Gold Prices Climb as Investors Focus on US Economic Data

Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Gold Prices Climb as Investors Focus on US Economic Data

Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices inched higher on Wednesday, with investors awaiting US economic data that could influence the Federal Reserve's rate-cut timeline.
Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,416.62 per ounce, as of 0402 GMT. US gold futures gained 0.4% to $2,417.10, Reuters reported.
Investors expect key US data releases this week, including the second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) reading on Thursday and the June personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index number on Friday, to offer more cues about the rate-cut timeline.
"If either the GDP or core PCE figures produce an upside beat, this could provide a stumbling block for gold in the short term on dollar strength," said Tim Waterer, KCM Trade's chief market analyst.
But "the near-term outlook for gold remains constructive from a fundamental point of view, given that the Fed appears to be on the doorstep of a rate cut."
The Fed will cut interest rates just twice this year, in September and December, as resilient US consumer demand warrants a cautious approach despite easing inflation, according to a growing majority of economists in a Reuters poll.
Bullion prices scaled an all-time high of $2,483.60 last week amid rising bets of rate cuts. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold.
Spot gold may break resistance at $2,417 and bounce further to $2,432, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.
Meanwhile, India slashed import duties on gold and silver to 6% from 15%, which ANZ said should support jewelry manufacturing in the world's second-biggest consumer of bullion and add to an already favorable backdrop for demand.
Spot silver rose 0.2% to $29.28 per ounce.
"Growth estimates in photovoltaic panel usage have been markedly revised higher, resulting in silver demand draws far exceeding supply. A price squeeze within a few years is becoming more likely," Sprott Asset Management said in a report.
Platinum firmed 0.3% to $945.73 and palladium steadied at $925.64.

 



Saudi Arabia Inks Mining Agreements with Several Govts at Fourth Future Minerals Forum

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signed a series of MoUs and cooperation agreements with six countries during the fourth Ministerial Roundtable, the flagship opening meeting of the Future Minerals Forum. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signed a series of MoUs and cooperation agreements with six countries during the fourth Ministerial Roundtable, the flagship opening meeting of the Future Minerals Forum. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Inks Mining Agreements with Several Govts at Fourth Future Minerals Forum

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signed a series of MoUs and cooperation agreements with six countries during the fourth Ministerial Roundtable, the flagship opening meeting of the Future Minerals Forum. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signed a series of MoUs and cooperation agreements with six countries during the fourth Ministerial Roundtable, the flagship opening meeting of the Future Minerals Forum. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signed on Tuesday a series of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements with six countries during the fourth Ministerial Roundtable, the flagship opening meeting of the Future Minerals Forum.

The meeting marked a significant step in advancing international partnerships and fostering the development of the Kingdom's mining and minerals sector.

The agreements were signed by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, and Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer.

The counterpart signatories included the minister of energy and natural resources from Djibouti, the minister of energy and mineral resources from Jordan, the secretary of state for business and trade from the United Kingdom, and the minister of mines and mineral development from Zambia.

Additional agreements were signed with the Ministry of Finance of Austria and the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France.