Throughout this week, many analysts predicted that gold could jump to $2,000 and even above. The yellow metal met expectations and reached the specified peaks. Now the primary task for the precious metal is to sustain its gains, experts believe.
Weak data on the US labor market has acted as a strong driving force behind gold’s rally. Recall that in February, the number of job openings in the US labor market (JOLTS) dropped to 9.93 million, the lowest level since May 2021. Notably, in January 2023, the figure was 10.56 million. According to analysts, the current data indicates a cooling labor market. Previously, Fed officials, including Chairman Jerome Powell, emphasized that the overheated US labor market hinders the regulator in their efforts to curb inflation. Therefore, the Federal Reserve is confidently moving towards its goal, specifically achieving a 2% inflation rate.
Experts estimate that the current JOLTS reports have reinforced market expectations of the Fed’s shift to a softer approach to monetary policy. Currently, the majority of analysts (almost 60%) expect the regulator to keep the key interest rate in a range of 4.75% – 5% per annum at the May meeting. At the same time, some experts anticipate a 25 basis-point rate hike.
After the JOLTS reports were released, the yellow metal broke through the level of $2,000 per troy ounce. On Tuesday evening, April 4, gold prices jumped from $1,990 to $2,020 within 20 minutes. Later, the precious metal stabilized at around $2,010, reaching the highest level since March 2022. On Wednesday, April 5, gold slightly appreciated, rising to $2,040 per troy ounce.
According to experts’ estimates, the precious metal added 2% amid a weaker greenback. As a result, the US dollar index, which measures the performance of the dollar against a basket of six currencies, fell by 0.55% to 101.58. However, despite a decline in the dollar and a rise in the precious metal, Commerzbank economists believe that gold may enter a correction and lose value. This is facilitated by a recent increase in oil prices, which worries market participants and increases the risk of another inflationary spiral.
Currently, the value of gold is being formed by “fears of the dollar as economic factors do not provide substantial support for the US currency,” David Lennox, an analyst at Fat Prophets, said. In addition, demand for the yellow metal as a safe-haven asset increased amid the recent banking crisis and geopolitical tensions.
Economists at Swiss investment bank UBS assume that gold will gain ground in the near future, proving its traditional “safe-haven” status in the current uncertain environment. Amid recent turmoil in the financial market, spot gold prices surpassed the $2,000 mark, reaching a 12-month high. The yellow metal gained momentum due to falling yields in the US, a weaker dollar, and increased risk appetite, experts estimated.
According to UBS forecasts, in the current situation, gold will reach the target mark of $2,100 per troy ounce in 2023. Previously, bank analysts expected the metal to achieve this height by the end of March 2024. However, things have changed, and the precious metal is now actively gaining value. This can be attributed to the global banking crisis. Against this background, gold prices soared to an all-time high, rising above $2,000 per troy ounce. A subsequent minor correction did not change investors’ views. Market participants remained bullish on the precious metal.
Another factor contributing to higher gold prices is increased demand from central banks seeking to diversify their investments. Notably, gold is a great choice for investors to hedge against potential financial risks amid possible monetary policy easing. Market players are currently pricing in such a scenario.
Many analysts believe that by the end of this year, the FOMC may move to lower interest rates. However, this step is not favorable to gold. A perfect driving force for gold would be a situation where the Fed and the ECB begin to cut rates earlier than anticipated, while inflation targets are not met. In this case, demand for gold as a safe-haven asset will increase sharply. However, there is an alternative scenario. It suggests that the precious metal will trim some of its early gains if higher oil prices raise concerns about another inflationary spiral and further interest rate hikes.
Among recent forecasts, there is an almost fantastic one. Some economists expect gold prices to reach $3,000 per troy ounce. They believe it is a matter of time as the financial system has faced serious shocks. Against this background, interest in safe-haven assets is growing, primarily in gold. After the metal overcomes the barrier of $2,000 per troy ounce, it will probably head toward a new high. This scenario is possible in the long run.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com
Throughout this week, many analysts predicted that gold could jump to $2,000 and even above. The yellow metal met expectations and reached the specified peaks. Now the primary task for the precious metal is to sustain its gains, experts believe.
Weak data on the US labor market has acted as a strong driving force behind gold’s rally. Recall that in February, the number of job openings in the US labor market (JOLTS) dropped to 9.93 million, the lowest level since May 2021. Notably, in January 2023, the figure was 10.56 million. According to analysts, the current data indicates a cooling labor market. Previously, Fed officials, including Chairman Jerome Powell, emphasized that the overheated US labor market hinders the regulator in their efforts to curb inflation. Therefore, the Federal Reserve is confidently moving towards its goal, specifically achieving a 2% inflation rate.
Experts estimate that the current JOLTS reports have reinforced market expectations of the Fed’s shift to a softer approach to monetary policy. Currently, the majority of analysts (almost 60%) expect the regulator to keep the key interest rate in a range of 4.75% – 5% per annum at the May meeting. At the same time, some experts anticipate a 25 basis-point rate hike.
After the JOLTS reports were released, the yellow metal broke through the level of $2,000 per troy ounce. On Tuesday evening, April 4, gold prices jumped from $1,990 to $2,020 within 20 minutes. Later, the precious metal stabilized at around $2,010, reaching the highest level since March 2022. On Wednesday, April 5, gold slightly appreciated, rising to $2,040 per troy ounce.
According to experts’ estimates, the precious metal added 2% amid a weaker greenback. As a result, the US dollar index, which measures the performance of the dollar against a basket of six currencies, fell by 0.55% to 101.58. However, despite a decline in the dollar and a rise in the precious metal, Commerzbank economists believe that gold may enter a correction and lose value. This is facilitated by a recent increase in oil prices, which worries market participants and increases the risk of another inflationary spiral.
Currently, the value of gold is being formed by “fears of the dollar as economic factors do not provide substantial support for the US currency,” David Lennox, an analyst at Fat Prophets, said. In addition, demand for the yellow metal as a safe-haven asset increased amid the recent banking crisis and geopolitical tensions.
Economists at Swiss investment bank UBS assume that gold will gain ground in the near future, proving its traditional “safe-haven” status in the current uncertain environment. Amid recent turmoil in the financial market, spot gold prices surpassed the $2,000 mark, reaching a 12-month high. The yellow metal gained momentum due to falling yields in the US, a weaker dollar, and increased risk appetite, experts estimated.
According to UBS forecasts, in the current situation, gold will reach the target mark of $2,100 per troy ounce in 2023. Previously, bank analysts expected the metal to achieve this height by the end of March 2024. However, things have changed, and the precious metal is now actively gaining value. This can be attributed to the global banking crisis. Against this background, gold prices soared to an all-time high, rising above $2,000 per troy ounce. A subsequent minor correction did not change investors’ views. Market participants remained bullish on the precious metal.
Another factor contributing to higher gold prices is increased demand from central banks seeking to diversify their investments. Notably, gold is a great choice for investors to hedge against potential financial risks amid possible monetary policy easing. Market players are currently pricing in such a scenario.
Many analysts believe that by the end of this year, the FOMC may move to lower interest rates. However, this step is not favorable to gold. A perfect driving force for gold would be a situation where the Fed and the ECB begin to cut rates earlier than anticipated, while inflation targets are not met. In this case, demand for gold as a safe-haven asset will increase sharply. However, there is an alternative scenario. It suggests that the precious metal will trim some of its early gains if higher oil prices raise concerns about another inflationary spiral and further interest rate hikes.
Among recent forecasts, there is an almost fantastic one. Some economists expect gold prices to reach $3,000 per troy ounce. They believe it is a matter of time as the financial system has faced serious shocks. Against this background, interest in safe-haven assets is growing, primarily in gold. After the metal overcomes the barrier of $2,000 per troy ounce, it will probably head toward a new high. This scenario is possible in the long run.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com
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