By
Sharps Pixley Ltd -
Wed 08 Aug 2012 03:45:21 CT
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Metals
After falling 0.7% last week, the U.S. gold futures inched up $3.6 this
week to end at $1,610.7 on Tuesday. The S&P rose 0.74%, oil
rebounded 2.48%, while the Stoxx 50 climbed 2.85% this week, after
surging 3.1% last week. Since 2 August, the Dollar Index has fallen
1.38%, while the U.S. 10-year government bond yield has climbed 15bp.
Though Italy's real GDP declined 0.7% in Q2 this year, and the German
factory orders plunged 1.7% in June, compared to +0.7% in May, European
stocks surged, and the Spanish 10-year government bond yield rallied to
6.86% on Tuesday, compared to a recent peak of 7.62% on 24 July. The
market expects the ECB to start government bonds purchase in the near
future, and an unsterilized bond purchase could resemble the Fed's
quantitative easing program. Global easing expectations have boosted
global stocks and gold prices. As of 31 July, net gold positions have
jumped 35% to 96,200 contracts according to CFTC.
Nevertheless, the dollar strength and the lack of a surge in investor
demand for gold have prevented the gold price from going higher. The
Bombay Bullion Association predicts the Indian import demand would
likely be 450 tonnes by September this year compared to 753 tonnes in
September, 2011. The recent Reuters quarterly poll showed the experts
expected the median gold price forecast to reach $1,685 this year, lower
than the $1,750 level surveyed as of the end of Q1. By the end of
2013, the gold price could reach $1,791.25.
Barclay's analyst Suki Cooper pointed out that changes in the demand
dynamics of gold in the past 10 years have driven up prices: investment
demand, now comprising of over 50% of gold demand, has surged, central
banks have turned from net sellers of gold to net buyers, and the
producers have stopped hedging gold. Going forward, while the strength
of the above three factors may be softened, the European debt and the
U.S. fiscal crises will continue to bring on volatility and
risk-aversions, which are likely to prompt investors to seek gold for
diversifications.
This Thursday's data on Chinese July industrial production and fixed
asset investment growth, and this Friday's data on Chinese July exports
and imports growth will give a hint whether the economy has stabilized
or not.
Austin Kiddle
Sharps Pixley, London
www.sharpspixley.com
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*Disclaimer: The information in the Market Commentaries was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed therein constitutes a solicitation of the purchase or sale of any futures or options contracts.