Finance1 min read

Gold slips as strong US inflation data bolsters dollar, Fed hike expectations

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Bullion faced broad selling pressure after strong economic figures pushed traders to anticipate steeper borrowing costs from the Federal Reserve. Spot gold slid alongside silver and palladium as the greenback approached a one-month peak against major currency counterparts. According to the CME FedWatch tool, market participants are now fully pricing in a 100% probability of a policy rate increase this December. Meanwhile, international central bankers such as Bank of England policymaker Megan Greene pushed for continued proactive tightening to counter persistent domestic wage growth.

Key points

  • CME's FedWatch tool indicates traders have priced in a 100% certainty of a Federal Reserv…: CME's FedWatch tool indicates traders have priced in a 100% certainty of a Federal Reserve rate hike in December.
  • Surging yields and a strengthening dollar weaken gold's traditional appeal as a reliable…: Surging yields and a strengthening dollar weaken gold's traditional appeal as a reliable hedge against stubborn inflation.
  • Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei declared the country will stop enriched nuclear mate…: Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei declared the country will stop enriched nuclear material from leaving its borders.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

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FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold was down 0.2% at $3,979.09 per ounce by 0022 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery dropped 0.4% to $3,984.50.

* The dollar held near a one-month high against major peers in early Asian trading, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies.

* The odds of a half-percentage-point Fed rate hike next month surged after data showed US inflation accelerated more than expected in October and policymakers signalled a willingness to tighten policy more aggressively.

* Traders are pricing in a 100% probability of a rate increase in December, according to CME's FedWatch tool.

* Although gold is typically seen as an inflation hedge, higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion, reducing its appeal to investors.

* Iran will not allow a single particle of enriched nuclear material to leave the country and there will be consequences in the event of any new US strikes on the Islamic Republic, Iranian security chief…

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