Gold’s less than impressive behavior continued during a week where it failed to find a bid despite raised Omicron concerns sending Treasury yields lower and, at least temporarily, the dollar lower as well. Adding to this, an unfolding destruction of value across many so-called and up until recently very popular bubble stock names (highlighted in one of our daily podcasts here), the exodus out of these also failed to attract any safe-haven demand for investment metals.
Instead, it slumped to a one-month low at $1762, less than three weeks after its failed upside break to $1877. It highlights a market which during the past five months has seen plenty of failed breakout attempts in both directions, with the end result being a noisy, but rangebound, market struggling for direction. What could change that in the short term remains unclear with the metal on one hand finding support from persistently low real yields and raised virus uncertainties, and on the other struggling with the potential for a more aggressive inflation fighting stance from the US Federal Reserve.
Following the renomination, both Powell and Brainard, the new vice-chair, have come out showing a clear change in focus. Powell, among other comments, has said: “We know that high inflation takes a toll on families, especially those less able to meet the higher costs of essentials like food, housing, and transportation. We will use our tools both to support the economy and a strong labor market, and to prevent higher inflation from becoming entrenched”.
As mentioned, the current technical picture looks very messy with resistance now established at $1792 which coincides with the average price seen these past five months, while the nearest area of support can be found around $1760 followed by $1720.