Last Digest
Last Digest
Down
Explanation
There has been an increase in retail sales in October in the United States,
which led to an increase in the yield of treasury and stronger US dollar.
Also, despite global slowdown, the S&P 500 rallied 9.5 percent after a sixmonth low in October, and it has exceeded the expected corporate
earnings and economic data. Because of this, confidence in the U.S.
economy boosted. All of these resulted to a strengthened dollar, which
decreases the demand for gold as it is now more expensive to buy, and at
the same time, booming economy lowers demand for safe-haven
assets--effectively decreasing the price of the gold.
Summary:
Oil prices slumped resulting to golds decreased demand as an inflation hedge. Also, the
continued outflow from gold backed exchange traded funds (ETF) signifies further possible
inclined losses of gold. The 4 percent drop in oil prices is revealed by government data that US
crude build up rose at the delivery point for crude futures. Oil prices plummeted about 30
percent since Brent Crude hit a June high above $115 on fears of an oil oversupply.
Effect on Gold Price over Evaluation Period:
Direction
Down
Explanation
Oil having a strong correlation with gold, has been a good tool in
predicting gold prices. With the slumping price of oil, it has decreased
golds appeal as an inflation hedge. Prices of oil partly account for
inflation, thus, the fall of the latter means that there is a lower demand for
gold as a safe haven. This is also supported by outflow from gold backed
exchange traded funds (ETF). Thus, with the strong correlation of oil and
gold prices, reduced prices of oil bring the price of gold to go down.
Down
Explanation
With the 1.95B euros in crisis loans to be repaid to ECB on Nov 19,
money supply in Europe will decrease. As a result of this contraction
in money supply, deflation is expected to occur that may cause
depreciation in euros value. Since euro is negatively correlated to
dollars, its depreciation will imply dollars appreciation. Given that
gold is denominated in dollars, the currencys appreciation will make
gold more expensive than before, making the demand for it to
decline. In effect, the commoditys price will be pushed downwards.
Overall Position
Forecast over the evaluation period: Down
Given our preceding analysis, we expect gold prices to go down. The strengthening of the US
dollar, the slump in oil prices, and the contraction in Europes money supply are the major
factors that drive the gold prices down. The increase in retail sales led to increase in treasury
yield. The bright outlook on the US economy and the depreciation of the Euro strengthened the
dollar. Likewise, the drop in oil prices further pushes the prices to decrease.