The Gold price is trading positively in Friday’s Asian session, with uncertainties surrounding the US presidential election and ongoing geopolitical tensions providing some support to the precious metal. However, rising US treasury bond yields and a stronger US Dollar might weigh on the gold price. Traders are closely watching the US October employment report, including the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP), Unemployment Rate, and Average Hourly Earnings for fresh impetus. A stronger outcome could prompt bets for less aggressive policy easing by the Federal Reserve, putting pressure on the non-yielding yellow metal.
According to Han Tan, chief market analyst at Exinity Group, Gold is expected to maintain its upward bias and could reach $2,800 as long as US election risks continue to impact market sentiment and Fed rate cut expectations remain intact. The US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, rose 2.1% on a yearly basis in September, in line with market expectations. The core PCE Price Index, excluding volatile food and energy prices, jumped 2.7%, matching August’s rise and exceeding market estimates. Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending October 26 fell to 216K, below the forecast of 230K, with markets showing almost 100% likelihood of a 25 basis points rate cut by the Fed in the November meeting.
Technically, the Gold price remains strong in the longer term, with a strong bullish trend on the daily timeframe supported above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is above the 50-midline, indicating further upside potential. The all-time high and psychological mark in the $2,790-$2,800 zone poses a challenge for Gold bulls, with a break above indicating a potential rally to $2,850. On the downside, initial support stands at $2,715, with additional support levels at $2,624, $2,600, and $2,500.
Labor market conditions play a crucial role in assessing an economy’s health and driving currency valuation. High employment rates positively impact consumer spending, economic growth, and currency value. Wage growth is important for policymakers as it influences consumer spending and inflation levels. Different central banks have varying mandates regarding labor market conditions, with some directly linked to controlling inflation. Labor market conditions serve as a gauge of economic health and their relationship to inflation is significant for policymakers.
Gold prices are influenced by various factors such as geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, and monetary policy decisions. As a safe-haven asset, Gold tends to rise during times of instability but can also be impacted by interest rates and the value of the US Dollar. A strong Dollar usually suppresses the price of Gold, while a weaker Dollar tends to push Gold prices higher. Overall, Gold prices are often tied to market conditions, economic data, and geopolitical events that impact investor sentiment and market dynamics.