Gold & Silver Prices Down, But Off Daily Lows
New York (April 4) Gold and silver prices are modestly lower in midday trading Thursday, but have moved up from their daily lows that pushed both markets to more-than-three-month lows early on. An upbeat U.S. economic report released this morning bolstered the keener trader and investor risk appetite that is keeping safe-haven gold and silver markets under pressure. A higher U.S. dollar index today is also a bearish element for the precious metals markets. June gold futures were last down $3.20 an ounce at $1,292.10. May Comex silver was last down $0.042 at $15.06 an ounce.
Today’s weekly U.S. jobless claims report showed claims falling by 10,000, which now puts claims at the lowest level in 50 years. Gold and silver prices hit their daily lows following the report. The U.S. dollar index moved to its daily high on the news.
Traders and investors worldwide are still generally upbeat, due in part to optimism the U.S. and China will soon reach a trade deal. Reports said President Trump will today meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in Washington. He is part of the Chinese trade delegation in town. Reports say the U.S. and China are very close to a trade deal. The marketplace is wondering if Trump will today mention a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to seal the trade deal.
A European report out today said Italian economic growth for 2019 has been reduced from 1.0% to 0.1%. This could impact the European markets more significantly, given Italy’s already fragile financial system. If Italy’s financial/economic condition worsens it could prompt some safe-haven demand for gold.
Market watchers are looking ahead to the U.S. Labor Department’s employment report for March, which is due out Friday morning. It’s arguably the most important economic data point of the month. The key non-farm payrolls number in the report is forecast to be up 175,000 in March, with the unemployment rate expected to remain at 3.8%. Wednesday’s precursor report, the ADP national employment report for March, showed a gain of 129,000 jobs, which was a significant downside miss. The payrolls number was forecast to be up 173,000. This suggests Friday’s more important jobs report could also be a miss to the downside.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly higher. Meantime, Nymex crude oil prices are near steady and trading around $62.50 a barrel.
U.S. economic reports due for release Thursday include the weekly jobless claims report and the Challenger job-cuts report. There are also several Federal Reserve officials scheduled to give speeches today.
Technically, the gold bulls still have the overall near-term technical advantage but have faded recently and need to show fresh power soon. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close in June futures above solid resistance at the March high of $1,330.80. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at the March low of $1,287.50. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $1,297.90 and then at this week’s high of $1,301.70.
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