Gold has posted sharp losses in the Tuesday session. In North American trade, the spot price for an ounce of gold is $1330.89, down 1.16% on the day. On the release front, there are no US events on the schedule. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will publish the minutes of its January meeting. As well, the US will release Existing Home Sales.
Gold continues to fluctutate, and the base metal has surrendered much of last week’s gains. Investor fears of more rate hikes from the Fed sparked the turbulence in global stock markets, and gold has shown volatility, as gold prices are sensitive to moves (or expected moves) in interest rates. The Fed is currently projecting three rate hikes this year, but if inflation continues to move upwards, many analysts are expecting that the Fed could press the rate trigger four, or even five times in 2018. This sentiment is weighing on gold, and traders should expect more volatility on Wednesday, as the Fed may show some of its cards regarding future rate policy.
It’s been a busy start for Jerome Powell, who has just commenced his stint as chair of the Federal Reserve. Strong US data in recent weeks has raised speculation that the Fed may need to accelerate the pace of interest rate hikes in 2018. Meanwhile, concern over higher inflation and more rate hikes sent the stock markets into a frenzy earlier in February. Powell sought to reassure the markets that the Fed was monitoring the situation, but it’s doubtful that the Fed can do much to prevent volatility in the markets.
