Gold Starts Week Close to $1200

Gold has started off the week quietly, as the spot price stands at $1196 per ounce in Monday’s European session. On the release front, it’s a very quiet day, with only one event, Flash Services PMI. No change is expected in this reading.

The euro hasn’t had much to cheer about lately, and the currency took a tumble on Friday, losing over 150 points. This was a result of remarks from ECB head Mario Draghi, who warned that that inflation expectations were declining to levels that were very low and said the ECB is ready to expand its stimulus program. Deep interest rate cuts haven’t boosted growth or inflation, so the ECB has reached deeper into its toolbox and purchased covered bonds and asset-backed securities. So far, these purchases have been from the private sector, but the ECB could decide to expand these purchases to government bonds, known has quantitative easing (QE). However, there is strong resistance to QE from national central banks, such as the powerful German Bundesbank.

In the US, there was a flurry of releases on Thursday. Consumer inflation met expectations, as CPI came in at 0.0% and Core CPI posted a gain of 0.2%. Unemployment Claims were almost unchanged, with a reading of 291 thousand. Philly Fed Manufacturing Index soared to 40.8 points and US Existing Home Sales improved to 5.26 million.

XAU/USD for Monday, November 24, 2014

XAU/USD November 24 at 13:15 GMT

XAU/USD 1196.93 H: 1203.67 L: 1192.77

XAU/USD Technical

• XAU/USD is showing limited movement as the pair continues to trade close to the 1200 line.
• On the downside, 1175 is providing strong support.
• 1200 has reverted to a resistance role as the pair has posted small losses.
• Current range: 1175 to 1200.

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 1175, 1156, 1130 and 1111
• Above: 1200, 1215, 1240, 1255 and 1275

OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio

XAU/USD ratio is pointing to gains in short positions on Monday. This is consistent with the pair’s movement, as gold has posted small losses. The ratio has a majority of long positions, indicative of trader bias in favor of gold moving to higher levels.

XAU/USD Fundamentals

• 14:45 US Flash Services PMI. Estimate 57.3 points.

*Key releases are highlighted in bold

*All release times are GMT

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.