Gold Steady as Investors Assess China's Stimulus Plans

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 Steady as Investors Assess China's Stimulus Plans

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 held steady on Monday as investors assessed China's weekend stimulus announcement, while also focusing on US Federal Reserve officials' comments for further rate cut cues.
Spot gold was little changed at $2,657.93 per ounce by 0548 GMT. Bullion rose nearly 1% in the previous session, Reuters said.
US gold futures were flat at $2,675.00.
The potential commitment to fiscal stimulus from China suggests a healthier economy, which bodes well for gold demand but the market needs to see more concrete measures, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
China on Saturday said it would "significantly increase" debt to revive its sputtering economy, but left investors guessing on the overall size of the stimulus package.
Investors will watch out for comments from Fed officials this week for more hints on the upcoming rate cuts, along with US retail sales data.
"If the Fed speakers this week create some further doubt over how many rate cuts could occur between now and year-end, any resulting upside in the dollar could see gold support levels around $2,600 again being tested," Waterer said.
Data on Friday showed unchanged US producer prices last month, cementing the case for quarter-point US interest-rate cuts at upcoming Fed policy meetings.
Traders see a roughly 89% chance of the Fed cutting rates by 25 basis points at its November meeting, and an 11% chance of it leaving rates unchanged.
The zero-yielding bullion is preferred in a low-interest rate environment.
The dollar index rose 0.1%, putting pressure on greenback priced-metals. A stronger dollar makes them less attractive to other currency holders.
Spot silver fell 0.4% to $31.39 per ounce and platinum shed 1% to $974.88. Both were set to snap a two-session winning streak.
Palladium extended its decline, falling 0.9% to $1,058.98.



Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions
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Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday reversing earlier declines, as fears of tighter Russian and Iranian supply due to escalating Western sanctions lent support.

Brent futures were up 61 cents, or 0.80%, to $76.91 a barrel at 1119 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 46 cents, or 0.63%, to $74.02.

It seems market participants have started to price in some small supply disruption risks on Iranian crude exports to China, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

In China, Shandong Port Group issued a notice on Monday banning US sanctioned oil vessels from its network of ports, according to three traders, potentially restricting blacklisted vessels from major energy terminals on China's east coast.

Shandong Port Group oversees major ports on China's east coast, including Qingdao, Rizhao and Yantai, which are major terminals for importing sanctioned oil.

Meanwhile, cold weather in the US and Europe has boosted heating oil demand, providing further support for prices.

However, oil price gains were capped by global economic data.

Euro zone inflation

accelerated

in December, an unwelcome but anticipated blip that is unlikely to derail further interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank.

"Higher inflation in Germany raised suggestions that the ECB may not be able to cut rates as fast as hoped across the Eurozone, while US manufactured good orders fell in November," Ashley Kelty, an analyst at Panmure Liberum said.

Technical indicators for oil futures are now in overbought territory, and sellers are keen to step in once again to take advantage of the strength, tempering additional price advances, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of research at Onyx Capital Group.

Market participants are waiting for more data this week, such as the US December non-farm payrolls report on Friday, for clues on US interest rate policy and the oil demand outlook.