Gold jumps 1% as US dollar slides on stimulus bets
[BENGALURU] Gold climbed more than 1 per cent on Friday as the US dollar retreated to a near three-week low and increased bets for fresh US stimulus pushed investors to bullion as a hedge against likely inflation.
Spot gold rose 1.5 per cent to US$1,920.92 per ounce by 1.31pm EDT (1731 GMT), en route to a second straight weekly gain, of about 1.2 per cent. US gold futures settled up 1.6 per cent at US$1,926.20.
"It seems like a lot of optimism is being built around it (US stimulus)" and "that's really at the forefront" of gold's move, said Eli Tesfaye, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.
A further drop in the US dollar could add more fuel, and given the strong technical momentum, bullion could soon hit highs seen in August, Mr Tesfaye added.
After stalling talks with Democrats on a comprehensive aid package earlier this week, US President Donald Trump called for a "skinny" relief bill that would include a bailout of the struggling airline sector.
Additionally, a widening lead for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has raised the prospect of further stimulus, adding to gold's allure.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
The US dollar meanwhile slid as expectations grew for a Biden win, making gold cheaper for those holding other currencies.
"In fact, the long gold trade is likely agnostic to the election outcome," TD Securities analysts said in a note.
"Barring a split government outcome, both administrations are likely to push through a large-scale fiscal deal in no time that would help de-bottleneck the real rate suppression, lifting precious metals in the process."
Near-zero interest rates and unprecedented money printing by central banks to ease the economic blow from the coronavirus pandemic have driven a 26 per cent rally for gold this year.
Silver jumped 4.4 per cent to US$24.87 per ounce and is up about 5 per cent so far this week. Platinum rose 2.6 per cent to US$884.28 and palladium climbed 2.9 per cent to US$2,440.68 per ounce.
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Energy & Commodities
India's Vedanta misses Q4 profit estimates on lower prices
BHP targets Anglo American in bid valuing miner at US$39 billion
China's Sinopec charts global expansion with refinery in rival India's backyard
Gold trades in tight range as market focuses on US economic data
Oil settles lower as US business activity cools, concerns over Middle East ease
Orsted says Taiwan wind project to power TSMC on track for 2025 finish