Gold prices extended their recent gains on Thursday to hit fresh all-time highs of over $2,160 an ounce.
Prices notched up a high of $2,164 an ounce on Thursday, compared with around $2,148 an ounce in late deals Wednesday.
Several bullish factors have combined to propel gold prices to record highs in recent days. In particular, weaker economic data from the US has prompted traders to up their bets on an interest rate cut in June. Data from interest rate traders now indicate a probability of just over 70% for the US Fed to start cutting rates at its June 12th meeting, of which most expect a 25 basis-point cut and a minority gunning for a 50 basis-point cut.
Any lowering of interest rates reduces the appeal of holding cash or government bonds, and boosts interest in non-yielding assets like precious metals.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell was quoted on Wednesday saying the central bank needs more evidence that inflation is easing before going ahead with interest rate cuts, although he also signalled that rates have likely reached their peak at the current 5.25-5.5%, in comments to a congressional hearing.
The market’s expectations on monetary policy have also coincided with a period of strong central bank buying of gold in recent months, which has been further augmented by a risk premium due to geopolitical instability and the risks this poses to commerce and financial markets.
Looking ahead, the markets will be watching out for monthly US non-farm payrolls figures on Friday as well as the unemployment rate for February for a further health check on the state of the US economy.
Frank’s experience covering the commodities markets spans 22 years, with a particular specialism in metals, carbon and energy markets. He has worked as a senior editor for S&P Global Commodity Insights (formerly Platts) and before this, at ICIS-LOR, a part of Reed Business Information (Reed Elsevier), where he covered the petrochemicals markets from 2003 to 2005.
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