Gold And Copper Are Stable Despite Diminished Expectations For A Rate Hike

Gold prices steadied on Wednesday, but copper maintained its robust advances, as risky assets rose on forecasts that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates at a slower rate in the near future, which also limited dollar gains.

In recent weeks, a growing number of Fed officials have forecast that the central bank will likely raise interest rates by a modest 50 basis points in December (bps). This resulted in a rise in betting that U.S. inflation has peaked and that the central bank will eventually halt its rate of interest rate hikes.

This circumstance is positive for metal markets, which have been battered by rising interest rates this year. An improvement in economic conditions also increases the demand for industrial metals such as copper.

Spot gold increased to $1,740.66 per ounce at 18:53 E.T., while gold futures held constant at $1,741.25 per ounce (23:53 GMT).

In light of the fact that increasing interest rates have raised the opportunity cost of holding gold this year, the possibility of slower rate increases gives some short-term solace for gold. There is a 75% chance that the Fed will increase interest rates by 50 basis points in December.

However, the head of the Kansas City Fed, Esther George, cautioned on Tuesday that interest rates might remain elevated for a longer length of time in order to lower inflation, a situation that is expected to have an effect on metal markets over the next year.

Despite the fact that gold has recouped the majority of its losses this year, the yellow metal is still trading well below the highs it attained earlier this year. The precious metal also fared badly as an inflation hedge and lost its status as a monetary safe haven.

The dollar reduced some of its recent gains on Wednesday, falling from a two-week high.

Copper prices among industrial metals continued to rise on Tuesday, rising from a 10-day low in conjunction with a bigger recovery in risky assets.

Copper futures rose 0.2% per pound to $3.6290. In reaction to mounting COVID-19 cases in China, which slowed economic activity and limited the country's demand for commodities, the price of the precious metal fell last week.

Copper supplies are anticipated to tighten as a result of disruptions in main producing nations Chile and Peru. It is also predicted that U.S. sanctions on important Russian metal exporters will limit output.