Gold rebounds above $2,900 on haven demand, silver flirts with $32
OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: President Trump's promised tariffs against America's largest trading partners took effect overnight. Global stocks came under pressure as trade war worries ramped up risk aversion.
Duties on EU products are thought to be forthcoming. China immediately retaliated with new tariffs on U.S. farm products. Markets are fearful that Canada and Mexico also have retaliatory levies planned.
Escalating trade tensions threaten to stoke both inflation and growth risks. The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow indicator has plunged into negative territory, driven by the trade deficit blowout as importers front-ran tariffs, weak personal consumption, and soft manufacturing data.
The GDPNow chart looks horrible, but this indicator can be quite volatile. The NY Fed's Nowcast continues to suggest a growth rate close to 3%.
At a minimum, GDPNow is a troubling harbinger, contributing to already elevated market jitters. Look for Q1 GDP forecasts to continue eroding.
The market will be paying close attention to jobs data this week to see if cracks are forming in the labor market. Median expectations for the ADP survey are +139k and +160k for NFP.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated he may strip out government spending from GDP. “You know that governments historically have messed with GDP. They count government spending as part of GDP. So I’m going to separate those two and make it transparent.”
“A more accurate measure of GDP would exclude government spending,” wrote Elon Musk on X. While the administration claims such a move would bolster transparency, many are arguing it is an effort to obscure slower growth stemming from massive cuts to government.
Even with Europe now taking the lead on negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, President Zelensky said that an end to the war was “very, very far away.” Trump warned that "if somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long."
Trump paused military aid to Ukraine following Friday's Oval Office clash. Zelensky characterized that meeting as "regrettable," indicating a willingness to "make things right” and continue working toward peace.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appears to be in jeopardy. Israel has halted aid shipments into Gaza until Hamas agrees to new conditions.
President Trump will speak before a joint session of Congress this evening. "There will be a lot of surprises and a lot of made-for-TV moments,” said an administration official. Markets typically don't like surprises.
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index fell 4.2% to 49.8 in March, below expectations of 53.1, versus 52.0 in February. It was the first read below 50 since Trump's election.
GOLD
OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$27.05 (+0.94%)
5-Day Change: -$6.66 (-0.23%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $2,955.40
52-Week Range: $2,111.24 - $2,955.40
Weighted Alpha: +33.36
Gold regained $2,900 as rising trade and geopolitical tensions drove risk aversion and flight to safe havens. A 12-week low in the dollar index and deleveraging pressures are contributing to today's bid in the yellow metal.
The World Gold Council reported that global central banks continued their gold buying spree in January. Net buying totaled 18 tonnes, with Uzbekistan, China, and Kazakhstan the top three buyers.
More than 61.8% of last week's correction has now been retraced, but gains at least temporarily stalled ahead of the 78.6% Fibonacci level at $2,929.68. A breach of this level is needed to clear the way for a retest of last week's record high at $2,955.40 and the long-standing $3,000 objective.
The weekly key reversal from last week remains a troubling technical feature and warrants a degree of caution when it comes to fully recommitting to the dominant uptrend. I'm going to base my short-term confidence on today's close relative to the 20-day moving average at $2,903.87.
A close below $2,903.87/$2,900.00 would leave secondary support at $2,883.58/80.99 vulnerable to a retest. The latter is marked by today's overseas low and the halfway back point of the rally off last week's low at $2,835.23.
Silver has been pulled higher by this week's haven-inspired rebound in gold despite the darkening growth picture. The weaker dollar is providing some additional underpinning.
White metal gains have faltered ahead of $32, keeping the 20-day moving average at $32.114 at bay. A short-term close back above $32.00/114 is needed to bolster the confidence of the bull camp, but rising trade tensions and growth risks are likely to mean that silver will lag on the upside.
Scope remains for further tests of the 100-day MA at $31.281. Today's overseas low at $31.517, and the 50% retracement level of this week's bounce at $31.421 provide intervening barriers.
The Silver Institute projects that silver demand will remain steady at 1.20 billion ounces this year. They estimate that supply will increase 3% to 1.03 billion ounces. This should result in a fifth consecutive annual deficit in 2025 and provide important price support.
The basic supply/demand fundamentals remain broadly supportive for silver. While I favor the upside over the longer term, I suspect the uptrend will continue to be punctuated by sometimes volatile setbacks.
In their most recent newsletter, the Silver Institute also makes note of research done with PMI that concluded "no correlation exists between the overall level of above-ground stocks and the silver price."
"Once only a storehouse of wealth, for instance in bars, silverware, jewelry and coins, items that stay mostly as they were produced – and largely unavailable to the market – silver has become an industrial metal that usually gets consumed or otherwise taken out of circulation except for recycling, whose effect can vary."
Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com
Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.
Gold and silver recover from last week's sell-offs on revived geopolitical tensions, softer dollar
OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: Hopes for a speedy end to the war in Ukraine were dealt a blow after Friday's Oval Office meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and President Trump turned confrontational. Zelensky was asked to leave the White House at the direction of President Trump and return when he was ready for peace.
"Of course, we understand the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we’ve received from the United States. There has not been a day when we haven’t felt gratitude," Zelensky said on Sunday in an effort to smooth things over.
European leaders rallied around Zelensky over the weekend and are now taking the lead on negotiating a ceasefire. "This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act,” said UK PM Keir Starmer.
Having Europe take a more prominent role in negotiations is arguably desirable. However, there is broad acknowledgment that any deal would still require the support of the U.S.
Last week, Trump said he would implement 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday as promised. China will incur additional 10% duties as the U.S. seeks to curtail the flow of illegal drugs.
While the Fed's favored measure of inflation cooled slightly in January, consumers cut spending by the most in four years. Sticky inflation, weather, and a more general decline in consumer confidence were contributing factors.
Fed funds futures now project that the next rate cut will happen in June. Two such cuts are anticipated by year end.
Friday's nonfarm payrolls report will be a focus this week and may provide some clarity on Fed policy. Median expectations are +160k jobs.
S&P Global Manufacturing PMI was revised up to a 31-month high of 52.7 in February from an initial print of 51.6 versus 51.2 in January. Input cost and selling price inflation accelerated.
Manufacturing ISM fell 0.6 points to 50.3 in February, below expectations of 50.4, versus 50.9 in January. The streak of monthly increases ends at four. Prices paid surged 7.5 points to 62.4 from 54.9 in January.
Construction Spending slipped 0.2% in January, below expectations of -0.1%, versus +0.5% in December.
Domestic Auto and Light Truck Sales for February will be out later today. Expectations are +1.9M and +10.1M, respectively.
GOLD
OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$16.22 (+0.57%)
5-Day Change: -$78.64 (-2.66%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $2,955.40
52-Week Range: $2,079.74 - $2,955.40
Weighted Alpha: +31.17
Gold starts the week on the bid, buoyed by revived geopolitical risks and more dovish Fed bets. A weaker dollar is providing additional support.
The halfway back point of last week's decline comes in at $2,895.32 and is bolstered by the still rising 20-day MA at $2,900.18. A convincing climb back above $2900 would return credence to the underlying uptrend and initially shift focus to the 61.8% retracement level at $2,909.50.
Beyond the latter, watch $2,929.68 (78.6% retrace) and last week's record high at $2.955.40. Losses from that high were considered corrective, and the $3,000 remains a valid upside objective.
However, the weekly key reversal confirmed on Friday remains a troubling technical feature for the bull camp. We could see at least one more go at the downside.
The 50% retracement level of the rebound from Friday's low comes in at $2,863.68. This level is bolstered by a minor chart point at $2,860.36 and protects the overseas low at $2,857.67. Below that, $2,835.23 and the $2,800 zone would be back in play.
The COT report for last week revealed a decline of 7.1k in net speculative long positions to 261.6k contracts versus 268.7k in the previous week. It was the third consecutive weekly decline in spec longs.
Silver has rebounded more than 2%, stoked by gold's bounce and a weaker dollar. The white metal plunged 4% last week. It was the first lower weekly close in six.
Broadly firmer manufacturing PMIs are also helping silver's recovery today. "We see room for larger gains in silver as the gold rally consolidates and global industrial production signals a modest recovery," UBS said in a note. Copper got a boost as well.
The SLV ETF saw modest inflows last week. However, the COT report showed net speculative long positions fell by 1.6k to 52.9k contracts, versus 54.5k in the previous week.
CFTC Silver speculative net positions
The inability of silver to sustain losses below the 100-day moving averages is somewhat encouraging. However, it would take a rebound above $32 to ease short-term pressure on the downside. The 20-day moving average comes in at $32.132 to start the week.
If today's rebound in gold proves to be just a brief reprieve, further tests below $31 will have to be considered. With more than 50% of the rally from $28.783 to $33.340 already retraced, the $30.525/516 level (61.8% retrace, 200-day) may still be an attraction.
Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com
Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.
2/25/2025
Gold tumbles below $2,900, silver below $32
OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: Geopolitical tensions are easing in hopes of a negotiated resolution to the war in Ukraine. “It looks like we’re getting very close,” President Trump said on Monday.
Geopolitical Risk (GPR) Index
The GPR index is declining from a 10-month high and has moved below the 7 and 30-day moving averages. The ruble has set a six-month high against the dollar, reflecting market optimism that a deal will be struck and sanctions on Russia will be lifted.
Putin has already offered aluminum supply and cooperation on energy and rare earths development. Trump posted on TruthSocial that "major Economic Development transactions" between the United States and Russia are being discussed.
Speaking at the White House, French President Macron struck a more cautious tone; pointing out that it was Putin who violated the peace and warning that Russia has a history of violating ceasefire agreements. Nonetheless, he conceded that a deal was "feasible" within the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, a top deputy of Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that Ukraine would not concede any territory. "What I can say is that we, now, are not ready to accept any territorial concessions whatsoever. We have no other option but to say no to a bad peace deal," said Ihor Brusylo.
Given the blood and treasure expended by Russia over the past three years, I don't think Putin can entirely withdraw from Ukraine without political repercussions at home. A lot can still go wrong here.
Despite some optimism on the geopolitical front, markets remain decidedly in risk-off mode. Concerns about the health of the U.S. economy continued to mount due to eroding consumer confidence and rising inflation worries.
“In February, consumer confidence registered the largest monthly decline since August 2021,” said Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators at The Conference Board. “This is the third consecutive month on month decline, bringing the Index to the bottom of the range that has prevailed since 2022." she added.
The Trump honeymoon may be over amid worries about his trade policies, inflation, and brash efforts to cut spending and the size of government. While I believe the federal government headcount needs to be slashed, the angst of more than three million employees, and their family members, can have a consequential ripple effect throughout the broader economy.
Will deregulation and expectations of lower energy costs offset the above? Time will tell...
S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index slipped 0.13% to 332.2 in December from 332.6 in November. It was the fifth consecutive monthly decline, although the annualized pace of gains accelerated to 4.48% y/y, from +4.35% in November.
FHFA Home Price Index edged up 0.4% in December to 436.1, versus an upward revised 434.3 in November. Annualized appreciation accelerated to a 4.7% pace from an upward revised +4.5% in November (was +4.2%).
Consumer Confidence tumbled seven points to an eight-month low of 98.3 in February, below expectations of 102.8, versus 104.1 in January. It was the third straight monthly decline. Twelve-month inflation expectations surged to a 21-month high of 6.0% from 5.2% in January. The Conference Board cited "the recent jump in prices of key household staples like eggs and the expected impact of tariffs" as contributing factors.
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index jumped 10 points to 6 in February, above expectations of -3, versus -4 in January. It was the first positive reading in 15 months and the highest in nearly three years. Prices paid ebbed to a 2.23% pace from 2.37%.
GOLD
OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: -$13.71 (-0.46%)
5-Day Change: +$4.38 (+0.15%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $2,955.40
52-Week Range: $2,025.08 - $2,955.40
Weighted Alpha: +40.16
Gold fell nearly 2% to trade briefly below $2,900, weighed by tempered geopolitical risks and perhaps helped by deleveraging. The losses come a day after I highlighted some warning signs in Monday's commentary.
While scope is seen for additional corrective activity, the underlying trend remains decisively bullish. I'm watching the 20-day moving average at $2,881.07 and chart support at $2,880.05/$2,878.68. Below the latter, the 12-Feb low at $2,869.08 would be in play.
As noted yesterday, there is risk for a protracted corrective phase which could mean $3,000 is on hold for a while. The next couple of sessions will tell us a lot.
A breach of the 20-day moving average on a close basis would suggest potential as low as $2,748.41 (50% retracement of the rally from $2,541,42 to $2,955.40). This level is bolstered by the 50-day moving average at $2,754.32. Good intervening support is noted at $2,800.00/$2,797.26.
A rebound above the halfway-back point of this decline at $2,925.06 would ease pressure on the downside somewhat. While not a guarantee of imminent new highs, it would be viewed as encouraging to the bull camp.
President Trump reiterated yesterday that he's interested in the gold reserves held at Fort Knox. "We're actually going to Fort Knox to see if the gold is there. Because maybe somebody stole the gold. Tons of gold,” he said.
While I doubt it has been stolen, I do wonder if the Fed can account for all 8,133 tonnes. I also want to know if there are encumbrances on that gold that call into question its ownership.
A comprehensive audit is needed to assure the public that their gold is exactly where it's supposed to be and no other government or entity else has a claim to it. Jan Nieuwenhuijs's open letter to President Trump provides a thorough explanation of why there have been persistent concerns about U.S. gold reserves for decades.
If Treasury fails to provide said assurances, I think the dollar's position as the global reserve currency would be further eroded. A weaker dollar would further exacerbate inflation and provide yet another driving force behind the dollar-based price of gold.
In such an instance, I'd be thinking seriously about $5,000 gold.
Silver plunged back below $32, weighed by the retreat in gold. Arguably, gold's strength and a resilient U.S. economy were the last underpinnings for silver amid mounting global growth risks and worries of an impending trade war.
The tumble below $32 shifted focus to the 11-Feb low at $31.334 and the 100-day MA at $31.257. Below these levels, the halfway-back point of this year's rally comes in at $31.062.
The 61.8% retracement level of the rally from $28.783 to $33.30 is at $30.525 and corresponds closely with the 200-day moving average. These will be levels to watch on move below $31.
A rebound and close above the 20-day MA at $32.095 would ease pressure on the downside somewhat. However, now I want to see a close above $33 – something silver just couldn't muster in recent weeks – before I can feel confident about a retest of the October cycle high at $34.853.
Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com
Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.
Gold ekes out a new record on persistent haven appeal. Silver slips.
OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance won the largest share of the votes in this weekend's snap election. CDU party leader Friedrich Merz is poised to become the next chancellor.
The far-right AfD party received the second most votes, although the CDU/CSU alliance and all other parties have vowed not to invite the AfD into any coalition. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) lost votes both to the right and the further left. In an interesting twist, although they will never work together, the far right and far left parties could hamstring the agenda of the new conservative government.
For example, both the AfD and Die Linke oppose military aid to Ukraine. Together they also could make it difficult to loosen the "debt brake." The throttling of new debt at 0.35% of GDP is keeping Europe's largest economy in recession.
Risk aversion remains elevated in the wake of Friday's U.S. data that reflected eroding consumer and business sentiment, rising inflation expectations, and hints of a weakening labor market. Today's data further stoked risk-off sentiment.
Prospects for the next Fed rate cut are back to July, but that's not providing much relief for the greenback. The dollar index slipped to an 11-week low as the euro was heartened somewhat by the German election results. However, the EU and Germany still face considerable headwinds from weak growth and threatened tariffs.
Meanwhile, the world is watching in real-time as the Trump administration makes radical changes to how the government of the world's largest economy functions. Beyond the headline-grabbing tariffs and slashing of foreign aid, President Trump has urged Elon Musk to be even more aggressive in shrinking the bloated Federal government.
President Trump is meeting with French President Macron today. There is a joint press conference scheduled for 2:00 EST, where global trade may be addressed.
Another round of Russia/Ukraine peace talks is slated to begin tomorrow in Riyadh on Tuesday. Steve Witkoff, the top negotiator for the U.S., has suggested a peace agreement is near. “In any peace deal, each side is going to make concessions, whether it’s territorial concessions, whether it’s economic concessions,” he said.
News also surfaced on Friday that the Wuhan Institute of Virology had discovered a new bat coronavirus similar to COVID. A leak from the Wuhan Institute is widely believed to be the source of the COVID pandemic.
Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index tumbled 22.4 points to a six-month low of -8.3 in February versus 14.1 in January. It was the first negative reading since November. The production index plunged 21 points to -9.1. New orders fell 11 points to -3.5, and capacity utilization slid 14 points to -8.7. The shipments index remained positive but edged down to 5.6.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index fell 0.21 points to -0.03 in January, versus 0.18 in December. The index has now been in negative territory in nine of the last 12 months. "Two of the four broad categories of indicators used to construct the index decreased from December, and one category made a negative contribution in January," according to the Chicago Fed.
GOLD
OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$11.03 (+0.38%)
5-Day Change: +$45.33 (+1.56%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $2,955.40
52-Week Range: $2,025.28 - $2,9455.40
Weighted Alpha: +40.42
Gold edged to another all-time high in early U.S. trading, buoyed by persistent geopolitical and trade tensions and a soft dollar. While the yellow metal has now reached record highs in five consecutive weeks, upside momentum has waned.
Global gold ETFs saw a massive inflow of 52.4 tonnes last week. North American investors accounted for more than 90% of the net inflows.
That ties the 11-Mar'22 week as the biggest net inflow since the week ended 24-Jul'20. When we see retail investors pile into the ETFs in such a way, it can be a harbinger of a protracted correction.
Gold set a record high of $2,065.89 in the 11-Mar'22 week and proceeded to correct more than 20%. It took two years for that high to be exceeded and the uptrend to resume.
The COT report revealed net spec long positioning fell 15.8k to 268.7k contracts from 284.5k in the previous week. It was the second straight weekly decline.
CFTC Gold speculative net positions
While the trend remains bullish at this point, the waning upside momentum, the surge in ETF inflows, and the bearish RSI divergence noted last week are all warning signs. Certainly, a Russia/Ukraine peace deal could significantly sap safe-haven demand.
While $3,000 may still be a powerful attraction, never underestimate the market's ability to disappoint the most investors possible. Heraeus's weekly newsletter, also notes that "signs of excess frothiness are becoming clearer, despite what appear to be firm fundamental drivers."
Keep an eye on support at $2,919.83, the low for both 21-Feb and 19-Feb. A breach of this level would suggest potential back below $2,900 toward the lows from 17-Feb and 14-Feb at $2,880.05/$2,878.68. I'll reevaluate downside risks if gold falls below $2,900.
On the other hand, a fresh round of record highs could keep $3,000 in play. The next Fibonacci objective comes in modestly higher at $3,037.94.
Silver notched a fifth straight higher weekly close last week, but was unable to sustain gains above $33. The white metal begins this week on its back foot by slipping to a four-session low amid persistent global growth concerns that now include the U.S. economy as well.
A minor chart point at $32.102 protects last week's low at $32.004. The latter corresponds closely with the rising 20-day moving average, which has been an important indicator since the beginning of the year.
A retreat below $32 would be troubling for the bull camp, particularly if the gold market were to no longer be providing the support of consistent record highs. Secondary support in silver is marked by the 11-Feb low at $31.334 and bolstered by the 100-day MA at $31.264.
A sustained move above $33 and breach of the 14-Feb high at $33.340 is needed to revive confidence in the uptrend. The $33.554 Fibonacci level remains an additional barrier ahead of last year's high at $34.853.
The COT report showed an increase of 4.8k in net speculative long positions to a 16-week high of 54.5k contracts, versus 49.7k in the previous week.
CFTC Silver speculative net positions
SLV, the biggest ETF, saw outflows of $125.5M. The ETF has seen just two weekly inflows since the beginning of the year, suggesting retail investors remain skeptical.
Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com
Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.
Gold continues to march toward $3,000. Silver remains below last week's high at $33.34.
OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: President Trump is considering returning 20% of DOGE savings to American taxpayers and using 20% to pay down debt. DOGE claims that total estimated savings thus far is $55 bln although many claim that figure is inflated.
While I think there are certainly more savings to be found in our bloated federal government, it won't make a dent in a national debt that's now north of $36 trillion. I suppose we have to start somewhere...
The House and the Senate are each advancing separate budget proposals. Trump has thrown his support behind the House's "one big, beautiful bill" approach, with large reductions in both taxes and spending.
The House proposal allows for $3.3 trillion in net deficit increases over 10 years and a $4 trillion increase in the debt limit. While there will be a reconciliation process, I don't see how this proposal honors the President's pledge to balance the budget.
The Senate budget legislation also lacks the comprehensive revenue increases or spending reductions needed to eliminate deficits. Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham said he’s “pulling for the House to pull it together," but pointed out that the House bill doesn't make the tax cuts permanent.
Minutes from the January 28–29 FOMC meeting were released yesterday and reflected a high level of uncertainty. Contributing factors to that uncertainty were "reduced downside risks to the outlook for the labor market and economic activity, increased upside risks to the outlook for inflation, and uncertainties concerning the neutral rate of interest, the degree of restraint from higher longer-term interest rates, or the economic effects of potential government policies."
"Business contacts in a number of Districts had indicated that firms would attempt to pass on to consumers higher input costs arising from potential tariffs," according to the minutes. This reinforces broad expectations that tariffs will contribute to inflationary pressures.
The minutes confirm that the Fed is inclined to remain on hold until more progress is made on inflation. Fed funds futures continue to suggest the September FOMC meeting as the most likely timing for the next 25 bps rate cut.
Safe-haven assets will continue to benefit from trade tensions, and the attendant global uncertainties and price risks. However, persistent optimism about the U.S. economy has generally underpinned risk appetite.
Philadelphia Fed Index tumbled 26.2 points to 18.1 in February, below expectations of 20.0, versus a nearly three-year high of 44.3 in January. "The indicators for current activity, new orders, and shipments remained elevated. On balance, the firms indicated an increase in employment, and the price indexes remained above their long-run averages," according to the report.
Initial Jobless Claims rose 5k to 219k in the week ended 15-Feb, above expectations of 215k, versus a revised 214k in the previous week. Continuing claims rose 24k to1,869k in the 8-Feb week from 1,845k in the previous week,
Leading Indicators fell 0.3% 101.5 in January, below expectations of unch, versus -0.1% in December. The gains in November and December remain the only increases since Feb'24.
GOLD
OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$15.36 (+0.52%)
5-Day Change: +$13.20 (+0.45%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $2,954.53
52-Week Range: $2,016.41 - $2,954.53
Weighted Alpha: +43.19
Gold notched a second new all-time high for the week as trade tensions continue to drive haven interest. A new 10-week low in the dollar index is providing support as well. Comments this morning from Treasury Secretary Bessent on gold revaluation knocked the yellow metal off its highs, but that dip is attracting further buying interest.
There's been a fair amount of buzz in recent weeks about the possible revaluation of U.S. gold reserves from the legacy statutory price of $42.22 an ounce to a more realistic figure. Such a move would likely provide a floor for the gold price and help perpetuate the dominant uptrend.
When asked about it on Bloomberg, Secretary Bessent said, "I promise you, that’s not what I had in mind.” While perhaps disappointing to gold bugs, his statement doesn't undermine the uptrend.
President Trump and Elon Musk have revived decades-old questions about U.S. gold reserves. "We’re going to go to Fort Knox and make sure the gold is still there,” vowed Trump on Wednesday. “If the gold isn’t there we’re going to be very upset,” he added.
Today, Treasury's Bessent assured Americans that U.S. gold reserves are right where they're purported to be. “All the gold is there,” he said.
Elon Musk is in favor of an audit. "Maybe it’s there, maybe it’s not. That gold is owned by the American public! We want to know if it’s still there," he wrote on X this week.
Bessent claimed “We do an audit every year,” seemingly dispelling a widely held belief that the last audit of the gold in Fort Knox occurred in 1974. The trade is going to want some detail on those alleged annual audits.
Bessent did not address concerns that there are lease claims on those reserves.
Today's overseas high at $2,954.53 now defines an intervening barrier ahead of the targeted $3,000 level. Beyond that, the next Fibonacci level comes in at $3,037.94.
The intraday low from early U.S. trading at $2,927.49 marks first support and protects yesterday's low at $2,919.83. Tuesday's low at $2,894.21 stands in front of more significant support at $2,880.05/$2,878.68.
Silver continues to struggle on upticks above $33, leaving the fifteen-week high set last week at $33.340 protected. More record highs in gold and a soft dollar are providing support, but global trade and growth concerns continue to pose a headwind.
A close above $33 would bolster confidence in the bullish scenario, favoring a breach of chart/Fibonacci resistance at $33.340/$33.554. Such a move would return focus to last year's high at $34.853.
An intraday chart point at $32.869 protects the low for the day at $32.651. A retreat below $32 from here would be troubling for the bull camp.
Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com
Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.