged 2.5 percent on Friday to just shy of $1,200 an ounce.

Bullion secured more that $40 to a two -week high at $1,193.34 in New York after dropping more than 1 percent in early trade to test the $1,145 level, where strong support was seen twice in the last four sessions, triggering pre-weekend short covering.

Now that the dollar has been moving back and forth and everybody is watching the dollar very closely.

The dollar lately has hit a two-year high against the euro and seven-year high against the Japanese yen, fuelled by diverging interest-rate outlooks.

There are expectations that the US monetary policy will tighten next year as it is considered to be a stronger economy than Japan or the Euro zone. Which further dictates the fact the US dollar will strengthen  as precious metals often move inversely to the U.S currency, it means that they are bound to decline. 

Gold is often bought as an alternative currency when the dollar weakens, and vice-versa, while a muscular dollar also makes all commodities more expensive in other currencies and thus can hurt demand.

Next week a number of key economic indicators are lined and all investors will be closely watching over these. 

Monday- Industrial production and the New York Federal Reserve’s Empire State manufacturing index

Tuesday-  The producer price index 

Wednesday-  Housing and the Federal Open Market Committee releases minutes of its last meeting.

Thursday-  Jobless claims, the consumer price index, existing home sales and Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey.

Moreover on Wednesday one of the key influential factors will the upcoming US economy data which will be a deciding factor for the Fed to decide as to when it is likely to increase the interest rates.

Apart from the key economic indicators traders will also we keeping an eye on physical demand for gold and the Swiss refendrum.

Demand -China and India are the world’s two largest gold-consuming nations. The Indian wedding season will primarily witness gold buying and the Chinese too stock up the metal ahead of the country’s New Year festivities.

Swiss referendum- Swiss gold referendum is scheduled for Nov. 30. In this referendum the Swiss voters will decide whether the Swiss National Bank would have to hold at least 20% of its assets in the precious metal. This would open doors for more demand for gold as the central bank would have to accumulate much more gold, adding to the requirement side of the equation. Also, the referendum asks voters if the SNB should be banned from selling gold and whether all of its gold reserves should be held in Switzerland.

With the Dollar Index at a four-year high, the U.S. stocks reaching new highs, disinflation occurring in Europe and Asia, and commodity prices plunging, the gold prices have a hard time rallying. 

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 -

"Is Gold Being Completely Controlled By The Dollar?"

http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2014/11/is-gold-being-completely-controlled-by.html