Gold, silver weaker as U.S. stock markets post good gains

Gold and silver prices are modestly down and near their session lows in midday U.S. trading Thursday. Solid gains in the U.S. stock indexes and a risk-on trading day today are negatives for the safe-haven metals. Chart-based selling is also featured in gold and silver today as the near-term technical postures for both metals tilt slightly toward the bears. April gold was last down $4.30 at $2,030.30. March silver was last down $0.114 at $22.77.

Early mild gains in gold were erased when the U.S. dollar index rebounded from its overnight losses and moved above unchanged on the day.

Asian and European stock markets were mixed but mostly firmer in overnight trading. Japan’s Nikkei stock index Thursday hit a record high for the first time in 34 years. U.S. stock index futures are higher and near the daily highs, with the S&P 500 futures and Dow Jones Industrial average hitting new record highs.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly up. Nymex crude oil prices are higher and trading around $78.75 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is presently fetching 4.325%.

Technically, April gold futures bears have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a 2.5-month-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at the February high of $2,083.20. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at the November low of $1,975.10. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $2,045.50 and then at $2,050.00. First support is seen at this week’s low of $2,023.90 and then at $2,007.60. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.5.

March silver futures bears have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. However, a nine-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart has been negated to suggest a market bottom is in place. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $24.50. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the February low of $21.975. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $23.20 and then at last week’s high of $23.56. Next support is seen at $22.50 and then at $22.25. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.5.

March N.Y. copper closed up 135 points at 388.85 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session high today. The copper bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage and have momentum. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid

technical resistance at the January high of 394.70 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at the February low of 365.50 cents. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of 390.85 cents and then at 394.70 cents. First support is seen at Wednesday’s low of 385.15 cents and then at this week’s low of 380.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.0.
 

Kitco Media

Jim Wyckoff

Time to Buy Gold and Silver