Hedge fund gold wagers slump to their lowest since 2007

[NEW YORK] Hedge funds are the least bullish on gold since 2007 as signs of faster US economic growth bolster the case for the Federal Reserve to trim stimulus and cut demand for haven assets.

The net-long position in gold fell 16 per cent to 26,774 futures and options in the week ended Dec 3, the lowest since June 2007, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show. Short bets rose 6.2 per cent to 79,631, within 0.6 per cent of the record reached in July. Net-bullish wagers across 18 US-traded commodities climbed to a four-week high.

The Standard & Poor's GSCI Spot Index of 24 raw materials capped the biggest weekly gain since August as faster economic growth boosted prospects for energy, metals and grains consumption.