By Mr. Prithviraj Kothari, MD, RSBL
Over the past year and to be precise, lately, there has been a strong belief in the market that the U.S. is on it way of raising its rates. While evidence of continued improvement in the US economy is not gold-friendly and ultimately acts as an obstacle for the price rise in yellow metal.
Let’s have a quick glance to the important highlights during the last week:
Non farm payrolls data:
The most awaited or rather the most influential factor this week was the jobs report. The US created 280,000 new jobs in May, significantly above analysts’ estimates of 222,000 and the highest climb in jobs figures seen in months. US indicators have increased in importance at the moment as the Federal Reserve specifically identified US jobs data as one of the key factors on its decision when to raise interest rates from near zero.
The unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.5 percent. Private sector job growth has increased 63 straight months, a US record.
EUROZONE:
In the Eurozone, French trade balance in April was a negative three billion, above forecasts of four billion, while German factory orders month-over-month in April was up 1.4 percent, beating consensus of 0.6 percent. With investor sentiment for gold so weak gold prices may well continue lower, but we do feel this is leading to a better buying opportunity and given developments in Greece and with potential for corrections in other asset classes, it may not be too long before the markets start looking for a safe-haven again.
DOLLAR:
The dollar jumped to a 13-year high against the yen and gained against most major currencies, cutting the appeal of precious metals as alternative assets. The expectation of an interest rate hike has benefited the dollar and it has enjoyed a dramatic and sustained rally.
GREECE:
Meanwhile in Greece, the country delayed a 300-million-euro repayment to the IMF until the end of June and bundling all the payments together, increasing the risk of a Greek exit from the bloc.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reportedly rejected proposals put together by its lenders, arguing that any deal to unlock crucial bailout funds must be based on his own side’s conditions. But the two sides remain “very close” to agreeing a deal, after creditors supposedly proposed lower primary surplus goals.
Geopolitical Tension:
Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists on Wednesday fought their first serious battles in months and Ukraine's defense minister said an attempt by rebels to take the eastern town of Maryinka had been thwarted.
Post the US job data release, gold prices tumbled as the economy showed strong signs of recovery after a lackluster first quarter. Investors have been barring gold on signs that the economy has grown enough adhesion to damp the need for haven assets, encouraging worry that better progress will push policy makers to raise rates.
It’s not possible to give a clarity to what exactly the price of gold is going to be tomorrow. Nor it is easy to take a buy call in Silver as the metal continues to follow gold with the risk to the downside. There are many factors that support and upper drive and a contrary lower drive for gold prices.
First, we think about international geopolitical tensions. Second, the uncertainty coming from Greece is still lingering in the minds of traders and captains of industry. Third, strategic or policy-related bullion purchases by central banks remain significantly high: After eight quarters of capital outflows from the ETF industry, the first quarter of 2015 saw a rebound in gold purchases.
However, two factors might hamper the bullion’s technical ascent, reducing the precious metal’s value over time. The first element comes from long-term charts: Gold is still in a long-term bearish trend, which has caused the precious metal to drop 30% in value from the peak reached during the summer of 2011. Second obstacle to higher gold prices: the strong US dollar and the historically negative correlation between the American currency and the yellow metal. To add Hedge funds and money managers cut net long positions in gold and silver during the week ended June 2, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission data showed on Friday.
A stimulating clash awaits for bulls and bears in the coming months! But, as usual, the final word rests with the markets.
TRADE RANGE:
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Rs.25,700 - Rs.27,300 per 10g
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Rs.36,500 - Rs.39,500 per kg
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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 -
"Calmness before the big move in Gold and Silver"
http://riddisiddhibullionsltd.blogspot.in/2015/06/calmness-before-big-move-in-gold-and.html
