Gold weaker as U.S. Treasury yields continue to climb

Gold prices are modestly down and hit another five-month low today, as U.S. Treasury yields are on the rise, with the 10-year note scoring its highest yield in 15 years, at around 4.3%. The present rally in the U.S. dollar index is another bearish element that have the gold and silver sellers in overall control. December gold was last down $5.20 at $1,923.20 and September silver was up $0.19 at $22.72.

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The minutes from the last FOMC meeting of the Federal Reserve, released Wednesday afternoon, reminded traders and investors that the Fed remains committed to bringing down U.S. inflation. The marketplace read the minutes as leaning hawkish. U.S. Treasury yields rose further following the release of the minutes, while the U.S. dollar index hit a nine-week high overnight. Gold prices dropped to a five-month low overnight.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index near steady on a pause from recent gains. Nymex crude oil prices are higher and trading around $81.00 a barrel.

Asian and European stock markets were mixed in overnight trading. U.S. stock indexes are weaker near midday.

In overnight news, China’s central bank said it will provide further stimulus to the listing Chinese economy. The central bank said it wants to prevent the Chinese yuan from further depreciation. The central bank also said it will coordinate financial support for local government debt risk and provide support to the housing market. The statements came from the People’s Bank of China second-quarter monetary policy report. China’s weakening economic growth has also been a drag on the precious metals market bulls, on weaker demand worries.

Technically, December gold futures prices hit another five-month low today. Bears have the firm overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a four-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $1,980.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,900.00. First resistance is seen at Wednesday’s high of $1,938.20 and then at $1,950.00. First support is seen at today’s low of $1,918.80 and then at $1,910.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5.

September silver futures bears have the firm overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a four-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $24.00. 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 $23.07 and then at $23.50. Next support is seen at this week’s low of $22.265 and then at $22.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5.

September N.Y. copper closed up 355 points at 369.30 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session high and hit a 2.5-month low early on today. Prices also scored a bullish outside day up today. The copper bears have the firm overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a fledgling downtrend on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at the July high of 402.40 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at the May low of 356.50 cents. First resistance is seen at today’s high of 371.95 cents and then at this week’s high of 374.90 cents. First support is seen at today’s low of 362.70 cents and then at 360.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.5.

By

Jim Wyckoff

For Kitco News

Time to Buy Gold and silver