Gold Steadies as Traders Track Iran Talk Prospects, US Midterms
Gold held a decline as traders tracked diplomacy efforts in the Middle East and the outcome of US midterm elections for clues on the path for interest rates and American fiscal policy.
Gold steadied as traders monitored potential diplomatic progress between Iran and the United States, along with the outcome of the US midterm elections, in order to gauge the direction of interest rates and American fiscal policy. The precious metal was trading around US$3,930 per ounce, following a slight dip the previous day after surging nearly 2% on November 2.
The fluctuating price of gold has been influenced by conflicting information regarding the status of US-Iran negotiations, making it challenging to accurately assess the effect of energy prices on inflation. Oil prices have also been volatile, oscillating within a range of approximately US$5 per barrel since November 3. Diplomatic discussions are underway between Tehran and Washington to address the ongoing disagreements and potentially avert a return to full-scale conflict, following limited US airstrikes on the Iranian island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz the night of November 2.
Energy price volatility had driven crude prices higher throughout October, but reversed course this week as the White House showed willingness to grant additional time for a diplomatic resolution. Crude and gold prices have generally moved in opposite directions in recent weeks, with higher energy prices signaling a potential shift towards tighter monetary policy – an adverse development for the non-yielding metal.
The precious metal experienced a nearly 7% decline in October, dipping below the US$4,000 per ounce level at the month's end when a decline in artificial intelligence prompted investors to sell off gold holdings to offset losses in other investments. Since the escalation of the US-Iran conflict in late February, gold has fallen about 25%, reflecting the impact of increasing inflation and tighter monetary policy.
Americans will be voting in midterm elections that could determine which party will control the House and Senate, a result that could shape the US fiscal policy outlook and indirectly affect gold prices. Spot gold was up 0.2% at US$3,938.47 per ounce at 8:17 am Singapore time, while silver remained unchanged at US$49.81. Platinum and palladium also saw a slight increase.
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index, a measure of the US dollar, fell 0.1% after rising 0.3% in the prior session.
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- Gold steadies as traders track Iran talk prospects, US midterms straitstimes.com
