Gold extends gains in longest rally since 2012, weak US data aids

Reuters Updated - January 24, 2018 at 10:26 PM.

Higher rates would boost the dollar, but hurt gold, a non-interest paying asset.

Gold extended gains to a seventh session on Thursday in its longest winning streak since 2012 as soft US data boosted expectations the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates low for the time being.

Spot gold rose 0.3 per cent to $1,199.30 an ounce by 0306 GMT. Earlier in the session, it hit $1,200.10, its highest since March 6.

The seventh day of gains matches a similar stretch in August 2012.

"There is some resistance at the $1,200 mark. If we see more weakness in the US dollar and some more weak data, gold could rally more," said a Hong Kong-based precious metals trader.

Other traders said gold's 100-day moving average near $1,209 was also a key level to watch.

The dollar eased against a basket of major currencies as disappointing US economic data added to Fed's dovish stance last week.

After its policy meet last week, the US central bank sounded caution over economic growth and the pace of any rate hikes.

Data on Wednesday showed US business investment spending plans fell for a sixth straight month in February, leading economists to further lower their first-quarter growth estimates.

Softer economic growth could prompt the Fed to delay raising interest rates, a move likely to hurt the dollar.

Markets expected US rates, currently near zero, to be increased from June, but last week's comments have led to many thinking that a rate increase would not come until September.

Higher rates would boost the dollar, but hurt gold, a non-interest paying asset. Safe-haven gold also drew support from geopolitical tensions.

Saudi Arabia launched air strikes in Yemen on Thursday in coalition with Gulf region allies to counter Iran-backed forces besieging the southern city of Aden, where the U.S.-supported Yemeni president had taken refuge.

US-led coalition warplanes launched their first airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Tikrit on Wednesday. Meanwhile, investors remained cautious over gold's outlook with SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, continuing to see outflows. The fund's holdings fell 0.2 per cent to 743.21 tonnes on Wednesday.

Physical demand was also slowing due to the rally in prices.

In China, the second biggest gold consumer, premiums - an indication of demand - eased to about $1-$2 an ounce, compared with $6-$7 last week.

Published on March 26, 2015 03:52