Gold Calm as Markets Await US Employment Data

Gold prices are stable, as the spot price stands at $1322.71 per ounce late in the European session. Today’s highlight is JOLTS Job Openings, and the markets are expecting a strong reading from the June release. If the indicator meets expectations, gold could lose ground against the dollar.

US employment numbers impressed last week, led by Nonfarm Payrolls and the Unemployment Rate sparkled. Nonfarm Payrolls, one of the most important indicators, bounced back in June with a strong gain of 288 thousand new jobs. This crushed the estimate of 214 thousand. Unemployment Claims was steady at 315 thousand, almost replicating the estimate of 314 thousand. There was more good news from the Unemployment Rate, which continues to move downward. The indicator dipped to 6.1%, its lowest level since September 2008. The strong employment numbers are sure to increase speculation about an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve, and remarks by Fed policymakers will be under the market microscope.

As widely expected, the ECB maintained the benchmark interest rate at 0.15% at its July policy meeting. This was is sharp contrast to the previous meeting, in which the ECB lowered the benchmark rate from 0.25% and introduced negative deposit rates for the first time. At this week’s meeting, ECB head Mario Draghi noted that inflation rates remain very low, and said that the ECB was ready to implement “unconventional instruments” if necessary. As well, Draghi reiterated that the ultra-low interest rates would remain at current levels or lower for the foreseeable future.

XAU/USD for Tuesday, July 8, 2014

XAU/USD July 8 at 12:35 GMT

XAU/USD 1322.71 H: 1323.98 L: 1316.10

XAU/USD Technical

• XAU/USD was flat in the Asian session and has edged higher late in European trading.
• 1315 is providing support. The round number of 1300 is stronger.
• 1331 is the next resistance line.
• Current range: 1315 to 1331.

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 1315, 1300, 1275 and 1260
• Above: 1331, 1354, 1375 and 1388

OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio

XAU/USD is pointing to gains in short positions on Tuesday. This is not reflected in the pair’s movement, as gold has posted small gains. The ratio has a slight majority of long positions, pointing to trader bias towards gold moving to higher levels against the US dollar.

XAU/USD Fundamentals

• 6:00 German Trade Balance. Estimate 15.7B. Actual 18.8B.
• 6:45 French Government Budget Balance. Estimate -64.3B.
•  6:45 French Trade Balance. Estimate -4.1B. Actual -4.9B.
• All Day -ECOFIN Meetings.
• 11:30 NFIB Small Business Index. Estimate 97.3 points. Actual 95.0 points.
• 14:00 US JOLTS Job Openings. Estimate 4.53M.
• 17:45 FOMC Member Narayana Kocherlakota Speaks.
• 19:00 US Consumer Credit. Estimate 21.3B.

*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.