(Kitco News, Mon. Aug. 23rd, 2021) – Gold and silver prices are higher in early morning trading Monday, as the key outside markets are favoring the precious metals bulls to start the trading week—a weaker U.S. dollar index and solidly higher crude oil prices. The precious metals are also getting a bid early this week on growing ideas the Federal Reserve will not be able to start tightening its monetary policy as soon as many had reckoned just a few weeks ago. October gold futures were last up $10.00 at $1,791.80 and September Comex silver was last up $0.338 at $23.45 an ounce.
Global stock markets were mostly firmer overnight. The U.S. stock indexes are pointed to higher openings when the New York day session begins. The focus of the marketplace this week is on the annual Federal Reserve symposium held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The confab has been pared back a bit and parts of it will be virtual this year due to the spreading delta variant of the coronavirus. Early this week, traders and investors are reassessing recent notions the Federal Reserve will lean hawkish on U.S. monetary policy at the Fed symposium. The rapidly spreading Covid variant has many now thinking the Fed will have to wait longer to reel in its easy-money policies. Dallas Fed President Rob Kaplan said Friday he is rethinking his call for an early tapering process for the Fed’s bond purchases, due to the spreading virus and its potential impact on the U.S. economy.
It appears there is less risk aversion in the global marketplace to start the trading week. There is still a chaotic situation in now-Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, with people, including Americans, still try to get out of that country. However, it appears the markets are now looking past the matter. Veteran market watchers are well aware of what can be the historically turbulent months of September and October that lie just ahead for the stock and financial markets.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index weaker after hitting a 10.5-month high last Friday. Nymex crude oil futures prices are solidly higher and trading around $64.00 a barrel. Meantime, the yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury note is presently fetching 1.28%.
U.S. economic data due for release Monday includes the Chicago Fed national activity index, the U.S. flash and services PMIs, and existing home sales.
Technically, October gold futures bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage and have momentum on their side. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $1,800.00. Bears’ next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,700.00. First resistance is seen at last week’s high of $1,795.00 and then at $1,800.00. First support is seen at the overnight low of $1,775.90 and then at last week’s low of $1,769.80.
Posted by :
Jack Dempsey, President
401 Gold Consultants LLC
jdemp2003@gmail.com