Tags: dollar | gold | metals | bullion

Gold Falls as Dollar Soars, Heads for Fourth Week of Losses

Friday, 26 September 2014 01:54 PM EDT

Gold dropped on Friday as a dollar rally driven by encouraging U.S. economic growth dimmed bullion's investment appeal, sending the metal's prices toward a key support level at $1,200 an ounce.

The S&P 500 equities index climbed after data showed the U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years in the second quarter with all sectors contributing to the jump in output in a bullish signal for the remainder of the year.

Bullion is on track for a fourth consecutive weekly loss, its longest losing streak since April 2013, after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated it could raise interest rates sooner than expected earlier this month.

"People are going into the dollar today and that's the main driver weighing down on gold," said Michael Matousek, head trader at San Antonio-based U.S. Global Investors with about $1 billion in assets under management.

"Also, less monetary easing means less inflation and less opportunities for an immediate rally in gold," he said.

Spot gold was down 0.6 percent at $1,214.80 an ounce by 11:49 p.m. New York time.

The metal fell to a nine-month low of $1,206.85 on Thursday, before rebounding due to a sharp sell-off in U.S. equities, which prompted investors to seek refuge in perceived safer assets such as bullion.

U.S. COMEX gold futures for December delivery were down $6.80 to $1,215.10 an ounce.

The Commerce Department raised its estimate of gross domestic product to show the economy expanded at a 4.6 percent annual rate, in line with expectations and the best performance since the fourth quarter of 2011.

The dollar index against a basket of major currencies was up 0.5 percent, putting the U.S. unit on track for an 11th week of gains.

Technical selling could further pressure gold after spot's 50-day moving average fell below its 200-day moving average last week, a bearish formation known as a "death cross," for the first time since the end of May.

Bullion investors closely monitor the U.S. Treasuries market after Pimco Chief Investment Officer Bill Gross said he would be joining rival Janus Capital Group, which spurred concerns of investor withdrawals at the world's largest bond fund manager.

Among other precious metals, silver rose 0.3 percent to $17.52 an ounce.

Platinum fell 0.5 percent to $1,300.24 an ounce, having earlier hit its lowest since June 2013 at $1,295. Palladium was down 1.7 percent at $786.22 an ounce, having fallen to its lowest since late April at $783.

© 2024 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.


Markets
Gold dropped on Friday as a dollar rally driven by encouraging U.S. economic growth dimmed bullion's investment appeal, sending the metal's prices toward a key support level at $1,200 an ounce.
dollar, gold, metals, bullion
407
2014-54-26
Friday, 26 September 2014 01:54 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
Get Newsmax Text Alerts
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved