Giovanni Russo Gold prices have taken a significant hit, reaching a nine-month low with the per-ounce value plummeting to $1,858 on Thursday. As we transition into Friday, gold is currently trading at $1,870 per ounce, reflecting a 2.8% decline over the past five days. In contrast, Bitcoin (BTC) experienced an uptick on Thursday, registering a 1.5% increase against the U.S. dollar over the course of the week.
The decline in gold’s value mirrors the surge in bond yields, creating stress in the market due to the policies of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Both gold and silver are on a downward trajectory, with gold’s value now 3.5% lower than it was 30 days ago. Silver has experienced an even steeper decline, losing 6.6% over the past month and 2.9% in the previous five days. This challenging situation in the precious metals market is largely attributed to the Federal Reserve’s hawkish monetary stance.
The Federal Reserve’s pronounced quantitative tightening, coupled with higher interest rates, is driving bond yields upward, strengthening the U.S. dollar. Despite a gloomy economic outlook, bond yields are reaching unprecedented levels. Peter Boockvar from Bleakley Advisors commented on Thursday that the “epic sovereign bond bubble continues to unwind.”
After an extended period of yield curve inversion, the spread between long- and short-term bond yields is normalizing, albeit for unfavorable reasons. Subadra Rajappa, the chief of U.S. rates strategy at Société Générale, expressed concerns about the potential tightening of financial conditions, a sharp rise in real yields, and increased pressure on markets such as the mortgage and credit markets.
Economists at ANZ Bank suggest that the appeal of gold may diminish until the U.S. central bank adjusts its interest rates. However, they anticipate a resurgence in the allure of precious metals next year as the strength of the U.S. dollar is expected to wane.
According to ANZ market strategists, historical trends indicate that gold tends to perform well during periods of rate hikes and outperforms during easing and lower-rate environments. They note that the negative correlation with U.S. yields weakens during hiking cycles but strengthens during easing cycles.
The analysts at ANZ Bank further predict:
“The strength of the U.S. dollar is likely to decline in 2024. While we anticipate the U.S. dollar’s appreciation to continue until the end of this year, expectations of rate cuts and a slowdown in economic growth momentum will likely lead to a drop in the U.S. dollar’s value next year.”
While gold faces a downturn, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) has risen, surpassing the $27,000 mark per unit on September 29. BTC bulls have driven market prices upward despite economic uncertainties, leading to traders accumulating profits. Bitcoin’s performance has aligned with the upward trend in equity markets, as all four major U.S. benchmark indices ended positively on Thursday, and futures markets indicate a modest increase on Friday.
What are your thoughts on gold’s decline and Bitcoin’s ascent in value? Feel free to share your insights and opinions on this matter in the comments section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Commodity Markets
What caused the recent decline in gold prices?
The recent decline in gold prices can be attributed to the hawkish stance of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Their policies, including quantitative tightening and elevated interest rates, have led to rising bond yields and a stronger U.S. dollar, diminishing the appeal of gold as a safe-haven asset.
How has silver performed compared to gold?
Silver has experienced a steeper decline, shedding 6.6% in the past month and 2.9% in the preceding five days, reflecting the broader stress in the precious metals market.
Why has Bitcoin’s value surged amidst economic uncertainty?
Bitcoin’s rise can be linked to investors seeking alternative assets amidst economic ambiguity. Its performance has mirrored the upward trend in equity markets, as indicated by positive results in major U.S. benchmark indices.
When can we expect a resurgence in the appeal of gold?
Economists at ANZ Bank anticipate that the appeal of gold may return once the U.S. central bank adjusts its interest rates. They expect a resurgence in the allure of precious metals next year, as the strength of the U.S. dollar is projected to diminish in 2024.
What are the implications of rising bond yields?
Rising bond yields have the potential to tighten financial conditions and lead to increased pressure on markets like mortgages and credit, as benchmark yields like the 5- or 10-year rates influence various financial instruments.
How do historical trends suggest gold performs during rate cycles?
Historical trends indicate that gold tends to perform well during rate hiking cycles and outperforms during easing and lower-rate environments. The correlation with U.S. yields weakens during hiking cycles but strengthens during easing cycles.
More about Commodity Markets
- Gold Prices
- Bitcoin News
- Federal Reserve Policies
- Bond Yields
- Precious Metals Market
- Cryptocurrency Trends
- Economic Outlook
- U.S. Benchmark Indices
- ANZ Bank Analysis
