International gold prices break away from a week and a half high, investors wait for heavy data to be released

On Tuesday (October 5), international gold prices fell and left the high of $1,770.44 per ounce set overnight since September 23, as the U.S. dollar benefited from sluggish risk sentiment. Prior to the release of employment data in the United States this Friday, gold prices are expected to fluctuate, as the data may influence the Fed's debt purchase reduction plan.

At GMT+8 16:14, spot gold fell 0.60% to US$1759.06 per ounce; the main COMEX gold contract fell 0.46% to US$1759.4 per ounce; the US dollar index rose by 0.12% to 93.920.


The rise in the dollar index has made gold more expensive for buyers who hold other currencies. But the stock market slid as investors worried that soaring energy prices would inhibit economic growth. In addition, the US debt ceiling deadlock has also limited the downside of gold prices.

OANDA Asia Pacific senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said that the downturn in the stock market prompted Asian investors to buy US dollars, putting pressure on gold. He added that before the US employment report is released, the price of gold will be in the range of $1750-1785.00.

U.S. President Biden said on Monday (October 4) that unless Republicans and Democrats work together to vote to increase the debt ceiling in the next two weeks, the federal government may exceed the $28.4 trillion debt ceiling and default on an unprecedented level. .

Halley said: "Gold may find support when it drops to $1750.00 this week because of inflation and US fiscal concerns." Halley added that although these uncertainties will support gold to a certain extent, U.S. monetary policy Direction will be the ultimate key factor.

It is expected that the number of non-agricultural employment in the United States in September will show continued improvement in the labor market, which may cause the Fed to begin to reduce stimulus measures before the end of the year. Reduced stimulus measures and increased interest rates have increased bond yields, putting pressure on gold because the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold bars will increase.

However, some market participants said that the US's reduction of debt purchase issues may have limited impact on gold because investors have already digested this expectation. Now the main force determining the direction of gold prices has turned to the magnitude and pace of the Fed's rate hike.

St. Louis Fed President Brad said on Monday that for the first time in years, American companies have encountered no problems in raising prices to customers. While the market is worried that expectations of high inflation have become entrenched, he warned that inflation may remain high for some time to come.

Brad is one of the strongest supporters in the Federal Reserve that believe that positive measures should be taken to curb higher-than-expected inflation. He believes that two interest rate hikes are needed in 2022. At present, interest rates are still at a level close to zero, which has been at this level since the outbreak of the new crown pandemic in early 2020.