(Technical Analysis) Gold Futures Surge Past £2,700: A Historic Milestone in Precious Metals
In a landmark moment for the precious metals market, gold futures have surged to unprecedented levels, breaching the psychologically significant threshold of $2,700 per ounce.
On a pivotal trading day, the most active December contract for gold futures opened at $2,681.20 and, after some fluctuation, settled at $2,695.10, marking a notable gain of $13.80 or 0.51%. The intraday high of $2,708.70 per troy ounce underscores gold’s enduring appeal as a safe-haven asset. This remarkable price level highlights both gold’s intrinsic value and the growing lack of confidence in global fiat currencies.
The steady rise in gold prices can be attributed to a combination of factors, with recent interest rate decisions by central banks playing a key role. The Federal Reserve’s recent 50 basis point cut to its benchmark Fed funds rate, reducing it to a range between 4.75% and 5%, has been a major catalyst. This move, echoed by other central banks worldwide, has contributed to the precious metal’s rally.
Market sentiment indicates further rate cuts may be forthcoming. The CME FedWatch Tool shows a 51.1% likelihood of another 50-basis point cut at the Federal Reserve’s upcoming FOMC meeting on 7th November, with the remaining 48.9% favouring a 25-basis point reduction. The anticipation of continued monetary easing has enhanced gold’s attractiveness as a hedge against potential currency devaluation.
Investors are now keenly awaiting the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, a key inflation indicator closely watched by the Federal Reserve. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal predict a continued contraction in annual core inflation, with expectations of a decline to 2.2% in August from 2.5% in July. This trend would represent a notable deceleration from the 40-year high seen in June 2022, potentially strengthening the case for further rate cuts.
The Core PCE Price Index for August is expected to show a modest 0.2% increase month-on-month and a 2.7% rise year-on-year. These core figures, which exclude volatile food and energy prices, are particularly important as they represent the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation.
As gold continues its historic rise, market participants are closely observing these economic indicators and central bank policies. The performance of this precious metal reflects not only its traditional role as a store of value but also the intricate dynamics of global economic forces shaping today’s financial environment.