Gold, silver down amid weak China economic news, bearish outside markets

Gold and silver prices are solidly lower in midday U.S. trading Monday, on demand concerns for the metals after a batch of weak economic data from China. Sharply lower crude oil prices and a stronger U.S. dollar index to start the trading week are also bearish daily forces working against the metals. October gold futures were last down $19.60 at $1,785.70. September Comex silver futures were last down $0.443 at $20.26 an ounce.

China's central bank this week unexpectedly announced it is lowering interest rates and adding liquidity to China's financial system after some dour economic data reported for the world's second-largest economy. Chinese data on factory output, investment, consumer spending and real estate all weakened in July. The dour China news added to fears of a global economic recession. Covid restrictions and a troubled property market have helped to hobble China's economy in recent months. Other raw commodity prices on Monday also took a hit on the China news, led by a big drop in crude oil prices. China is a major global consumer of raw commodities, including metals. A weakening Chinese economy suggests less demand for raw commodities.

Global stock markets were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are a bit higher at midday.

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The key outside markets today see Nymex crude oil prices sharply lower and trading around $88.50 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is solidly higher in midday U.S. trading. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is fetching 2.781%.

Technically, October gold futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A fledgling price uptrend is now just barely in place on the daily bar chart. Bulls' next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at the August high of $1,814.40. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,725.00. First resistance is seen at $1,800.00 and then at today's high of 1,808.20. First support is seen at today's low of $1,777.60 and then at $1,760.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5.

September silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A fledgling uptrend on the daily bar chart has stalled out. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $22.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $19.00. First resistance is seen at $20.50 and then at today's high of $20.87. Next support is seen at $20.00 and then at $19.47. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5.

September N.Y. copper closed down 525 points at 361.60 cents today. Prices closed near mid-range. The key "outside markets" were bearish for copper today as crude oil prices were sharply down and the U.S. dollar index was higher. The copper bulls and bears are on a level overall near-term technical playing field. Prices are trending up on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at 385.00 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at 330.00 cents. First resistance is seen at last week's high of 371.30 cents and then at 380.00 cents. First support is seen at today's low of 354.60 cents and then at 350.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.0.

By Jim Wyckoff

For Kitco News

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