Gold retreats as dollar recovers; eyes on US Senate elections

Gold retreats as dollar recovers; eyes on US Senate elections
Reuters
Share
Font Size
Save
Comment
Synopsis

​​Spot gold was down 0.8% at $1,934.72 per ounce at 10:42 a.m. EST (1542 GMT), having earlier hit a near two-month peak at $1,959.01. U.S. gold futures dipped 1.5% to $1,925.30.

The dollar index recouped losses from a dive to 2-1/2-year lows, making gold less alluring for those holding other currencies.

Related

Commodity Summary

MCX
Gold fell over 1% on Wednesday, as the dollar recovered from earlier losses, while investors awaited the outcome of U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia, contests that could affect the prospects for more fiscal stimulus.

Spot gold was down 0.8% at $1,934.72 per ounce at 10:42 a.m. EST (1542 GMT), having earlier hit a near two-month peak at $1,959.01. U.S. gold futures dipped 1.5% to $1,925.30.

"We have seen a small bounce off the lows in the dollar, hence a very small pullback in gold off the highs," said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures. The pullback is a short-term move as a potential 'Blue Wave' in the U.S. Senate would be dollar negative and "supportive to gold and silver from a longer term perspective," Meger added.

The dollar index recouped losses from a dive to 2-1/2-year lows, making gold less alluring for those holding other currencies. Also weighing on bullion was the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, which rose above 1% for the first time since March, increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.

However, gold remains underpinned as an inflationary hedge, with investors expecting more fiscal stimulus as the Democrats lead in runoff votes that will determine control of the U.S. Senate.

"Whether (the policies) turn into (something) productive down the line remains to be seen, but clearly they're going to be adding considerable debt onto considerable debt, and that's good for gold," said Ross Norman, an independent analyst.

Meanwhile, minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's Dec. 15-16 policy meeting are due at 1900 GMT. In other metals, silver fell 2.4% to 26.92 an ounce. Platinum dipped 1.9% to $1,090.49, while palladium was down 1.8% at $2,422.60.

Read More News on

(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips and expert advice on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds.)

Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

Read before you invest. Insights on Dollar Industries Ltd.. Explore Now