GOLD OUTLOOK & ANALYSIS
Declining real yields and souring risk sentiment supports gold. Fed speakers to come later toda
y as markets mull over Powell speech. Can overbought XAU/USD push higher?
XAU/USD FUNDAMENTAL FORECAST Gold prices capitalized on the risk off mood across financial markets while receiving an additional boost from Fed Chair Jerome Powell last night. Tensions in the Middle East have been escalating playing into the hands of the safe haven yellow metal while US government bonds received a lift across the curve (decline in US Treasury yields). Consequently, real yields (refer to graphic below) are softening making the non-interest bearing asset more attractive to investors.
The Federal Reserve Chair signaled that the central bank is likely to keep interest rates on hold in November to gather more data and gauge the state of the US economy. That being said, there was no mention of being at the peak and that there could be scope for further monetary policy tightening if needed. From a more dovish perspective, he cited higher yields aided in keeping monetary policy conditions restrictive. Overall markets were expecting such guidance so no real surprises; however, money markets ‘dovishly’ repriced rate forecasts (see table below) with the first round of cuts expected around July as opposed to September prior to the speech.
IMPLIED FED FUNDS FUTURES
The economic calendar today is relatively muted and will see markets digesting yesterdays Fed comments as well as monitoring geopolitical tensions. More Fed speak will take place throughout the day but is unlikely to drive volatility as Fed Chair Powell’s address will be the focal point.
