Gold, silver modestly up as Federal Reserve decision looms

(Kitco News, Wed. Sep. 21st, 2022) – Gold and silver prices are just modestly higher in early U.S. trading Wednesday morning, as heightened geopolitical concerns did prompted mild safe-haven demand. The marketplace is awaiting this afternoon’s FOMC statement and press conference from Fed Chairman Powell. October gold was last up $4.90 at $1,665.90 and December silver was up $0.267 at $19.455.

Risk aversion remains elevated at mid-week following news that Russian President Putin will partially mobilize more Russian troops to fight in his war with Ukraine, including implying in a speech that he could use nuclear weapons if Russia’s integrity is threatened. One analyst said the longer the war drags on and with Russia making little if any further progress, the more threatened Putin will become, which could prompt the dictator to take more drastic measures to ensure his own survival.

Global stock markets were mixed overnight, with Asian shares mostly down and European shares mostly up. U.S. stock indexes are firmer when the New York day session begins.

The Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting that began Tuesday morning ends this afternoon with a statement and press conference from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, including fresh “dot plots” on the U.S. economy. The FOMC is expected to raise the key U.S. Fed funds rate by 0.75% in the Fed’s effort to tamp down problematic price inflation. The Bank of England also holds its monetary policy meeting Thursday and is also expected to raise interest rates.

Copper’s price will more than double due to elevated demand and green technology – Rob McEwen

The key outside markets today see Nymex crude oil prices weaker and trading around $83.00 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is solidly higher and pushed to another 20-year high today. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is fetching 3.553%. The 2-year Treasury note yield is 3.99%.

Technically, October gold futures prices are still hovering near last week’s nearly 2.5-year low. The gold futures bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $1,700.00. Bears’ next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,600.00. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of $1,678.00 and then at $1,686.30. First support is seen at the September low of $1,651.90 and then at $1,635.00.

December silver futures bears have the firm overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls’ next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $21.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $18.00. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $19.77 and then at $20.00. Next support is seen at $19.00 and then at last week’s low of $18.77. Wyckoff’s Market Rating: 2.5.

December N.Y. copper closed down 425 points at 346.00 cents today. Prices closed near the session low today. The copper bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Copper bulls’ next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at the August high of 378.35 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at the July low of 315.55 cents. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of 355.80 cents and then at 360.00 cents. First support is seen at last week’s low of the September low of 354.40 cents and then at 350.00 cents.

Posted by:

Jack Dempsey, President

401 Gold Consultants LLC

jdemp2003@gmail.com