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Precious metals rally as dollar slides

written by Bella Palmer
precious-metals

Spot gold rose 1.6 per cent to $1,815.10 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures settled up 1.5 per cent at $1,825.4

Gold prices climbed more than 1 per cent to their highest levels in a week on Tuesday and other precious metals also rallied on the back of a sliding dollar, as markets remained focused on the Federal Reserve's interest rate strategy.

Spot gold rose 1.6 per cent to $1,815.10 per ounce by 1857 GMT, while U.S. gold futures settled up 1.5 per cent at $1,825.4.

The yen surged to a four-month peak against the dollar after the Bank of Japan stunned markets by deciding to review its yield-curve control policy.

Weaker housing data lead to flight-to-safety buying in the precious metals, which along with the decision from the Bank of Japan, was the ‘perfect storm’ this morning, said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

Bullion has shed more than $260 an ounce since its March peak as central banks stepped up efforts to fight soaring inflation, but is enjoying its best quarter since early 2020, up 9.4 per cent so far.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell last week said the U.S. central bank will deliver more rate hikes next year even as the economy slips towards a possible recession.

I see that it's going to be a dark shadow on the gold market, but I still think we're headed for an upside, said Jeffrey Sica, chief executive officer of Circle Squared Alternative Investments, referring to the prospect of the Fed continuing to raise rates.

Higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion that pays no interest.

Top consumer of bullion China was grappling with surging COVID-19 cases, and the World Bank cut its growth outlook for this year and the next.

Important:

This article is for information purposes only.

Please remember that financial investments may rise or fall and past performance does not guarantee future performance in respect of income or capital growth; you may not get back the amount you invested.

There is no obligation to purchase anything but, if you decide to do so, you are strongly advised to consult a professional adviser before making any investment decisions.

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