In retrospect, the gold trade was unsure of the primary source of the massive April upside extension of the historic gold rally which began early last October.
While the trade remains vulnerable to additional stop-loss selling today from very large net spec and fund positioning, further extraction of war premium is also expected with the gold futures and options positioning (adjusted into the recent highs) likely at three year highs!
However, Bloomberg overnight carried a story suggesting a large portion of the gold rally was sparked by aggressive buying at the Shanghai futures exchange...[MORE]
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The capitulation in gold and silver extended overnight with what we think is mostly stop-loss selling from the massive net long built up from the $425 gold rally off the February low and the $7.50 rally in July silver.
However, ongoing liquidation of flight to quality longs from lower ME angst is certainly adding to the washout while typical outside market influences of the dollar and treasury yields have not been a noted influence and are unlikely to be a key impact today.
In retrospect, there was apparently more flight to quality longs in off the potential for a widespread Middle East war than expected and that should be remembered if conflict returns...[MORE]
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Good morning. The precious metals are lower in early U.S. trading.
U.S. calendar features S&P Global PMI - Manufacturing/Services - Flash, New Home Sales, Richmond Fed Index, M2.
The vibe in the Middle East seems to suggest that the "tit-for-tat" fighting between Israel and Iran will pause has obviously punctured bullish sentiment in gold and silver. Therefore, the focus of gold and silver is likely to shift back to action in the dollar and US treasury yields.
While silver ETF holdings continue to decline very rapidly, gold ETF holdings declines are less significant. Last week gold ETF holdings declined by 478,713 ounces, while silver ETF holdings declined by 22.8 million!
Even though we suspect the Chinese central bank will continue to add to reserves (following 17 straight months of purchases) we suspect lower prices will have only a marginal impact on the size of Chinese Central Bank purchases...[MORE]
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Good morning. The precious metals are lower in early U.S. trading.
U.S. calendar features Chicago Fed National Activity Index.
The big question for the gold trade now is will the tensions between Israel and Iran cool and temporarily end the potential for sudden massive geopolitical-inspired flight to quality buying?
While not a major bearish development gold and silver ETF holdings continue to decline with the declines in gold and silver ETF holdings very significant yesterday (Gold -218,995 ounces & Silver -6.3 ml ounces).
Even the technical picture has shifted in favor of the bear camp with the overnight spike-up move squarely rejected...[MORE]
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Despite a chorus of hawkish (less dovish) global central bank dialogue flowing from the IMF meeting, gold and silver prices are tracking higher perhaps because of slightly supportive outside market action in US treasuries and the dollar.
However, a new concern may be rising in the marketplace as significant declines in Japanese and South Korean currencies were acknowledged by the US Treasury Secretary at the IMF meeting with the US, Japan, and South Korean officials agreeing on the need to monitor and consult with other central banks on the situation.
Not surprisingly, the IMF dialogue has resulted in a downside extension in the US dollar this morning which could be the primary source of the gold and silver rebounds.
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