Gold, low interest rates and volatile currencies

Gold is in a primary up-trend, after ranging sideways for several years, fueled by low interest rates and volatile currency markets.

The chart below highlights the inverse relationship between gold and 10-year Treasury yields. When LT interest rates fall, the gold price surges.

Spot Gold in USD compared to Real 10-Year Treasury Yields

At present, 10-year Treasury yields are close to record lows, testing long-term support at 1.50%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

Yields in Germany and Japan are much lower, having crossed below zero, and the opportunity cost of holding physical assets such as Gold is at record lows.

Negative Bond Yields in Germany & Japan

Volatility in currency markets is another factor driving demand for Gold.

China’s Yuan is testing support at 13.95 US cents. Breach is likely, especially if US-China trade talks break down again, and would signal continuation of the primary down-trend. A weak Yuan fuels Chinese demand for Gold.

CNYUSD

The Dollar Index continues to edge higher, boosted by the current trade turmoil. A strong Dollar is likely to weaken demand for Gold but Trend Index peaks below zero warn of selling pressure.

Dollar Index

Gold is testing support at $1495/ounce. Breach would warn of a correction, while breakout above the descending trendline would indicate another advance.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is similarly testing support. Breach of $17.50/ounce would warn of a correction.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is trending lower. Breach of 7200 would warn of another decline, with a short-term target of 6500, while recovery above 8000 would suggest another advance.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Patience is required. Gold is in a long-term up-trend, with a target of the 2012 high at $1800/ounce. A correction would offer an attractive entry point.

Gold: Reasons for the up-trend

Gold is in a medium- to long-term up-trend. Apart from record central bank purchases of bullion and a weakening Chinese Yuan, real long-term interest rates are declining.

The chart below highlights the inverse relationship between gold and real long-term interest rates (10-year Treasury yield minus CPI YoY%). When LT interest rates fall, gold prices surge.

Spot Gold in USD compared to Real 10-Year Treasury Yields

Treasury yields are falling because the Fed is cutting short-term interest rates but, more importantly, because QE has resumed. With the ECB driving bond yields into the negative, demand for Treasuries is surging.

The Fed has also reversed course, expanding their balance sheet after the recent liquidity squeeze forced them to resume overnight repos.

Fed Total Assets and Excess Reserves on Deposit

Our target for Gold is the 2012 high of $1800/ounce.

A weak rally strengthens the bearish argument for China’s Yuan, suggesting continuation of the primary down-trend.

CNYUSD

The Yuan is in a long-term down-trend against the Dollar that shows no signs of easing. Resolution of trade tensions is unlikely. Trade is merely the tip of the iceberg in a far wider clash between two global powers with conflicting ideologies which is likely to continue for decades.

Gold is testing support at $1495/ounce. Breach would warn of a correction.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is similarly testing support. Breach of $17.50/ounce is likely and would warn of a correction, with Gold expected to follow.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is trending lower. Breach of 7200 would warn of another decline, with a short-term target of 6500.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Patience is required. Gold remains in a long-term up-trend and a correction may offer a sound entry point.

Gold consolidates as the Yuan plunge continues

The Yuan’s plunge against the US Dollar is accelerating, with a short-term target of 0.1380. This is likely to elicit more tariff threats from the US — China has already been labeled a currency manipulator — as the trade war spirals out of control. There is no resolution in sight. Like a brush fire, trade wars are easy to start but difficult to extinguish as attitudes on both sides harden.

CNYUSD

A falling Yuan will increase capital flight, boosting demand for Gold. Spot Gold is consolidating above $1500/ounce. A Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure. Respect of support at $1500 is likely and would signal another advance. Our target is the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

The recent strong advance on Silver supports our bullish outlook for Gold. The two tend to move in tandem.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is surprisingly weak, testing support at 7500 despite a falling Aussie Dollar. Breach of 7500 would warn of another decline, with a target of 6000/6500, but the primary trend is expected to remain upward. The dip is likely to present a good buy opportunity.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

The Australian Dollar decline is testing support at 0.68 against the greenback. Our long-term target is 60 cents (calculated by subtracting (80-70) from 70) which should support a stronger $XGD.

Australian Dollar

Gold spikes as Yuan falls

China has broken its unwritten guarantee that the PBOC will maintain the Yuan below 7 to the US Dollar. Official fixings for USDCNY crept above 7.0 this week, indicating the PBOC is no longer prepared to support its currency.

USDCNY

This is a two-edged sword. While it makes exports cheaper, counteracting the effect of US tariffs, it makes imports more expensive, spiking inflation. It is also likely to spark capital flight, as evidenced by the sharp spike in Gold.

Spot Gold broke resistance at $1450, surging to $1500/ounce. A narrow consolidation at $1500 is likely, signaling further gains. The Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure.

Spot Gold in USD

The next major resistance level is the 2012 high of $1800/ounce.

Gold rallies as the Dollar retreats

A tall shadow on the Dollar Index warns of selling pressure. Breach of the new support level at 98 would indicate a test of the rising trendline at 96. A Trend Index peak below zero warns of selling pressure. A weakening Dollar will increase demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

Spot Gold is testing resistance at $1440/1450 after consolidating above short-term support at $1400. A Trend Index trough above zero indicates buying pressure. Breakout above $1450 is likely and would offer a short-term target of $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Gold: The rally continues

The Dollar Index is testing resistance at 98; breakout would offer a target of 100. The stronger Dollar has softened demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

Silver is retracing to test its new support level after breakout above $16. Respect of support at $16 would signal an advance to $17.50. Gold and silver tend to move in unison.

Spot Silver in USD

The Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, is retracing after a strong rally. A correction of short duration would be a bullish sign, suggesting another advance.

Gold Bugs Index

Spot Gold continues to consolidate above short-term support at $1400, indicating buying pressure. Upward breakout is likely and would offer a medium-term target of $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Gold: Every cloud has a Silver lining

Long-term interest rates are declining after more dovish speeches from the Fed, with 10-year Treasury yields re-testing support at 2.0%. The opportunity cost of holding gold is low.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index is likely to weaken, testing primary support at 95. A weakening Dollar boosts demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

A big gain in Silver this week is likely to be followed by a similar move in Gold. The two precious metals tend to move in unison. Breakout above $16.00/ounce signals an advance to $17.50.

Spot Silver in USD

Gold is consolidating above short-term support at $1400 after a strong advance, indicating buying pressure. Another advance is likely, with a medium-term target of $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Gold buying pressure

Long-term interest rates close to zero after inflation, with 10-year Treasury yields testing support at 2.0%, means that the opportunity cost of holding gold is minimal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

A weakening Dollar Index is expected to test primary support at 95, further boosting demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

Gold found short-term support at $1400 after a strong advance, indicating buying pressure. Respect of support at $1350/$1400 would offer a medium-term target of $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Gold tests support

The Dollar Index found short-term support at 96. The medium-term target is primary support at 95.

Dollar Index

Gold retraced to test short-term support at $1400. This is a primary advance. Respect of $1350/$1400 would signal a test of the medium-term target at $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Dollar dives and Gold soars

The Dollar Index penetrated its rising trendline and is headed for a test of support at 95.

Dollar Index

The falling Dollar boosted Gold. Breakout above resistance at $1350 indicates a fresh advance, with a medium-term target of $1500/ounce. Retracement that respects the new support level ($1350) would strengthen the bull signal.

Spot Gold in USD