Gold and silver prices continued their recent ascent in Asian and early London trading, nearing two-week highs after significant slumps at the end of September. Analysts suggested that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes might end ahead of September’s release of US inflation data. Despite a recent surge in inflation, gold and silver rebounded, reaching approximately $1880 and $22 per Troy ounce, respectively.
The US market changes mainly drive the gold prices; however, the Middle Eastern countries’ developments – the Israel-Hamas conflict – also brought attention. A broader destabilization or prolonged conflict in the Middle East could increase the premium in both gold and oil pricing.
The US CPI data showed higher-than-expected figures for September 2023, with a 3.7% annual increase, slightly above the consensus forecast of 3.6%. The yearly core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 4.1% in September, aligning with analysts’ predictions.
The impact of the ongoing strike by United Auto Workers on inflation and the potential for further rate hikes remain sources of uncertainty. In response to these developments, bond prices rose, and 10-year Treasury yields eased to 4.57% per annum.
Market participants and some headlines suggested that the Federal Reserve might conclude its rate hikes. Although the minutes from the Fed’s September ‘no change’ decision indicated that one more rate increase could be appropriate, some policymakers believed that no further increases would likely be necessary.
The precious metals market found support after a significant washout, including Comex speculators taking net short positions in gold and silver. The stabilizing bond markets also contributed to this recovery.
Global stock markets also extended their rally as longer-term interest rates in the bond market traded below last week’s fresh multi-year highs. The Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates was a key influence on various asset classes, including gold.
In this uncertainty, market sentiment was primarily driven by US data and Federal Reserve policy. While commitments from primary producers influenced the rise in oil prices, the precious metals market faced some resistance due to a drop in the US Dollar’s exchange rate value. Nevertheless, gold and silver prices have substantially recovered in US Dollars and other currencies, such as pounds and euros.
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