Gold has posted losses on Monday, continuing the downward movement we saw late last week. In the European session, the spot price stands at $1211.19. In the US, there are no major events to start off the week, but the markets will be keeping an eye on manufacturing numbers, with the release of the Empire State Manufacturing Index and Industrial Production. Both indicators are expected to improve, which could give the US dollar a boost.
The US ended the week with mixed news, as inflation dipped while consumer confidence jumped. The Producer Price Index, the primary gauge of manufacturing inflation, dropped by 0.2%, its worst showing in six months. The estimate stood at -0.1%. Meanwhile, UoM Consumer Sentiment moved higher for a fourth straight month, pointing to increased optimism among US consumers. The key indicator soared to 93.8 points, its highest level since January 2007 and well above the forecast of 89.6 points. On Friday, there was good news from retail sales and jobless claims. Core Retail Sales came in at 0.5%, ahead of the estimate of 0.1%. Not to be undone, Retail Sales posted a gain of 0.7%, beating the estimate of 0.4%. This was the indicator’s strongest showing in 12 months. There was more good news on the job front, as Unemployment Claims dipped to 294 thousand, below the forecast of 299 thousand.
The euro showed little response to the ECB’s second TLTRO (Targeted Long Term Refinancing Option) on Thursday. This lending program aims to bolster the economy by increasing bank lending to the real economy. The auction saw European banks take loans of about EUR 130 billion. Although this was higher than the September auction, which had a take-up of EUR 82 billion, the total of around 212 billion was only half of the ECB target of 400 billion. The disappointing figure means that the ECB remains under strong pressure to introduce QE early in 2015, which would likely push the euro to further lows. Meanwhile, the Eurozone continues to struggle with low inflation levels, with a senior ECB official warning of deflation dangers. Speaking in Washington on Tuesday, ECB board member Peter Praet said that falling oil prices could push Eurozone inflation into negative territory.
XAU/USD 1211.19 H: 1224.14 L: 1209.68
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities.
Opinions are the authors — not necessarily OANDA’s, its officers or directors. OANDA’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy apply. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD holds above 1.0700 ahead of US jobs report
EUR/USD stays in a consolidation phase above 1.0700 after closing the previous two days in positive territory. Investors eagerly await April jobs report from the US, which will include Nonfarm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate readings.
GBP/USD advances to 1.2550, all eyes on US NFP data
The GBP/USD pair trades on a stronger note around 1.2550 amid the softer US Dollar on Friday. Market participants refrain from taking large positions as focus shifts to April Nonfarm Payrolls and ISM Services PMI data from the US.
Gold remains stuck near $2,300 ahead of US NFP
Gold price struggles to gain any meaningful traction and trades in a tight channel near $2,300. The Fed’s less hawkish outlook drags the USD to a multi-week low and lends support to XAU/USD ahead of the key US NFP data.
XRP edges up after week-long decline as Ripple files letter in reply to SEC’s motion
Ripple filed a letter to the court to support its April 22 motion to strike new expert materials. The legal clash concerns whether SEC accountant Andrea Fox's testimony should be treated as a summary or expert witness.
US NFP Forecast: Nonfarm Payrolls gains expected to cool in April
The NFP report is expected to show that the US economy added 243,000 jobs last month, sharply lower than the 303,000 job creation seen in March. The Unemployment Rate is set to stay unchanged at 3.8% in the same period.