-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oil prices and diminishing investment actions are also signifying that the market has temporarily disowned gold and has been replaced by more interest generating assets in its class.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.
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
http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2014/11/too-many-economies-putting-pressure-on.html
