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Gold Rally Hits Pause ahead of US Inflation Data

Gold prices steadied near a three-month peak. Reuters
Gold prices steadied near a three-month peak. Reuters
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Gold Rally Hits Pause ahead of US Inflation Data

Gold prices steadied near a three-month peak. Reuters
Gold prices steadied near a three-month peak. Reuters

Gold prices took a breather from a record-breaking rally on Monday, which was fueled by a cooling US labor market and remarks from the Federal Reserve, with traders awaiting a US inflation report for fresh clues on the timing of rate cuts.
Spot gold was flat at $2,177.24 per ounce, as of 0602 GMT. US gold futures edged 0.1% lower to $2,183.90.
Gold set a record peak of $2,194.99 for the fourth straight day on Friday after data signaled a cooling US labor market.
"With large speculators having increased net-long exposure at their fastest weekly pace in 3.5 years last Tuesday, gold is clearly in demand and not a market to short for any length of time whilst traders expect Fed cuts," City Index senior analyst Matt Simpson said.
COMEX gold speculators raised their net long positions by 63,018 contracts to 131,060 in the week ended March 5, data showed on Friday.
Prices will simply consolidate at lofty levels heading into consumer price inflation (CPI) data for February, due on Tuesday, as that is likely the single biggest driver of gold prices this week, given that the Fed are now in a blackout period, Simpson said.
A cooler reading on the CPI print could help the case for an early rate cut, supporting gold prices. Fed Chair Powell sounded more confident about cutting rates in the coming months in his Congressional testimony last week.
Traders are currently pricing in three to four quarter-point (25 bps) US rate cuts, with a 75% chance for the first in June, as per LSEG's interest rate probability app.
Lower rates boost the appeal of non-yielding bullion.
Spot platinum edged 0.1% higher to $913.16 per ounce, while palladium was steady at $1,019.54, and silver was little moved at $24.30.

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Saudi Business Sector Achieves Trillions in Revenue Thanks to Government Incentives

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh (SPA)
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi Business Sector Achieves Trillions in Revenue Thanks to Government Incentives

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh (SPA)
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh (SPA)

Government incentives have played a pivotal role in enabling Saudi Arabia’s business sector to achieve operational revenues of SAR 5.3 trillion ($1.4 trillion), with operational expenditures reaching SAR 2.2 trillion ($586 billion).

According to the 2023 Comprehensive Economic Survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), employee compensation totaled SAR 544.7 billion ($145 billion), while total fixed capital formation amounted to SAR 867.8 billion ($231 billion).

Legal and commercial expert Dr. Osama Al-Obaidi explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the increase in operational revenues is largely due to government initiatives aimed at enhancing the private sector’s contribution to the national economy and GDP in line with Vision 2030. These efforts have driven innovation, localized technology, and established Saudi Arabia as a global investment destination while creating high-quality jobs that contribute significantly to wages and benefits.

Al-Obaidi emphasized that economic diversification under Vision 2030 has resulted in positive outcomes through incentives for investments in industry, mining, and strong construction activity. These efforts span residential, commercial, and investment projects while targeting key sectors like telecommunications, technology, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, transportation, and logistics, as part of the Kingdom’s strategy to become a global logistics hub.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s focus on localizing technology, promoting innovation, and fostering tourism and entertainment has driven the growth of national industries and the service sector while boosting employment rates, Al-Obaidi noted.

The government’s commitment to creating a competitive environment, increasing non-oil sector contributions, and providing incentives has strengthened the Kingdom’s ability to attract foreign investments and create new job opportunities. This, in turn, has enhanced operational revenues and improved efficiency, productivity, and quality across industries and services.

Gross Domestic Product Impact

Economist Ahmed Al-Jubeir told Asharq Al-Awsat that the government is offering comprehensive incentives to private sector players, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to capitalize on available initiatives and programs. These efforts are designed to promote business growth and help companies achieve their goals, ultimately benefiting Saudi GDP and the broader economy.

The initiatives and programs cover various private sector activities, providing low-interest loans and opportunities to participate in strategic and large-scale projects in health, tourism, real estate, and more. Specialized programs for construction and equipment sectors are also part of these efforts, Al-Jubeir added.

The latest data from the General Authority for Statistics confirms the government’s ongoing support for the private sector, which recorded operational revenues of approximately SAR 5.3 trillion last year.

Moreover, data indicates that the manufacturing sector contributed 30% of total operational revenues, followed by mining and quarrying at 21.8%, and wholesale and retail trade at 16%. Together, these sectors accounted for 67.8% of total revenues. Other sectors, including construction, finance and insurance, information and communications, and transportation and storage, contributed smaller shares.

Operational Expenditures

The report also revealed that manufacturing represented 41.5% of total operational expenditures, followed by wholesale and retail trade at 22.3% and construction at 7.6%. Collectively, these sectors accounted for 71.4% of operational expenditures, with other sectors like information and communications, mining and quarrying, and finance and insurance contributing the remaining shares.

Fixed Capital Formation

Total acquisitions of fixed assets reached SAR 1.5 trillion ($399.5 billion), while sales of these assets amounted to SAR 646.2 billion ($172 billion). Wholesale and retail trade had the highest contribution to total fixed capital formation at 22.6%, followed by manufacturing at 22.4%, mining and quarrying at 14.9%, and construction at 12.2%.

Other sectors, including information and communications, transportation and storage, and finance and insurance, contributed smaller shares.

According to GASTAT, total salaries and wages amounted to SAR 461.1 billion ($122.8 billion), representing 84.6% of total employee compensation. Meanwhile, benefits and allowances totaled SAR 83.6 billion ($22 billion), making up 15.4% of total compensation.