Breaking: Gold surges and breaches $2,000/oz

FXStreet Team FXStreet

The price of gold has just hit $2,000 in fast markets at the open of the week.

The driver is oil and fears of global stagflation. Oil has surged 10% on Monday with the risk of the US and European ban on Russian products. There are also delays in Iranian talks. Brent was quoted $12.73 higher at $130.84, while US crude rose $9.92 to $125.60.

At the time of writing, it is being reported that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is exploring legislation that would ban Russian oil imports. This was a theme that roiled markets at the open. More on this here:

Secretary of State Blinken: US is “looking” at banning Russian oil and gas, but need permission from EU

Pelosi said last Thursday that she supports banning Russian oil imports to the US. Biden has been reluctant to curb Russian oil shipments to the US or slap on energy sanctions with prices already hitting the pockets of US citizens. However, the sanction has already been backed by wide numbers of Republicans and an increasing number of Democrats.

Commodity prices in general are having their strongest start to any year since 1915. Among the many movers last week, nickel rose 19%, aluminium 15%, zinc 12%, and copper 8%, while wheat futures surged 60% and corn 15%.

This makes this week's US Consumer Price Index a key event for markets whereby an annual growth at 7.9%, and the core measure at 6.4% is feared ahead of the European Central Bank meeting this week and the Federal Reserve next week. The divergence between the two banks is fuelling the bid for the greenback which is competing with the price of gold as they both take to the moon.

Author

FXStreet Team

FXStreet

EUR/USD keeps the rangebound trade near 1.1850

EUR/USD is still under pressure, drifting back towards the 1.1850 area as Monday’s session draws to a close. The modest decline in spot comes as the US Dollar picks up a bit of support, while thin liquidity and muted volatility, thanks to the US market holiday, are exaggerating price swings and keeping trading conditions choppy.

GBP/USD flirts with daily lows near 1.3630

GBP/USD has quickly given back Friday’s solid gains, turning lower at the start of the week and drifting back towards the 1.3630 area. The focus now shifts squarely to Tuesday’s UK labour market report, which is likely to keep the quid firmly in the spotlight and could set the tone for Cable’s next move.

Gold battle around $5,000 continues

Gold is giving back part of Friday’s sharp rebound, deflating below the key $5,000 mark per troy ounce as the new week gets underway. Modest gains in the US Dollar are keeping the metal in check, while thin trading conditions, due to the Presidents Day holiday in the US, are adding to the choppy and hesitant tone across markets.

AI Crypto Update: Bittensor eyes breakout as AI tokens falter

The artificial intelligence (AI) cryptocurrency segment is witnessing heightened volatility, with top tokens such as Near Protocol (NEAR) struggling to gain traction amid the persistent decline in January and February.

The week ahead: Key inflation readings and why the AI trade could be overdone

It is likely to be a quiet start to the week, with US markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day. European markets are higher across the board and gold is clinging to the $5,000 level after the tamer than expected CPI report in the US reduced haven flows to precious metals.

XRP steadies in narrow range as fund inflows, futures interest rise

Ripple is trading in a narrow range between $1.45 (immediate support) and $1.50 (resistance) at the time of writing on Monday. The remittance token extended its recovery last week, peaking at $1.67 on Sunday from the weekly open at $1.43.