GOLD & CRUDE OIL TALKING POINTS:
- Gold prices[1] bounce from key support amid US Dollar[2] pullback
- Crude oil price rise restrained on Saudi oil minister comments
- Commodities may consolidate amid lull in top-tier news flow
Gold prices traded higher as the US Dollar pulled back from a four-month high against its major counterparts, boosting the relative appeal of anti-fiat and non-interest-bearing assets epitomized by the yellow metal. April’s slightly disappointing US CPI data offered the move acceleration. It put the core inflation rate at 2.1 percent, short of analysts’ expectations.
Crude oil prices were restrained however after Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih pledged market stability after the US withdrawal from a nuclear disarmament deal with Iran, which is likely to bring the re-imposition of sanctions. To that end, Al-Falih said he is in close contact with officials from OPEC, Russia and the US as well as other major producers and consumers.
FUTURES POSITIONING, RIG COUNT DATA DUE
Looking ahead, a dull offering on the economic calendar leaves commodities without a readily identifiable catalyst. Futures speculative positioning data from the ICE and CFTC as well as Baker Hughes rig count figures are on tap, but they are rarely market-moving. S&P 500[3] futures also point to a neutral risk appetite setting. On balance, this hints at consolidation through the week-end.
See our quarterly gold price forecast[4] to learn what will drive the trend through mid-year!
GOLD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Gold prices are attempting to carve out a bottom after testing rising trend support set from December 2016. From here, a push through minor barriers in the
