Gold Price Flat, GLD Shrinks as Chinese Traders Clock Off for Lunar New Year

GOLD PRICES held $5 lower for the week so far on Tuesday morning in London, trading at $1313 per ounce as world stock markets rose at the start of the Chinese New Year of the Pig.
 
Shares in Australia’s banking sector jumped after the Reserve Bank kept its key interest rate on hold at a record low of 1.5%.
 
Among gold-backed ETF products, the giant SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEArca: GLD) ended last night with its fastest 2-session outflow since early September, shrinking 1.3% from Thursday’s finish as gold prices shed 0.8% from that new 8-month high of $1323 per ounce.
 
While the gold price in Dollars has risen 10.5% since early October’s low, the GLD has expanded by 11.4%.
 
Chart of SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEArca: GLD) bullion backing. Source: ExchangeTradedGold
 
“With Chinese investors [on Monday] enjoying their first day of the lunar New Year holiday,” says today’s trading note from Swiss refiners and finance group MKS Pamp’s Asian desk, “volumes through both spot and Comex were noticeably light.
 
“Spec[ulative] traders who are happy to trim longs with China out for the next week.”
 
Despite the loss of wholesale demand from the world’s No.1 gold consumer nation however, gold prices have tended to perform well during China’s week-long Lunar New Year holidays.
 
Compared with gold’s average 5-session change across the last 10 years of 0.1%, the week starting Chinese New Year’s Eve has on average seen a 1.8% gain for gold priced in US Dollar terms, ranging between a 1.8% drop (2018) to a 5.0% rise (2016).
 
Eleven mints and refiners worldwide are today launching commemorative Chinese New Year of the Pig coins, reports the South China Morning Post, including the Central Bank of Taiwan – which began its zodiac series in 1993 – and Australia’s Perth Mint, which started its series in 1996.
 
“Despite escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Washington,” says the SCMP, “even the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing is getting in on the act…offering ‘Lucky Money’ red packs featuring an uncirculated US Dollar with ‘8888’ in its serial number.”
 
Forecasting a weaker US Dollar ahead, “The slowing…of the US economy, combined with Fed chair Jay Powell’s comments that he remains ‘patient’ have radically swung 2019 market pricing for the Fed Funds rate towards rate cuts,” says a note from analysts at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
 
But in gold, “investors will need to get more signals before getting more aggressive,” reckons Canadian brokerage TD Securities, because “despite the fact that the Fed has gone dovish, they could still hike one more time.”
 
“In my view,” says Loretta Mester, head of the Cleveland Fed and also a non-voting member like Kashkari until 2020, “monetary policy does not appear to be far behind or far ahead of the curve…The fed funds rate may need to move a bit higher than current levels.”
 
The UK gold price in Pounds per ounce meantime touched £1010 for the first time since Friday lunchtime as Sterling hit 2-week lows on the FX market.
 
Prime Minister Theresa May today met with politicians and business leaders in Northern Ireland to defend the “Irish backstop” part of her Brexit deal with the European Union, due to take effect 29 March but still lacking Parliamentary approval.
 
Euro gold prices today held in line with last week’s finish at €1150, the highest Friday close for single-currency bullion traders since April 2017.

Disclaimer

This publication is for education purposes only and should not be considered either general of personal advice. It does not consider any particular person’s investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Accordingly, no recommendation (expressed or implied) or other information contained in this report should be acted upon without the appropriateness of that information having regard to those factors. You should assess whether or not the information contained herein is appropriate to your individual financial circumstances and goals before making an investment decision, or seek the help the of a licensed financial adviser. Performance is historical, performance may vary, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. This report was produced in conjunction with ABC Bullion NSW.

Contact Us

Adelaide Store

Mezzanine Level
20 King William Street
Adelaide SA 5000
08 8223 2444
9:30am to 4:00pm (Mon. - Fri.)

Brisbane Store

Level 2
17-19 Mt. Gravatt-Capalaba Road
Upper Mt. Gravatt QLD 4122
07 3349 7965
10:00am to 4:00pm (Mon. - Fri.)