(Kitco News, Wed. Sep. 16th, 2020) – Gold and silver prices are modestly up in early U.S. trading Wednesday. The key “outside markets” are again in a bullish daily posture for the precious metals markets at midweek. The U.S. dollar index is lower and crude oil prices are higher. Crude oil has made a good rebound from its recent losses, which gives the raw commodity bulls, including the metals bulls, better confidence their markets can sustain some price uptrends. October gold futures were last up $6.50 at $1,964.50 and December Comex silver was last up $0.076 at $27.545 an ounce.
Global stock markets were again mostly up overnight. U.S. stock indexes are set for higher openings when the New York day session begins. Trader and investor risk appetite remains keener at mid-week as global stock markets have generally rebounded from selling pressure that began the month of September. Gold and silver market bulls are impressed their safe-haven metals are showing resilience amid the upbeat attitudes.
In focus today, the U.S. Federal Reserve concludes its two-day monetary policy meeting this afternoon with a statement and press conference from Fed Chairman Jay Powell. The Fed’s post-FOMC meeting statement and Powell’s remarks will be closely scrutinized for more clarity on the Fed’s shift to an easing of its inflation guidelines. The Bank of England and Bank of Japan also have monetary policy meetings this week.
In overnight news the OECD think tank projected the global economy to contract by 4.5% in 2020, which is a bit better than its June forecast of 6.0% contraction. The OECD also said the world economy could grow by 7.0% in 2021, provided Covid restrictions are lifted and an effective vaccine is found.
The important outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index lower again. Nymex crude oil prices are higher and trading around $39.25. The yield on the U.S. Treasury 10-year note is trading around 0.68% today.
U.S. economic data due for release Wednesday includes the weekly MBA mortgage applications survey, retail sales, the NAHB housing market index, manufacturing and trade inventories, the weekly DOE liquid energy stocks report and Treasury international capital data.