Gold prices rise as global stocks drop
Gold has risen overnight as renewed weakness in global stock markets spurred investors to seek refuge in bullion, which has also been helped by an improved technical outlook.
Spot gold rose 0.3 per cent to $US1,226.11 per ounce, while US gold futures settled up $US2.70, or 0.22 per cent, at $US1,230.10 an ounce.
“Renewed weakness in equity markets might trigger additional buying in gold,” said Alexander Zumpfe, a precious metals trader at Heraeus.
“Gold continues to look well supported by short-covering and fresh buying after it recently installed a short-term uptrend.
“We continue to see good physical demand on every price dip,” he added.
US stocks fell on Thursday as weak earnings reports from industrials raised worries over rising expenses and the impact of tariffs, adding to concerns of higher borrowing costs after hawkish commentary in the US Federal Reserve’s minutes.
“Overall, we have been technically breaking above the previous highs, so it will be difficult for gold prices to move below that,” said ABN AMRO analyst Georgette Boele.
The global stock market sell-off on Monday boosted gold’s appeal, helping the yellow metal to a two and a half month peak of $US1,233.26.
A rise above the 100-day moving average, around $US1,226, was also supporting gold, with some analysts saying a clear break above that level could trigger further gains and put further pressure on short-sellers.
The dollar index rose to a one-week high after the minutes from the last Fed meeting reiterated a hawkish stance on monetary policy, normally a bearish signal for gold.
“We have seen strong inflows in exchange traded funds in the last weeks that sort of indicate investor sentiment is turning now for the metal, moving to the positive side,” ETF Securities analyst Nitesh Shah said.
Holdings of the SPDR Gold Trust, the largest gold-backed ETF, have gained more than two per cent since October 3.
“Geopolitical and macroeconomic factors are still not indicating exuberance and risk appetite returning to markets with full throttle,” said Religare Securities analyst Sugandha Sachdeva.
Trade war concerns, a hawkish US central bank and tensions between the United States and Saudi Arabia are seen weighing on appetite for riskier assets.
This bodes well for gold as a hedge against market volatility and a portfolio diversifier, Sachdeva added.
In other precious metals trading, silver was down 0.2 per cent at $US14.59 per ounce, having earlier touched its lowest since October 11 at $US14.41.
Platinum slipped 0.3 per cent to $US829 after hitting a one-week low of $US821, while palladium gained 0.3 per cent to $US1,072.25.
Source: nine.com.cau
