- Gold price remains confined in a narrow range around the $1,930 level.
- The upbeat data could convince the Federal Reserve (Fed) to hike additional rates.
- The renewed tensions between the US-China might benefit gold, a traditional safe-haven asset.
- All eyes are on the US Nonfarm Payrolls, Unemployment Rate data due later in the day.
The gold price oscillates around $1,935 heading into the early European session on Friday. Market participants await the US Nonfarm Payrolls figure due later in the American session.
The top-tier data from the US on Thursday showed that the Initial Jobless Claims increased to 227,000 for the week ended July 29, matching market consensus. Meanwhile, the ISM Service PMI for July dropped to 52.7 from 53.9 prior and was worse than expected at 53. Unit Labor Costs from Q2 increased to 1.6%, lower than the 2.6% expected.
Gold traders will take cues from the US wage inflation and employment release on Friday. The stronger-than-expected report could convince the Federal Reserve (Fed) to hike additional rates for the entire year. This, in turn, benefits the Greenback and acts as a headwind for XAU/USD. It’s worth noting that gold is sensitive to rising interest rates as they raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
Furthermore, the US House committee said on Thursday that President Joe Biden needs to limit outbound US investment in China, particularly in key industries that might undermine national security. Biden may impose further outbound investment restrictions on China in the coming weeks, Reuters sources said. The escalating tensions between the US-China might exert some pressure on the US Dollar and benefit gold, a traditional safe-haven asset.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on the US Nonfarm Payrolls data due later in the day. The US economy is expected to have created 180,000 jobs in July. Also, the Unemployment Rate and Average Hourly Earnings will be released on Friday. The Unemployment Rate is expected to remain at 3.6%, and Average Hourly Earnings YoY are expected to increase by 4.2%. Market participants find trading opportunities around the gold price.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD retreats toward 1.0850 on modest USD recovery
EUR/USD stays under modest bearish pressure and trades in negative territory at around 1.0850 after closing modestly lower on Thursday. In the absence of macroeconomic data releases, investors will continue to pay close attention to comments from Federal Reserve officials.
GBP/USD holds above 1.2650 following earlier decline
GBP/USD edges higher after falling to a daily low below 1.2650 in the European session on Friday. The US Dollar holds its ground following the selloff seen after April inflation data and makes it difficult for the pair to extend its rebound. Fed policymakers are scheduled to speak later in the day.
Gold climbs to multi-week highs above $2,400
Gold gathered bullish momentum and touched its highest level in nearly a month above $2,400. Although the benchmark 10-year US yield holds steady at around 4.4%, the cautious market stance supports XAU/USD heading into the weekend.
Chainlink social dominance hits six-month peak as LINK extends gains
Chainlink (LINK) social dominance increased sharply on Friday, exceeding levels seen in the past six months, along with the token’s price rally that started on Wednesday.
Week ahead: Flash PMIs, UK and Japan CPIs in focus – RBNZ to hold rates
After cool US CPI, attention shifts to UK and Japanese inflation. Flash PMIs will be watched too amid signs of a rebound in Europe. Fed to stay in the spotlight as plethora of speakers, minutes on tap.