Gold Prices Subdued as Investors Await FOMC Meeting

Gold Prices Subdued as Investors Await FOMC Meeting

As of 5:30 PM EDT, gold futures based on the most active June 2024 contract are down $2.10, or -0.09%, settling at $2347.50. Today's decline would have been more significant if not for the dollar's weakness. The dollar is currently down -0.26%, taking the dollar index to 105.525. A neutral dollar would have resulted in gold losing more ground, as gold is directly paired against the dollar for value.

The Federal Reserve will commence its two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Tuesday, concluding on Wednesday. It is widely anticipated that the Federal Reserve will leave its benchmark interest rate (fed funds rate) unchanged.

According to the CME's FedWatch tool, there is a 94.6% probability that the Fed will maintain its current rates and a 5.4% probability that they will cut rates by ¼%, which would take their benchmark rate to between 5% and 5.25%.

At the conclusion of this week's FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve will release a statement, and Chairman Jerome Powell will hold a press conference.

According to the UBJ, "Forecasts from futures markets indicate a high degree of certainty that interest rates will remain unchanged, with only a negligible chance of a rate cut. Since July 2023, the FOMC has maintained a steady federal-funds rate target, holding it within a range of 5.25% to 5.50%. This steady stance reflects the committee's cautious approach, particularly in light of recent inflationary pressures."

However, market participants will be intensely focused on the Fed's plan regarding its balance sheet management, which is expected to draw significant attention.

Author Rahul Kumar noted, "The Fed wields influence over monetary policy not only through interest rates but also via its actions in the repo market and adjustments to the size of its balance sheet. Quantitative easing (QE), a strategy involving the purchase of large quantities of assets, injects liquidity into the financial system, while quantitative tightening (QT) involves reducing the balance sheet by allowing assets to mature without reinvestment.

Since June 2022, the Fed has embarked on a path of QT, gradually reducing the size of its balance sheet. Powell's recent indications of slowing the balance-sheet runoff signal a potential shift in strategy, with expectations of a formal plan announcement in May and a subsequent reduction in the monthly pace of balance#sheet reduction."

The Federal Reserve has been steadily decreasing assets from its balance sheet, which peaked in 2022, and decisions on QT are separate from the Fed's decisions on interest rates.

It seems likely that the vast majority of investors will await the Fed's guidance before making major decisions on their investment portfolios, including allocations to gold and U.S. equities.
 

Kitco Media

Gary Wagner

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

 

Tim Moseley

Bitcoin Primed For November 2020-Esque Meteoric Price Growth Amid Extreme Compression: Pundit

Bitcoin Primed For November 2020-Esque Meteoric Price Growth Amid Extreme Compression: Pundit

By Brenda Ngari – April 28, 2024

Bitcoin’s movements have been unremarkable in the past week, weakly wobbling seven days after its much-awaited halving event. At press time, the Bitcoin price hovers at $63,774 after barely budging over the week. The lackluster price action came alongside a rush of money from the newly approved U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

However, a well-known crypto strategist sees an epic bull plot ahead for Bitcoin.

Why BTC Could Repeat Nov 2020 Price Eruption

Anonymous analyst TechDev took to the X micro-blogging platform to note that BTC’s two-month chart conditions indicate that the crypto market leader is about to go turbo-parabolic.

TechDev forecasts that Bitcoin will surge by more than 110%. This would mark a repeat of the November 2020 price move, when BTC rocketed from roughly $13,000 to around $29,000 within two months.

An accompanying chart highlights Bitcoin’s meteoric rallies in 2013, 2016, and 2020. During these three instances, BTC’s momentum indicator — the relative strength index (RSI) — had a bullish reading of 70.

TechDev further notes that Bitcoin’s volatility indicator, as indicated by Bollinger Band Width (BBW), bottomed out during the three times. It’s worth noting that an extended period of low volatility usually ushers in a strong directional bias, meaning BTC was gearing up for a big move.

The Only Way For Bitcoin Is Up?

TechDev further suggested that Bitcoin is unlikely to undergo a price collapse.

“Please also point out the ‘pullbacks/crashes/dumps’ many have freaked about over the last eight months.”

While TechDev remains highly optimistic about the possibility of another ballistic Bitcoin rally, fellow cryptocurrency strategist DonAlt is rather cautious.

DonAlt warns that support at the $60,000 level looks weak after getting tested several times.

“Back to the same old level. The more often it’s tested the more likely it is to break. I think even bulls would want to get a washout below it at this point. Complacency until proven otherwise (as in until $68,000 is reclaimed or range is lost and then reclaimed again),” the analyst posited.

For crypto expert Michaël van de Poppe, Bitcoin will likely remain stuck in a range for the next 3-6 months. He, however, expects altcoins to diverge greatly to deliver much-awaited gains for holders.

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in the article are wholly those of the author and do not represent those of, nor should they be attributed to, ZyCrypto. This article is not meant to give financial advice. Please carry out your own research before investing in any of the various cryptocurrencies available.

The original article written by Brenda Ngari and posted on ZyCrypto.com.

Article reposted on Markethive by Jeffrey Sloe

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Tim Moseley

Gold at the highest probability of a ‘melt-up’ since the 1980s but don’t rule out 10 corrections Jared Dillian

Gold at the highest probability of a 'melt-up' since the 1980s, but don't rule out 10% corrections – Jared Dillian

Commodities are known to top following major geopolitical events but don't discount gold seeing 10% moves in any direction as the market is at the highest probability of a melt-up since the 1980s, according to Jared Dillian, author of 'No Worries' and editor of The Daily Dirtnap.

Gold surged 18% between March 1 and April 12, rising around $400 and hitting new all-time highs on escalating Middle East tensions, record purchases by central banks, concerns over sticky inflation, soaring U.S. government debt, and continued fiat debasement.

Following the rally, major banks have upwardly revised their gold price outlooks. Citigroup is now calling for a $3,000 gold price over six to 18 months, while Goldman expects gold to hit $2,700 by the year end, and UBS has upgraded its year-end target to $2,500 an ounce.

At the time of writing, spot gold had fallen from record highs and was trading steady at $2,330 an ounce.

Banks raising gold price targets is somewhat concerning in terms of sentiment, said Dillian, who is projecting trend exhaustion in the short term.

"Gold is going to top, which will happen at some point in the $2,500," Dillian told Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News. "I focus on sentiment, and it has been getting a little bit hotter. Gold people, including myself, have been a little bit more bullish on Twitter. I think you'll see an exhaustion of bullish sentiment in the short term and then a price pullback."

Dillian, who has a 40% exposure to gold, is continuing to hold his position but is planning to hedge. "I expect about a 10% correction," he said

By Anna Golubova and Michelle Makori

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

 

 

Tim Moseley

What You Need to Know About Junk Food and Cancer

What You Need to Know About Junk Food and Cancer:

What You Need to Know About Junk Food and Cancer: Risks and Evidence Explained

Understanding how junk food and cancer are connected is super important in today's health-conscious world. Junk food, packed with loads of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, has always been tied to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Recent studies show that eating these highly processed foods might also up the chances of getting cancer. Junk food's nutritional makeup is lacking in important vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, which are crucial for keeping our bodies healthy and warding off diseases.

A pile of junk food items, such as chips, soda, and candy, next to a cancer cell under a microscope

The food you eat affects your health. Eating healthy can help lower the risk of cancer. A healthy diet includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods have nutrients that can help protect your cells and reduce the chance of getting cancer.

Making good food choices is a proactive way to protect your health. While no specific food or diet can guarantee cancer prevention, experts agree that your diet matters. By eating lots of plant-based foods and limiting processed meats and sugars, you can reduce your risk of certain types of cancer.

THE LINK BETWEEN DIET AND CANCER

What You Need to Know About Junk Food and Cancer

Exploring how dietary habits, particularly the consumption of junk food, can influence the risk of developing cancer is crucial. This section examines how diet acts as a risk factor and the specific impact of junk food on cancer prevalence.

UNDERSTANDING CANCER RISK FACTORS

Cancer risk is influenced by many factors including genetics, environment, physical activity, and lifestyle choices. Obesity, diabetes, and heart disease can result from poor diet and lack of exercise, and they are linked to higher cancer risk. A healthy diet with good nutrition and less processed and sugary foods, along with regular physical activity, can help lower these risks. Smoking is strongly linked to cancer and should be avoided.

THE IMPACT OF JUNK FOOD ON CANCER

Consuming junk food frequently is associated with poor nutrition and can lead to an unhealthy dietary pattern. Foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats contribute to the development of obesity. Studies have illustrated that obesity has a direct correlation with certain types of cancer, and hence, maintaining a healthy diet is paramount in cancer prevention. The emphasis on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, alongside reducing the intake of junk food, could lower the chance of cancer development.

Physical activity, in contrast to sedentary habits often accompanying high junk food consumption, is fundamental in maintaining a healthy weight, which further reduces cancer risk. It is imperative to understand that while not all junk food will lead to cancer, a diet consistently high in these types of food can significantly contribute to the factors that increase cancer risk.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF JUNK FOOD

What You Need to Know About Junk Food and Cancer

Junk food is typically high in caloriesadded sugars, and fats, while being low in essential nutrients like fibervitamins, and minerals. These attributes can contribute to nutrient deficiencies and have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

ADDED SUGARS AND FATS IN JUNK FOOD

Added sugars are commonly found in unhealthy food, often making up more than 75% of the total sugar intake. Sweetened drinks alone can contribute a significant amount of the sugar consumed from unhealthy foods. Additionally, unhealthy food can be a main source of saturated fat, accounting for about 48% of an individual's total saturated fat intake. Consuming high amounts of these fats along with sugar can result in consuming more calories without getting any beneficial nutrients.

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY AND CANCER

Regular consumption of junk food can lead to a deficiency in nutrients that play a vital role in maintaining health. For example, iron, an essential nutrient, is often scarce in junk food, potentially leading to anemia. Low intake of fiber may contribute to digestive issues and has been associated with certain types of cancer. Furthermore, the lack of vitamins and minerals, which are crucial for various bodily functions, can impair the immune system and other body processes. Lastly, the high levels of cholesterol found in many junk foods can have detrimental effects on heart health, influencing cancer risk.

ALTERNATIVES TO JUNK FOOD

A colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables displayed next to a pile of unhealthy, processed junk food. The contrast between the two options is clear, with the vibrant, natural produce standing out against the dull, packaged snacks

What You Need to Know About Junk Food and Cancer

The transition from junk food to more healthful options can significantly impact an individual's overall health and may reduce cancer risk. This section will explore tangible alternatives that can replace common processed snacks and meals.

HEALTHY SNACKING OPTIONS

For those who want to swap their favorite snacks for healthier options, fruits like apples or berries are a great choice. They're naturally sweet and packed with important nutrients and fiber. Nuts and seeds are also good options, providing healthy fats and proteins. A small handful of almonds or pumpkin seeds can be fulfilling and good for you.

One can find tasty snack alternatives that fight cravings without sacrificing health. Air-popped popcorn, for example, is a whole grain that offers volume and fiber without the extra calories in chips. For a sweet snack, you can replace junk food with dried fruits or homemade smoothies, which can satisfy sugar cravings with natural sugars and essential fibers.

ADOPTING A WHOLE-FOOD, PLANT-PREDOMINANT DIET

Opting for a diet centered around whole foods and plant sources is a decisive step towards better health. Including a colorful array of vegetables in each meal ensures a wide spectrum of nutrients and phytonutrients vital for health. The incorporation of beanslentils, and tofu provides a substantial source of plant-based protein and fiber, fostering satiety and wellness.

Including whole grains like quinoa or brown rice creates a hearty base for meals, while lean fish and poultry can serve as healthy sources of protein for those who include animal products in their diet. Regular consumption of foods high in vitamin D and fiber, such as fortified cereals and legumes, supports a strong immune system and digestive health. Drinking ample water throughout the day also flushes toxins from the body and aids in maintaining healthy body functions.

STRATEGIES FOR CANCER PREVENTION

A table with junk food and cancer prevention items. Fruits, vegetables, and water on one side. Processed snacks, sugary drinks on the other

Effective cancer prevention strategies can significantly reduce the risks associated with the disease. Emphasis on maintaining a healthy weight and incorporating regular physical activity are crucial components supported by leading health organizations.

THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WEIGHT CONTROL

Engaging in regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are pivotal in the battle against cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research advocates for a lifestyle that includes ample physical activity, which can help control weight, reduce inflammation, and improve insulin sensitivity. These changes collectively contribute to a lower risk of chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer. Studies suggest that physical activity alone might lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.

It is of paramount importance to maintain a healthy weight in order to prevent cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, being overweight raises the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, and kidney cancer. By managing weight and staying active, these risks can be reduced through the improvement of gut health and mental well-being, which can also help alleviate conditions such as anxiety and depression.

GUIDELINES FROM HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS

Leading health organizations, including the Mayo Clinic, have established guidelines to reduce cancer risks through nutrition and lifestyle choices:

  • Healthy Diet: A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes while low in processed foods and red meats is recommended.
  • Physical Activity: Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of high-intensity activity weekly.
  • Mental Health: Chronic stress is to be managed, as positive mental health practices contribute indirectly to cancer prevention by promoting wellbeing and healthier lifestyle choices.

These guidelines are reinforced by evidence indicating that proactive management of diet and exercise can influence factors contributing to cancer risk. Such strategies are designed to be sustainable, adaptable, and capable of drastically improving health outcomes across populations.

What You Need to Know About Junk Food and Cancer

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A table with junk food items and a cancer awareness poster in the background

In considering the link between unhealthy food and cancer, we need to look at recent studies and specific ingredients that could raise the risk. Below are key questions answered by experts.

HOW MIGHT REGULAR CONSUMPTION OF HEAVILY PROCESSED FOODS IMPACT ONE'S CANCER RISK?

Regular consumption of heavily processed foods has been linked to higher risk of several cancers, including colorectal and stomach cancers. This is thought to be due to high levels of sugar, fats, and additives found in these foods.

THE LINK BETWEEN CERTAIN INGREDIENTS IN JUNK FOOD AND INCREASED CANCER RISK

The consumption of certain ingredients commonly found in junk food has been associated with an elevated risk of developing cancer. These ingredients include but are not limited to high levels of artificial trans fats, processed meats, excessive amounts of refined sugars, and an abundance of sodium.

Regular consumption of junk food containing these elements has the potential to contribute to an increased risk of cancer. Therefore, it is advisable to limit the intake of such ingredients to reduce the associated health risks.

Certain ingredients commonly found in unhealthy food, such as trans fats, artificial colors, and preservatives, have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, the presence of sugar in the diet can also contribute to this risk by impacting obesity and inflammation.

ARE THERE CERTAIN TYPES OF CANCER THAT ARE MORE STRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSUMPTION OF JUNK OR FAST FOOD?

Yes, studies have found that consuming junk and fast food can raise the risk of developing certain cancers that affect the respiratory and digestive systems, including the mouth, throat, esophagus, and colon. Source

WHAT HAVE RECENT STUDIES CONCLUDED ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS AND CANCER?

Recent studies have found a correlation between ultra-processed foods and a higher risk of cancer. This connection is primarily attributed to the low nutritional quality and high content of undesirable additives in such foods.

CAN SWITCHING TO A HEALTHIER DIET SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THE CHANCES OF DEVELOPING CANCER?

Adopting a healthier diet can lower the chances of developing cancer. Nutritional guidelines suggest focusing on a variety of whole foods, like vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins, to substantially reduce cancer risks.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL CARCINOGENIC COMPOUNDS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN CONSUMING PROCESSED AND JUNK FOODS?

Processed and junk foods might sneak in some not-so-great stuff like acrylamide, nitrates, and heterocyclic amines, especially when they're cooked at super high temps. So, when you're choosing what to eat, it's important to keep these substances in mind. These icky substances can show up when you fry, bake, or grill your grub at really high temperatures.

For example, acrylamide can pop up when you fry, bake, or roast starchy foods. both nitrates and heterocyclic amines can lurk in processed meats when they're cooked or processed using high-heat methods. Knowing about these potential risks can help you make smart choices about what you eat and focus on fresh, less processed foods made with gentler cooking methods.

https://rtateblogspot.com/2024/03/28/there-is-a-new-way-to-lose-weight-through-alternative-medicine/

Tim Moseley

Gold Hits Record Highs Rising with the US Dollar

Gold Hits Record Highs Rising with the US Dollar

Over the last six weeks, gold and the US dollar have been moving higher in strong correlation. This is contrary to the typical moderately inverse relationship between the two Tier 1 bank assets.

Gold & The Dollar

I use the term “moderately” because the media and mainstream market analysts talk about the relationship as if it’s a tick-for-tick strong inverse relationship. Over a long period of time, the correlation between the dollar and gold is around -30% (the statistical study I’m referencing was conducted by a Trinity College (Dublin) professor and the LBMA – it examined the data from 1975 to February 2012).

Over very short periods, the inverse relationship might be considerably stronger.

Gold Vs The Dollar

However, since late 2005, gold and the dollar have occasionally traded higher with a strong correlation for a short period. In those instances, that particular trading relationship often precedes a sell-off in the dollar while gold continues to move higher.

The chart above shows gold vs the US dollar for the last 52 weeks. The two assets have been moving higher with a very strong positive correlation. There’s been a positive correlation between gold and the dollar as both have been trending higher since the beginning of 2024.

Gold’s Divergence

Also note that after the periods in which gold and the dollar moved higher together, at some point the dollar headed south while gold continued higher. Gold continued higher to a new all-time high in all three instances (March 2008, September 2011 and July 2020). If this trading pattern holds this time, it implies that there will be an all-time high price for gold that is considerably higher than the current level at some point after the dollar diverges negatively and heads south.

The chart above shows the dollar vs gold from 2004 to present, weekly. Annotations show the periods when gold and the dollar moved higher in correlation.

The best explanation in my opinion for this trading occurrence between gold and the dollar is that financial turmoil is unfolding in the financial system around the period when the two assets move higher in tandem.

Enter Inflation

In 2005, inflation began accelerating along with the price of oil, the mortgage finance bubble was inflating rapidly, interest rates were rising and the real (inflation-adjusted) GDP was falling.

2008 saw the culmination of the mortgage crisis which ushered in a full-fledged banking crisis. 2020 needs no explanation. Currently, it is starting to appear as if the entire debt-driven financial system globally is at risk of collapsing.

Thus, I believe the best explanation for the dollar and gold moving higher together is a flight to safety into gold and the dollar by those who can “see” what’s unfolding. At some point, the financial turmoil triggers a sell-off in the dollar and an even bigger movement of capital into gold and silver.

The financial system could be approaching the tipping point which will trigger a sharp sell-off in the dollar and an even bigger move higher in the precious metals sector.

Dave Kranzler

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Wall Street sees higher gold prices next week Main Street gets pessimistic with NFP Fed decision on the docket

Wall Street sees higher gold prices next week, Main Street gets pessimistic with NFP, Fed decision on the docket

While gold would appear to have had a poor week, down over 2% since the open on Sunday night, a cursory glance at the weekly chart shows that virtually all of the losses were traders selling off their weekend insurance after the Middle East conflict didn’t escalate beyond Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Friday.

If we subtract this move, gold prices traded in a narrow $30 band since dipping briefly below $2,300 Tuesday as markets digested worrisome but not earth-shattering economic data.

The latest Kitco News Weekly Gold Survey showed retail investors increasingly losing faith in the precious metal, while analysts and institutional players see this week’s consolidation as a harbinger of further gains.

Mac Chandler, Managing Director at Bannockburn Global Forex, was among those who saw this week’s price performance in a positive light.

“Gold in the cash market found support near $2300,” he said. “I think it can test $2370 in the coming days. I suspect the real test is with the US jobs data next week. The FOMC meeting comes first, but a hawkish hold is widely anticipated. The service PMI and small business surveys warn of downside risk.”

“A disappointing jobs report could send the dollar and rates lower and lift the yellow metal,” Chandler said.

Adrian Day, President of Adrian Day Asset Management, also sees gold trading higher next week. “Buying worldwide is picking up,” he said. “Central banks continue to be net buyers of gold, in size, if so far this year at a somewhat slower rate than the last two years.”

“Chinese consumer buying is up this year, as investors and savers look for a safe place to put their money amid a weakening economy and threatened yuan devaluation,” Day said. “Now buying in North America is turning, albeit at a slow pace, but turning none the less. Gold ETFs are beginning to see some inflows, after steady and relentless selling most of last year and earlier this year.”

“Investors, both individuals and institutions, are extremely underweight gold assets, so even a slight shift in buying patterns could be dramatic,” Day added.

Adam Button, head of currency strategy at Forexlive.com, was parsing gold market demand for clues about its future direction.

“The open question is how much of the bid is safe haven and how much of it is driven by the same fundamentals that have been underpinning gold for the past seven weeks,” Button said. “One thing to look at is oil. Many people are still estimating there's a five-dollar premium in oil from the Middle East. I think that's aggressive, but oil hasn't come down that much this week either, so either the premium is still there, or it's not that big of a factor at all.”

“I lean towards that the geopolitical premium is small,” he said. “At this point, at the risk of being wrong on the weekend, but the Iran-Israel tensions appear to be dwindling. It's clear the U. S. doesn't want a war, and Iran doesn't want a war. I don't think Israel's going to go it alone.”

Button said that as the pressure drops in the region, the market should return its focus to the real driving force behind gold’s price action.

“I think all roads lead to China in this gold discussion,” he said. “And the question I have is how much of the China bid is retail and how much of it is official or semi-official. And I would split that off and say retail financial flows versus retail physical flows, because if it's physical retail buying, that's not going to unwind, whereas there's a lot of talk about China ETF inflows… that can unwind really quickly if the price starts declining.”

That said, Button sees plenty of signs of continued strength for gold prices.

“The bids keep coming in,” he said. “And the sellers have had a good reason. You've got hot inflation numbers, strong dollar, a rough week in markets with tech there, and a more peaceful kind of resolution [to the Iran-Israel strikes].”

“If you look at the week, gold faced three or four tests of demand. And to my mind, it passed them all.”

Button said that while we’re seeing steady buying and higher lows again, gold will need buyers outside of China to propel prices higher still.

“I think if gold is going to rally further from here, it's going to take more of a global retail demand spike to make it happen,” he said. “There's a little bit more talk on CNBC about gold, but it just gets so easily overshadowed when you have Google up 10% or Meta down 20%. Gold can't seem to grab ahold of that retail bandwidth. And that's fine, because that's probably what's going to lead to a top, is some kind of retail piling in. But for now, the bids are still there, and at wonderful levels. There's a lot of money to be made in the gold space right now.”

Button also believes the market is primed for an overreaction to a disappointing employment report. “The market will move much more than it should on a soft jobs report,” he said. “This week we had the S&P global PMI that was soft and we saw what happened, there were some big moves on that. And that's a second-tier indicator. Nonfarm payrolls is tip-of-the-top.”

“GDP was a little soft, rates are high again, there's some election angst, demand really isn't that strong,” he said. “The market might have a really quick rethink if there is a soft nonfarm payrolls report.”

This week, 10 Wall Street analysts participated in the Kitco News Gold Survey, and the views were virtually identical to those shared last week. Seven experts, or 70%, expected to see gold prices climb higher next week, while two analysts, representing 20%, see gold continuing to trade sideways. Once again, only one analyst, or 10%, predicted a price drop.

Meanwhile, 155 votes were cast in Kitco’s online poll, with only a minority of Main Street investors now seeing gains for the precious metal after another week of restrained price action. 74 retail traders, representing 48%, looked for gold to rise next week. Another 46, or 30%, predicted it would be lower, while 35 respondents, or 22%, expect the precious metal to trend sideways in the week ahead.

Next week’s economic news highlights are the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision on Wednesday and the nonfarm payrolls report on Friday, but markets will also pay attention to Tuesday’s U.S. Consumer Confidence report, Wednesday’s ADP nonfarm employment, ISM manufacturing PMI, and JOLTS job openings, weekly jobless claims on Thursday, and the Friday release of ISM Services PMI.

Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst at Barchart.com, believes gold will finally get its long-overdue pullback next week.

“Going out on a limb here, but if the June futures contract closes higher Friday and Monday, it would be 3 days against the short-term downtrend that was confirmed with the move to a new 4-day low this past Monday,” Newsom said. “The daily chart would also be showing a bear flag pattern, with the old technical saying being, ‘flags and pennants fly at half-mast.’ If so, and the contract breaks down next Tuesday (theoretically), then the short-term target would be near $2,268.”

James Stanley, senior market strategist at Forex.com, thinks the Fed will send some dovish signals, which should help gold prices.

“I think the Fed will still have some element of a dovish lean, and I think that’ll keep gold bulls in the game,” he said. “That said, the April monthly bar in spot gold could take on a different tone depending on how Monday and Tuesday of next week go. If bulls cannot hold 2300 into month-end, there’ll be a greater build of bearish short-term price action, and when combined with the lower-high last week and the stall at 2400 this month, that can start to open the door to a deeper pullback move.”

Sean Lusk, co-director of commercial hedging at Walsh Trading, was looking through this week’s sideways chop on Friday, and sees geopolitics and inflation continuing to drive gold prices higher.

“It has been hesitant,” Lusk said. “You get a little move overnight and then it's right back to where it came from in the morning, in either direction. Some of the inflation data was a little scary yesterday, now it's reset itself. This is probably an overreaction to the upside of the equity markets, the metals gave back all of the rally from last night, but I still think the path of least resistance is higher.”

Lusk said he doesn’t believe the Middle East situation has really cooled down, and he expects more conflict in the near future.

“You're just getting a little bit of a pause, but my feeling is this is the calm before the storm,” he said. “The actions that have taken place in the last couple of weeks over there, where it's just tit for tat, missile over here, missile over there. There's no consequences, but there's going to be consequences. That's why I think eventually, energy is going to lead a lot of these things up.”

Looking ahead at next week’s April nonfarm payrolls report, Lusk said that while it remains a tradable event, the inflation indicators should really be the market’s focus these days.

“I think the employment report used to be the standard, the most important economic data. And it's very important. But now, when you have rates back up off these historic lows that sat there at 2% for year in, year out, and we sank them to zero for the pandemic, brought them back out of hibernation, finally, to combat inflation.”

“Can we not argue that the GDP, and more importantly, the CPI and PPI, are way more important indicators than unemployment? Because you can,” he said. “The unemployment report is just a simple survey, there's no accuracy there. That's why there's revisions, and the revisions are major.”

“I think the market for gold, for energy, for other things, is going to take its cue from the inflation indicators as they relate to the bond market, and obviously the dollar. Remember the February employment number? Blew away expectations! Real positive! Gold dipped down below $2,000 an ounce. And since then we've taken off. Why? Because inflation started to run hot again, and that took some muscle out of the stock market.”

“The dips, the profit-takes, the unwinds have been limp, maybe $40 here one day, $30 there, and what happens? It just slowly gets bought back,” he said.

“I'd be a buyer of dips in gold until the technicals and the fundamental focus and picture of the market says no more rate hikes,” Lusk added. “Flow is going back in the dollar. Bonds are crashing because yields are soaring. Those really are the traditional enemies of a sustained rally in gold.”

Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, thinks gold prices will take a breather next week. “Gold needs more time to recover, so next week I’m neutral to lower.”

And Kitco Senior Analyst Jim Wyckoff still sees potential gains for gold next week. “Steady-higher as charts remain overall bullish,” he said.

Spot gold last traded at $2,337.40 per ounce at the time of writing, up 0.22% on the day but down 2.27% on the week.

Kitco Media

Ernest Hoffman

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

 

Tim Moseley

Gold Price News: Gold Falls Back as Geopolitical Risks Ease

Gold Price News: Gold Falls Back as Geopolitical Risks Ease

Gold prices fell sharply at the start of the week, pulling back from near all-time highs as geopolitical risks were seen easing.

Prices fell to around $2,320 an ounce by Tuesday afternoon, down from around $2,330 an ounce in late deals on Monday, and from highs of over $2,400 at the end of the previous week.

Gold’s falling price on Monday and Tuesday was linked to an easing of geopolitical tensions after it became clear that Israel and Iran were not willing to enter into an escalating round of retaliatory air strikes that would risk a broader confrontation. Recent tensions in the Middle-East, as well as Russia and Ukraine, have increased the appeal of safe-haven assets like precious metals.

On the economic front, US manufacturing PMI figures for April released Tuesday came in weaker than the markets had expected, posting a four-month low. Signs of a weaker-than-expected economy strengthen the case for interest rate cuts, which are seen as supportive for non-interest-bearing assets like gold. However, the markets still appear to be dialling back expectations of as many as three interest rate cuts by the US Fed this year.

Looking ahead, Wednesday will see the release of monthly US durable goods orders for March, providing the latest snapshot on the state of the US economy.

Arguably more important will be the US GDP growth rate data for Q1 on Thursday, as well as the latest weekly initial jobless claims figures, both of which will play into expectations for the US Fed’s stance on monetary policy in the coming months.

Frank Watson

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Sharp daily declines don’t spell the end of gold’s bull run OANDA’s Kelvin Wong

Sharp daily declines don’t spell the end of gold’s bull run – OANDA’s Kelvin Wong

While gold has posted a pair of disappointing days this week, the technical picture still points to further price gains for the precious metal, according to OANDA Senior Market Analyst Kelvin Wong.

“The price actions of Gold (XAU/USD) have shaped the mean reversion decline after a test on the US$2,420 intermediate resistance,” Wong wrote. “It tumbled by -2.7% on Monday, 22 April, its worst daily performance since 13 June 2022 (almost two years), and continued to extend its losses in yesterday’s (23 April) Asian session.”

Wong noted that yesterday’s intraday low of $2,291 represents an accumulated loss of 5.8% from spot gold’s recent all-time high of $2,431 set on April 12.

“Now, the golden question for Gold (XAU/USD); can the bulls be revived or is it game over for its medium-term uptrend that kickstarted in mid-February 2024?” he asked.

Wong highlights several technical indicators that he believes support gold’s medium-term uptrend, beginning with the gold/copper ratio, which is the spot price of gold divided by the price of high-grade copper futures in USD.

“[T]he ratio removes the US dollar exchange rate effect from the equation which in turn solely measures the relative value or outperformance or underperformance of gold against copper,” he said. “If the ratio of Gold/Copper declines steadily, it suggests that global economic growth is likely in an expansionary mode, and vice versa when the Gold/Copper ratio rises due to a relatively higher demand for gold for hedging purposes due to economic growth slowdown or uncertainties.”

Wong points out that the Gold/Copper ratio has stayed above support since late November and has remained within a major ascending channel in place since Oct. 15, 2021. “Therefore, the current configuration of the ratio suggests that there is still a relatively higher demand for gold as a hedging asset for stagflation risk.”

Another technical indicator that helps make the case for the precious metal to post further gains is the 50-day moving average (MA), which continues to support the spot gold price.

“Based on a technical analysis standpoint, the price actions of Gold (XAU/USD) are still trading above its 50-day moving average which confluences with a key medium-term pivotal support zone of US$2,260/2,210 that is defined by the former major ascending channel’s upper boundary from 28 September 2022, and the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the recent six-month impulsive upmove sequence from 6 October 2023 low to 12 April 2024 high,” Wong said. “In addition, the daily RSI momentum indicator is still holding above a key parallel support at around the 50 level after its exit from the overbought region which suggests that the medium-term uptrend phase from 14 February 2024 low remains intact.”

“A clearance above US$2,420 may see the next medium-term resistance coming in at US$2,540,” he added. “On the flip side, a break below the US$2,210 lower limit of the key medium-term pivotal support zone sees an extension of the ongoing corrective decline within its major uptrend phase to expose the long-term pivotal support zone of US$2,075/2,035 (also the 200-day moving average).”

Gold’s price action has been volatile on Wednesday, with spot gold trading in a range between $2,311.81 and $2,337.38 per ounce, but it has thus far managed to keep from posting a third consecutive down day. At the time of writing, spot gold last traded at $2,322.18 per ounce, exactly flat on the session.

Kitco Media

Ernest Hoffman

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

 

Tim Moseley

Record gold prices are driving historic contract volumes across the metals complex CME Group

Record gold prices are driving historic contract volumes across the metals complex – CME Group

Gold’s recent surge to new all-time highs has coincided with historic performances for a wide range of metals contracts, including copper, silver, platinum, and lithium, according to the recently published Q2 2024 Metals Update from Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

The CME wrote that sky-high gold prices drove futures volumes to their highest levels in years during the first quarter of 2024.

“Volume and open interest in Gold futures (GC) and Micro Gold futures (MGC) has surged in response to higher prices,” they said. “March Gold (GC) ADV of 332.6K contracts was its highest since July 2020, while OI of 540.6k on March 13, 2024, was its highest since March 2022. March Micro Gold (MGC) ADV of 75.4K was its highest since December 2020, while OI of 41.5K contracts on March 21, 2024, was its highest since January 2021.”

The CME also set its all-time daily volume record the day gold broke above $2,400 per ounce, with volume in its metals complex reaching a record 1,728,362 contracts on Friday, April 12, breaking the previous record of 1,670,920 contracts set on February 28, 2020.

“Amid shifting geopolitical conditions directly impacting the global metals trade and related sectors, market participants are utilizing our entire suite of metals products to adjust their portfolios and manage risk,” said Jin Hennig, Managing Director and Global Head of Metals at CME Group.

Gold’s standout price performance also drove other metals complex contract volumes to historic highs. April 12 was the third highest volume day on record across the precious metals complex, with 1,461,859 total contracts traded, the second highest for metals options, with 305,732 contracts traded, the second highest volume day on record for Micro Gold futures, with 311,919, and the third highest for Micro Silver futures, with 58,485 contracts traded.

It also saw the single day volume record for Micro Copper futures with 16,597, and was a top-ten volume day for the base metals complex with 265,021 total contracts changing hands.

April 12 was a momentous day for other reasons, as the CME, in coordination with the London Metal Exchange, enacted the most comprehensive limitation on Russian exports to date: a ban on all Russian metal produced after that day. The move was made to bring the two exchanges into compliance with the latest U.S. and UK sanctions imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The ban was put in place to hamper Russia’s ability to profit from the export of metal produced by companies such as Rusal (aluminum) and Nornickel (nickel) which help the country fund its ongoing military operations in Ukraine.

The CME told Reuters that they “are reviewing and will communicate any impact to our markets,” adding that they “do not disclose the origin or brands of the eligible or registered metal we have in store and that is consistent across all of our physically delivered markets.”

The red-hot precious metals market has also driven platinum contracts on the CME to record volume levels. “For the first time since 2018 platinum and palladium prices are near parity,” they said.“Platinum volumes reached record levels in March trading over 42K contracts on average per day, including an all-time high day of 60,410 contracts on March 19.”

“Palladium (PA) saw average daily volume in February of over 8K contracts, its highest since February 2014, while YTD average open interest of 21.6K is up 36% vs. 15.8K in 2023,” they noted.

Lithium futures on the CME have also benefitted from the ongoing green energy transition. “Q1 trading volumes in lithium hydroxide has already eclipsed the volume for the entire year last year,” they said. “Over 320 contracts have traded per day on average in Q1, up over 2000% compared to the same period last year. Open interest has surged to over 24K contracts as of April 2.”

Kitco Media

Ernest Hoffman

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

 

 

Tim Moseley

A Strategic Masterstroke: Blugenics Harnesses Markethive’s Expertise for the Launch of Gaditana Original

A Strategic Masterstroke: Blugenics Harnesses Markethive's Expertise for the Launch of Gaditana Original

Experience the game-changing potential of Markethive, the first-ever market network built on blockchain technology. With its decentralized and transparent nature, this groundbreaking innovation empowers Blugenics, a company dedicated to its customers and the creator of Gatitana Original, the purest superfood on earth, to connect with customers like never before. Say goodbye to traditional marketing methods and hello to a new era of customer acquisition. 

Blugenics Selects Markethive For Revolutionary Customer Acquisition Initiative

After years of prayer, the divinely inspired vision for Markethive is now becoming a reality. In an exclusive and unprecedented partnership, we have established a comprehensive socket connection between Markethive and Blugenics, creating seamless inter-process communication and allowing our storefronts to link directly to their system. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era as the full potential of a fully functional market network is unleashed upon the world. This is just the beginning of our journey together, and we're excited to have you as part of this exclusive collaboration.

Markethive is embarking on a groundbreaking venture spearheaded by Chris Corey and guided by Markethive CEO Thomas Prendergast. In a synergistic collaboration between Markethive engineers and the Blugenics marketing team, we're developing all forms of state-of-the-art marketing material for distributor acquisition and customers. This innovative project heralds a new era for Markethive, and we're eagerly anticipating its impact on our community.

Thomas recently prayed to the Lord to reveal a suitable business partner who shares his commitment to prioritizing customers' needs. Paraphrasing,

“Lord, if you want Markethive to be unveiled and for us to have a company that will lock arms with us that has a customer-centric product, can’t you just send it to me, Lord, because I can't find one!” 

Only days later, Thomas received a call from his friend Jeff, who introduced him to David Hunter, the president of Blugenics. During their conversation, Thomas felt a sense of tranquility and optimism. After carefully considering the gentleman's words, Thomas mentioned that Markethive would require a socket connection to fully utilize its capabilities and unlock its full potential. David replied that they had already searched the web and wanted to collaborate with Markethive. David then informed Thomas that the socket connection was already up and running, and all that was needed was for him to verify it. 

The Fluke Discovery Of Phytoplankton: The Tiny Giants of the Ocean

Phytoplankton, the microscopic powerhouses of the sea, are the unsung heroes of the marine world. Despite their small size, they are responsible for producing a significant portion of the oxygen we breathe and serve as the foundation of the aquatic food chain, making them essential for our planet's health and our own survival. 

In 2005, phytoplankton was initially intended to serve as a food source for commercial shellfish. However, its significance extends far beyond its utility as a food source. Tom Harper's personal story highlights the unexpected discovery of phytoplankton's profound impact on human health and wellness. Tom Harper, a pioneer in the field, shares his story of how he discovered marine phytoplankton for human use and how it positively impacted his health and well-being.

The news of phytoplankton's restorative powers quickly gained traction and became the talk of the town, inspiring many to try it. This surge in popularity led to a plethora of personal accounts from individuals who experienced remarkable health transformations, shaping a new vision for the future of nutrition. 

Introducing Blugenics Gatitana Original

Gatitana Original has been available in Canada for the past eight years under the name “Karen Phytoplankton.” It has been extensively market-tested in thousands of pharmacies and retail chains, including Kroger and Costco. 

The drink was named in honor of David's mother, Karen Hunter, who sadly passed away from cancer in 1993. With its proven track record and impressive customer testimonials, Karen Phytoplankton established itself as Canada's best-reviewed supplement, and it was only 18% of the potency we are launching for you today.

Today, we are thrilled to introduce Gatitana Original to you. This formula boasts an even higher potency than the original formula. Its customer testimonial base is filled with inspiring stories of improved quality of life that would have been considered impossible in the past. Get ready to experience a new level of health and wellness that will revolutionize the way you think about nutrition and potentially transform your life.

For the first time in history, the plant that is the origin of life, food, and nutrition and sustains the oceanic ecosystem is available for us all. Introducing the original superfood, a raw enzyme-active marvel of nature that transcends conventional supplementation. 


Image: One example of the forthcoming landing pages for Gatitana Source: Markethive

The Power of Collaboration: A New Era in Health Marketing

The collaboration between Markethiive and Blugenics has enabled Gaditana Original to expand its reach and ship to four significant countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the Bahama Islands. More countries will soon open to help more people worldwide. 

This development brings a unique opportunity for people worldwide to experience the benefits of this ancient, original base food. Ironically, after centuries of being overlooked, it's only now that this plant is being recognized for its true value and offered in its pure form, marking a significant moment in history.

Gaditana Original is a truly unique product, and we're excited to introduce you to the exceptional platform that will help us share it with the world. Meet Markethive, a cutting-edge marketing powerhouse. Our comprehensive suite of tools encompasses a wide range of efficient customer and distributor acquisition methods, including capture pages, email marketing, social media, broadcasting autoresponders, press release platforms, viral blogging systems, and many more innovative solutions. These resources equip entrepreneurs with diverse tools to amplify their business growth and reach new heights. 

The Markethive team is currently building the group blogs, autoresponders, and capture pages for everyone to use that will all be coded to the individual group members. Leveraging the power of blockchain technology, these tools work in harmony to maximize their effectiveness, resulting in a powerful synergy that amplifies your team's success as the number of distributors grows.

By joining the Blugenics Customer Acquisition Group within Markethive, you're not just becoming part of a team but gaining access to a wealth of resources and support. Our systems are already built for you and are ready to help you and your teams start making progress immediately. We're here to support your journey to success, providing you with the tools and guidance you need to thrive. 

This partnership between Markethive, the premier marketing platform, and Blugenics, the ultimate superfood, creates a powerful synergy – a match made in heaven. If you're ready to enhance your capabilities and empower yourself, we cordially invite you to join us. Your journey to success starts here ➤ https://markethive.com/group/customeracquisition

 


 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

The Artist that came out of the Winter