IV:Gold Trades Above $1300 After Lower Than Expected US Jobs Data
Precious-Gold dropped slightly on Monday, following its biggest one-day gain since March 12 recorded on Friday, as investors’ worries continued after lower than forecast U.S. jobs data.
The prime focus in the market is predicted to remain on U.S. data as investors want to get clearer clues about whether the Fed would continue with the same pace of stimulus reduction after a parade of upbeat data.
The infamous jobs report released on Friday showed that U.S. employers added 192,000 jobs last month, compared with analysts’ projection of 200,000, sparking some uncertainty about the Fed’s monetary outlook.
Fed Chair Janet Yellen said last week the U.S. economy will need to hold stimulus for “some time,” but on March 19, she hinted to the possibility of raising interest rates in six months after the end of bond purchases withdrawal.
Meanwhile, gold is traded around $1300.33 an ounce after hitting a high of $1303.97 and a low of $1298.95.
Gold posted 1.44 percent gain on Friday to end the week on a 0.67 percent advance, after dropping the previous two weeks.
The breach of SMA 200 on Friday helped the metal to rise above $1300, where it may find support today at $1297 levels.
On the physical side, gold prices failed to gain support from the world’s biggest bullion buyer China as markets were closed due for the Tomb Sweeping holiday.
The U.S. dollar slipped versus a basket of major currencies to hover around 80.50, falling from a peak of 80.59, according to the dollar index.
Crude oil for May’s delivery retreated to trade around $100.49 a barrel after touching a low of $100.41.