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Gold and silver prices are solidly higher in midday U.S. trading Thursday, amid a big U.S. economic data dump that culminates with Friday morning's U.S. jobs report. The precious metals are boosted today by ideas the Federal Reserve may pause in its interest-rate-hiking cycle. August gold was last up $15.80 at $1,997.90 and July silver was up $0.403 at $23.985.
The Wall Street Journal reported today the Fed is likely to pause in its rate-hiking cycle at the June FOMC meeting, before raising rates again later this summer. That's a shift from the consensus marketplace belief just recently that the Fed would again raise rates at the June FOMC meeting. However, a "sizzling jobs report" on Friday would throw cold water on the Fed pause, said the Journal report.
There was a very heavy U.S. economic data slate Thursday. The data was a mixed bag but the ADP national employment report for May did run hot, showing a rise of 278,000 jobs—well above market expectations. Traders are now looking ahead to the Labor Department's employment situation report for May on Friday morning. The key non-farm payrolls number is seen coming in at up 190,000 compared to the April non-farm jobs number of up 253,000.
Asian and European stock markets were mostly higher overnight. U.S. stock indexes are higher at midday. The marketplace has been assuaged by the U.S. House of Representatives handily passing the government debt-ceiling-extension deal reach between Republicans and Democrats. The measure now goes before the Senate and is expected to also pass.
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The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index solidly lower. Nymex crude oil prices are solidly higher and trading around $71.00 a barrel. These two outside markets were also bullish elements for the metals markets today. Meantime, the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield is presently fetching 3.677%.
Technically, August gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls' next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $2,050.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at this week's low of $1,949.60. First resistance is seen at $2,008.00 and then at $2,020.00. First support is seen at $1,985.00 and then at today's low of $1,970.10. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5
July silver futures bulls and bears are back on a level overall near-term technical playing field. A four-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart has been negated. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $22.00. First resistance is seen at $24.40 and then at $24.75. Next support is seen at today's low of $23.355 and then at $23.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.0.
July N.Y. copper closed up 800 points at 371.70 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session high. Short covering was featured. The copper bears still have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are still in a six-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at 390.00 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at 350.00 cents. First resistance is seen at today's high of 373.15 cents and then at 377.50 cents. First support is seen at this week's low of 362.20 cents and then at 360.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0.
By
Jim Wyckoff
For Kitco News
