NEW YORK: Gold prices hit more than a one-week high on Wednesday following reports that the US and Iran may be nearing a peace deal, cooling fears of higher inflation and an extended period of elevated interest rates.
Spot gold was up 2.7percent to USD 4,678.95 per ounce by 8:50 a.m. EDT (1250 GMT), after hitting its highest level since April 27 earlier in the session. US gold futures rose 2.7percent to USD4,690.20. The US dollar index fell 0.5 percent, making greenback-priced metals more affordable for other currency holders.
“The optimism about a final deal between the US and Iran has caused at least some short-term relief in gold, with lower oil prices, moderated inflation concerns, and shifted biases with regards to Fed actions later in the year,” said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals. “I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily completely out of the woods. The market is going to continue to pivot on Middle East headlines.”
Washington and Tehran are closing in on an agreement on a one-page memorandum to end the war in the Gulf, a source from mediator Pakistan and another source briefed on the mediation said.
Reports of the possible agreement caused global oil prices to plunge, with benchmark Brent crude futures falling to around USD100 a barrel. Higher oil prices create inflation concerns and could prompt central banks to keep rates high to fight price pressures. Gold, despite being a hedge against inflation, tends to suffer in a high-rate environment, as it yields no interest.
Investors are turning their focus to the release on Friday of the monthly US employment report, which will serve as a test of whether the US economy remains resilient enough to keep the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy on hold, or whether a softening labour market could revive the case for rate cuts.
The ADP National Employment Report showed US private payrolls increased more than expected in April. Among other metals, spot silver rose 5.5percent to USD76.81 per ounce, platinum gained 3.5percent to USD2,020.50 and palladium added 3.9percent to USD1,543.76.
Comments