Gold range-bound as traders weigh Fed outlook, geopolitical risks
LONDON (February 16) Gold (XAU/USD) kicks off the week on a subdued note, extending its consolidation phase as traders remain reluctant to chase prices higher amid mixed macro signals. At the time of writing, XAU/USD is trading near $5,004, bouncing from an intraday low around $4,965, down roughly 0.55% on the day.
Inflation cools, labour market firms as traders price gradual easing
A modest uptick in the US Dollar (USD) is weighing on Bullion. Meanwhile, last week’s US economic releases trimmed expectations for an imminent Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cut, further capping upside attempts in Gold. That said, expectations for monetary policy easing in the second half of the year continue to offer underlying support to the non-yielding metal.
US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data came in softer than expected. Headline CPI rose 0.2% MoM in January, slowing from 0.3% in December. On an annual basis, inflation eased to 2.4% YoY from 2.7%.
Meanwhile, the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) increased by 130K, well above December’s revised 48K gain, while the Unemployment Rate edged down to 4.3% from 4.4%.
Taken together, the latest labour market and inflation data suggest the Fed’s dual mandate is moving in the right direction, with labour conditions stabilising and price pressure gradually moderating.
As a result, traders have increased their bets on more than 50 basis points (bps) of easing this year, with interest rate futures pricing in the first cut in June, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Elsewhere, persistent geopolitical tensions continue to underpin safe-haven demand for Gold, as US-Iran developments remain in focus. The BBC reported on Monday that Iran is willing to consider compromises to reach a nuclear agreement, provided Washington is open to discussing sanctions relief.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva for a high-stakes second round of nuclear talks, with negotiations set to resume on Tuesday.
Against this backdrop, Gold could remain range-bound in the near term, with heightened volatility across the precious metals space discouraging aggressive positioning. Thin liquidity trading conditions due to the US Presidents’ Day holiday are also likely to keep price action choppy on Monday.
Looking ahead this week, attention will turn to Wednesday’s release of the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) January meeting.
Focus will then shift to Friday’s US Personal Income and Spending report, which will include the latest reading on core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) — the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.
Markets will also assess the advance estimate of fourth-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for further clues on the timing of the next rate cut.
FXStreet
