(MENAFN– ValueWalk)
gold prices were on track for their most substantial weekly rise since early April on Friday, driven by a weaker dollar and growing optimism for a halt in the Federal Reserve’s tightening trajectory, which enhanced the appeal of the precious metal .
As of Friday, spot gold had risen by 0.1% to $1,980.49 per ounce, and U.S. gold futures were stable at $1,997.50. The precious metal had seen a 1.7% gain over the week, setting it up for its most profitable week since the week ending on April 7.
Gold Prices Could Nudge Higher
Analysts anticipate that the gold market’s positive sentiment may further drive prices upward. Edward Meir, a metals analyst at Marex, suggested that prices could nudge higher given expectations that the Federal Reserve may maintain a holding pattern in June.
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Comments from Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker on Thursday fed into this optimism. Harker stated that despite the“disappointingly slow” pace of easing high inflation, U.S. central bankers should abstain from increasing interest rates at their forthcoming meeting.
Such comments have affected market predictions significantly. The probability of rates remaining the same in June has shot up to 71.5%. Given that gold does not generate interest, its allure diminishes in an environment of rising interest rates.
The value of the dollar also plays a significant role in gold’s appeal. The dollar index , which measures the dollar’s strength against a basket of other currencies , dipped to its lowest point in a week. A weaker dollar makes gold less costly for buyers trading in other currencies, enhancing its attractiveness as an investment
The U.S. political environment has also contributed to these market trends. The U.S. Senate recently approved bipartisan legislation, backed by President Joe Biden, to raise the government’s debt ceiling to $31.4 trillion. This crucial decision averted what could have been an unprecedented default in the country’s history.
U.S. Dollar Stabilizes
The U.S. dollar remained generally steady in fluctuating trade after the release of May’s non-farm payrolls reports on Friday, which indicated a significant surge in employment, albeit with an accompanying rise in the unemployment rate.
The report revealed a higher-than-expected increase in public and private sector payrolls, with a total addition of 339,000 jobs in May. The economists surveyed by Reuters had predicted an increase of 190,000 non-farm payrolls for May, a forecast based on the 253,000 rises observed in April.
The dollar index, a barometer measuring the U.S. currency against six other currencies, remained relatively stable at 103.58.
Prior to the release of the employment data by the U.S. Labor Department, the dollar was on track for its most substantial weekly decline since mid-January. This trend was largely due to the growing consensus among investors that the federal reserve would likely hold off on increasing interest rates this month. Such a decision would reduce the greenback’s attractiveness to non-U.S. investors.
The implications of the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates are reflected in the financial market predictions. Money markets now indicate a roughly 29% probability of a rate hike in June, a significant reduction from the near 70% odds predicted earlier in the week.
In the European market, the euro remained unchanged at $1.0762, close to its highest value in about a week. This stability is attributed to comments from the European Central Bank President, Christine Lagarde. On Thursday, Lagarde stated that further policy tightening was necessary, a statement that gave the euro a significant boost.
These factors combined, from gold’s appeal to currency fluctuations and employment data, present a complex but comprehensive picture of the current economic landscape. As the economic situation remains fluid, the outcomes will continue to depend heavily on central bank policies and other macroeconomic indicators. Investors, therefore, need to maintain a vigilant watch on these developments.