Gold gains on weak dollar, but off 2-week high on robust U.S. data

02 September,2020

Gold prices edged up on Tuesday as a weaker dollar countered some pressure from the better-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data, which pulled the metal down from a two-week high.

Spot gold was up 0.1% to $1,971.61 per ounce, having earlier hit its highest since Aug. 19 at $1,991.91. U.S. gold futures settled marginally higher at $1,978.90 per ounce. 

“The main reason (for gold’s rise) right now is the weaker dollar. But, a better-than-expected ISM number took some shine off gold this morning,” Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures said.

The U.S. dollar was holding close to a more than two-year low, making gold cheaper for holders of other currencies. U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated to a more than 1-1/2-year high in August, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) data showed.

″(The better data) doesn’t necessarily change the picture for the U.S. Federal Reserve. The trend (in gold) is still higher,” Haberkorn added.

The U.S. central bank last week announced an average inflation target policy, which will allow rates to stay low even if inflation rises a bit in the future.

Gold should be supported in this environment of firming inflation expectations, which is driving down real rates, and a weakening U.S. dollar, said Daniel Ghali, commodity strategist at TD Securities.

Bullion is seen as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement, while lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.