Gold reverses early gains as US Dollar rebounds, Oil prices rise
LONDON (September 8) Gold (XAU/USD) struggles to hold early gains and reverses course on Tuesday as a modest rebound in the US Dollar (USD) and rising Oil prices weigh on the precious metal. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades around $4,400 after reaching an intraday high near $4,443.
Tensions in the Middle East intensified after Iran-backed Houthis attacked energy facilities in four southern Saudi cities earlier on Tuesday. The escalation comes after the United States attacked Iranian vessels and Tehran targeted US warships and Oil tankers over the weekend.
Oil prices extend their advance, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading around $91.80 per barrel after reaching $92.48, its highest level since June 8.
The latest hostilities also helped the US Dollar recover some ground after its recent weakness, which was largely driven by a sharp rally in the Japanese Yen (JPY). The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against a basket of six major currencies, trades around 98.97 after recovering from 98.72, its lowest level since August 21.
Gold’s near-term outlook remains challenging. The metal is widely viewed as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical tensions, but traders are paying greater attention to how higher Oil prices could affect inflation and interest rates. Gold offers no yield and usually performs better when borrowing costs are low.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) has not raised interest rates so far this year, but policymakers have repeatedly expressed concern about inflation staying above the central bank’s 2% target for too long. Friday’s stronger-than-expected US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report eased worries about the labour market and gives the Fed more room to keep its focus on inflation.
Attention therefore turns to the Fed’s September 15-16 meeting, with the CME FedWatch Tool showing around a 60% probability of a 25-basis-point (bps) rate hike. The decision is likely to hinge on this week’s US inflation data.
The US Producer Price Index (PPI) is due on Thursday, followed by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Friday. Hotter readings could strengthen the case for a rate hike, while softer figures could ease expectations for higher borrowing costs and offer some relief to Gold. The US economic calendar is relatively light on Tuesday, with only the ADP Employment Change 4-week average scheduled for release.
FXStreet
