GOLD & CRUDE OIL TALKING POINTS:
- Gold prices[1] hit 1-year low after hawkish comments from Fed’s Powell
- Day 2 of Powell testimony, Fed Beige Book may sustain down move
- Crude oil prices[2] may extend drop if EIA inventory data echoes API print
Gold prices sank as hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell pushed the US Dollar[3] higher (as expected[4]), undermining the appeal of non-interest-bearing and anti-fiat assets. He argued that despite recent worries about trade tensions, the economy remains in good shape and the best path forward continues to be a gradual increase in interest rates.
Meanwhile, crude oil prices continued to edge lower following Monday’s sharp selloff. That move came amid reports that Saudi Arabia was planning to increase exports to Asia while speculation that President Trump might release some of the US’ strategic reserves continued.
The latest round of weakness comes after legislation allowing the US government to sue OPEC for “price-fixing” was introduced in the Senate. Separately, the weekly set of inventory flow figures from API showed stockpiles added 629k barrels last week.
DAY 2 OF POWELL TESTIMONY, FED BEIGE BOOK, EIA DATA DUE
Looking ahead, another day of testimony from Fed Chair Powell may keep gold tracking lower. Having appeared before the Senate yesterday, he will field questions from members of the House of Representatives today. An upbeat Fed Beige Book survey might amplify the move.
Elsewhere, the official set of inventory figures from EIA data is expected show an outflow of 3.5 million barrels last week. An outcome that registers closer to
