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Gold Recoups from 2-week Low as Traders Eye US Inflation Data

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
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Gold Recoups from 2-week Low as Traders Eye US Inflation Data

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk

Gold prices drifted higher on Monday from a two-week low hit in the previous session as traders gauged fading hopes of US interest rate cuts ahead of a key inflation report due later this week.
Spot gold was up 0.4% at $2,342.73 per ounce, as of 0543 GMT, having touched its lowest since May 9 at $2,325.19 on Friday. US gold futures also climbed 0.4% to $2,343.60, Reuters reported.
Bullion hit a record high of $2,449.89 earlier last week, but has shed more than $100 since then.
"I suspect gold can manage a small bounce from current levels before retesting the $2,280-$2,300 zone, which could see losses extended if US data continues to outperform," said City Index senior analyst Matt Simpson.
The core personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE), the preferred inflation measure for the US Federal Reserve, is due on Friday.
Bullion is known as an inflation hedge, but higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold.
"With bullish fingers being burned at the highs and forcing some to liquidate and others to switch to the bear-camp, I doubt we'll see a new high soon with the Fed maintaining their 'higher-for-longer' narrative with interest rates," City Index's Simpson said.
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's meeting published last week showed the central bank's path to 2% inflation could take longer than expected.
Traders' bets indicated rising skepticism that the Fed will lower rates more than once in 2024, currently pricing in about a 62% chance of a rate cut by November according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
According to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao, spot gold may test resistance at $2,352 per ounce, a break above could open the way towards $2,363.
Gold demand in India slightly improved last week after prices corrected from a record high, but retail purchases remained lower than normal, prompting dealers to widen discounts.
Spot silver rose 1.6% to $30.83, platinum climbed 1.4% to $1,040.25 and palladium gained 1.4% to $976.72.

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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.