Fundamental Forecast for Gold:Neutral
Gold prices advanced for a sixth consecutive week with the precious metal up more than 0.9% ahead of the New York close on Friday. Although bullion closed firmer on the week, prices were well off their highs after a strong U.S. Non-Farm payrolls report on Friday quelled fears of a slowdown in labor markets.
Some traders may be asking, ‘why is gold so strong in the face of rising equity prices and a stronger dollar?' The answer may not be clear cut, but the recent rise does suggest that although inflation indicators remains subdued, markets have continued seek an alternative to fiat currencies as the efficacy of monetary easing diminishes. With central banks around the world pushing policy into unchartered territory, investors may continue to seek the perceived safety of bullion amid the weakening outlook for global growth and rising geopolitical tensions.
Looking ahead to next week investors will be closely eyeing incoming U.S. economic data with June retail sales & the consumer price index (CPI) on tap. It's important to note that inflation remains the laggard of the Fed's dual mandate and as such, special emphasis will be put on the CPI figures next week and their possible impact on central bank policy. As is stands, Fed fund futures have priced out chances for a Fed rate hike until December of 2017- helping keep gold prices on proper footing.
Aside from the economic docket, traders will be lending a keen ear to a fresh batch of central bank rhetoric with Kansas City Fed President Esther George, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan, Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker and Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart slated for speeches next week. The release of the federal reserve's Beige book on Wednesday will also be of interest as we get the updated assessment on the Fed's twelve districts. Although the fundamental story for hasn't, the technicals point to a massive resistance confluence which could cap further advances near-term.
