Gold dips to two-week low as dollar holds more allure
Gold fell to a more than two-week low on Monday as investors preferred the safety of the dollar, with the currency underpinned by robust economic reports out of the United States, even as geopolitical risks and trade tensions persist.
Spot gold was down 0.2 percent at $1,274.51 an ounce at 1025 GMT, having touched $1,273.22 for its lowest since May 3. US gold futures edged 0.1 percent down at $1,274.50.
“Trend is bearish for gold. Money is going into equities and the dollar as well. Dollar remains a primary investment and, despite the fall in equities, there is no fear of a further fall, and that’s also attracting investments,” said Jigar Trivedi, a commodities analyst at Mumbai-based Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers.
The dollar index firmed near a two-week high, extending gains after strong US housing data and a report pointing to lower unemployment helped the US currency to mark its biggest weekly rise last week since early March.
Renewed US-China trade fears have also helped the dollar to mimic its trajectory from last year, when it was preferred to gold as a perceived safe-haven asset.
Adding to the trade worries between the United States and China, Google confirmed a Reuters report stating that it had suspended some business with Chinese tech giant Huawei.
In the Middle East, Iran was served a new warning by US President Donald Trump, who tweeted that if the country wanted to fight, that would be Iran’s “official end”.
But Trivedi noted that investment demand for gold has failed to pick up. “Even with geopolitical tensions, no safe-haven demand has emerged,” he said.
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