Gold edges higher as U.S consumer inflation slips

Gold has posted slight gains in the Wednesday session. In North American trade, the spot price for one ounce of gold is $1245.29, up 0.19% on the day. In economic news, consumer inflation reports softened in November, but matched the estimates. CPI dipped to 0.0 percent and Core CPI fell to 0.2 percent. On Thursday, the U.S releases unemployment claims.

The markets have become used to the Federal Reserve’s “gradual rate hike” policy, but that is likely to change next year. Only a few months ago, there was talk that the Federal Reserve could hike rates up to four times in 2019. However, signs of a slowdown in the U.S. economy have drastically changed matters, as the Fed is expected to scale back its rate increases, with many analysts predicting just one rate hike next year. Three rate hikes so far this year are starting to cool the red-hot U.S. economy. This trend is apparent from lower GDP readings and a dismal nonfarm payrolls report for November. Still, the Fed is widely expected to raise rates at the policy meeting on December 19, with the CME pegging the likelihood of a rate hike at 80%. The steady diet of rate hikes has also helped support the U.S dollar against other major currencies and gold. Since the start of the year, gold prices have fallen 4.5 percent, even with the global trade war and other geopolitical hotspots which

Risk appetite returns on trade hopes

Markets are waiting on a letter

May to face vote of no confidence

XAU/USD Fundamentals

Wednesday (December 12)

• 8:30 US CPI. Estimate 0.0%. Actual 0.0%
• 8:30 US Core CPI. Estimate 0.2%. Actual 0.2%
• 10:30 US Crude Oil Inventories. Estimate -3.0M. Actual 1.2M
• 13:01 US 10-year Bond Auction
• 14:00 US Federal Budget Balance. Estimate -193.5B

Thursday (December 13)

• 8:30 US Unemployment Claims. Estimate 226K

*All release times are EST

*Key events are in bold

XAU/USD for Wednesday, December 12, 2018

XAU/USD December 12 at 12:05 EST

Open: 1243.06 High: 1246.83 Low: 1242.09 Close: 1245.29

XAU/USD Technical

XAU/USD posted small gains in the Asian session. In the European session, the pair edged lower but then recovered.  XAU/USD is showing little movement in North American trade

• 1236 is providing support
• 1261 is the next resistance line
• Current range: 1236 to 1261

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 1236, 1220, 1204 and 1170
• Above: 1261, 1284 and 1306

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.