Gold Slide Continues as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Hike

Gold has ticked lower in the Tuesday session. In North American trade, the spot price for an ounce of gold is $1241.22, down 0.08% on the day. On the release front, PPI posted a gain of 0.4%, matching the estimate. Core PPI came in at 0.3%, above the estimate of 0.2%. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise rates to a range between 1.25% to 1.50%. As well, the US releases CPI reports.

Traders should be prepared for a possible drop in gold prices on Wednesday, as the Federal Reserve meets to set the benchmark interest rate. The markets are expecting the Fed to raise rates by a quarter-point. Another rate hike is expected in January, with fed futures pricing a rate hike at 87%. The Fed is pleased with the strength of the US economy, but remains puzzled why strong growth and a red-hot labor market has not led to higher inflation. The labor market continues to operate at full capacity and various sectors in the economy are reporting a lack of workers. Still, this has not translated into stronger wage growth, despite predictions from Janet Yellen and other Fed policymakers that a lack of workers is bound to push up wages. On Friday, Average Hourly Earnings, which measures wage growth, came in at 0.2%, shy of the estimate of 0.3%. Whether inflation moves higher or remains depressed could have a significant effect on monetary policy – if wage growth and inflation shows improvement in 2018, the Fed could raise interest rates up to three times in 2018. After Wednesday’s rate announcement, the markets will be looking ahead to the January policy meeting, with the odds of a quarter-point hike standing at 86 percent.

 

XAU/USD Fundamentals

Tuesday (December 12)

  • 4:30 PPI Output. Estimate 0.2%. Actual 0.3%
  • 6:00 US NFIB Small Business Index. Estimate 104.6. Actual 107.5
  • 8:30 US PPI. Estimate 0.4%. Actual 0.4%
  • 8:30 US Core PPI. Estimate 0.2%. Actual 0.3%
  • 13:01 US 30-year Bond Auction
  • 14:00 US Federal Budget Balance. Estimate -135.2B

Wednesday (December 13)

  • 8:30 US CPI. Estimate 0.4%
  • 8:30 US Core CPI. Estimate 0.2%
  • 14:00 US FOMC Economic Projections
  • 14:00 US FOMC Statement
  • 14:00 US Federal Funds Rate. Estimate <1.50%
  • 14:00 US FOMC Press Conference

*All release times are GMT

*Key events are in bold

 

XAU/USD for Tuesday, December 12, 2017

XAU/USD December 12 at 12:25 EST

Open: 1242.20 High: 1246.27 Low: 1236.53 Close: 1241.22

 

XAU/USD Technical

S3 S2 S1 R1 R2 R3
1188 1213 1240 1260 1285 1307
  • XAU/USD posted small gains in the Asian session but retracted in European trade. The pair has been choppy in the North American session
  • 1240 is providing support
  • 1260 is the next resistance line
  • Current range: 1240 to 1260

Further levels in both directions:

  • Below: 1240, 1213 and 1188
  • Above: 1260, 1285, 1307 and 1337

OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio

XAU/USD ratio is unchanged in the Tuesday session. Currently, long positions have a majority (74%), indicative of trader bias towards XAU/USD reversing directions and moving to higher ground.

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.

Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher

Market Analyst at OANDA
A highly experienced financial market analyst with a focus on fundamental analysis, Kenneth Fisher’s daily commentary covers a broad range of markets including forex, equities and commodities. His work has been published in several major online financial publications including Investing.com, Seeking Alpha and FXStreet. Based in Israel, Kenny has been a MarketPulse contributor since 2012.