Gold, silver down as USDX rallies, U.S. Treasury yields remain elevated

Gold and silver prices are lower in midday U.S. trading Thursday, pressured by a rally in the U.S. dollar index on this day and by U.S. Treasury yields that remain elevated. Gold down-ticked a bit more following the European Central Bank regular monetary policy meeting, at which the central bank kept its policy unchanged but said it will likely raise interest rates starting in July. August gold futures were last down $8.50 at $1,848.10. July Comex silver futures were last down $0.404 at $21.685 an ounce.

Global stock markets were mostly weaker overnight. U.S. stock indexes are weaker at midday. Trading in the stock indexes has been choppy recently, but the bulls still don’t have the power to start near-term price uptrends.

The other major data point of the week is Friday morning’s U.S. consumer price index report for May. The CPI is expected to be up 8.2%, year-on-year, after a rise of 8.3% in April. Many look for this report to run extra hot, which would be a markets-mover Friday morning.

Gold market is waiting for next week's Fed meeting - StoneX's O'Connell

The key outside markets today see Nymex crude oil prices slightly lower and trading around $121.50 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is weaker in early trading. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is fetching 3.2%.

Technically, August gold futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage but the bulls are still working on a fledgling price uptrend. However, they need to show more power soon to keep it alive. Bulls' next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $1,900.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,800.00. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of $1,862.40 and then at the June high of $1,878.60. First support is seen at this week’s low of $1,838.50 and then at the June low of $1,830.20. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0.

July silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $23.00 an ounce. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $21.00. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $22.165 and then at this week’s high of $22.565. Next support is seen at today’s low of $21.535 and then at the June low of $21.41. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.0.

July N.Y. copper closed down 865 points at 436.86 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. The copper bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. A three-week-old price uptrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at last week’s high of 457.70 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at 420.00 cents. First resistance is seen at today’s high of 445.15 cents and then at this week’s high of 447.20 cents. First support is seen at 435.00 cents and then at 430.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.5.

By Jim Wyckoff

For Kitco News

Time to buy Gold and Silver on the dips