Gold hits another record high on Fed rate cut bets

April 01, 2024 | 15:07

(0) user say

Gold hit another fresh record high Monday as investors grow confident that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year, even after data showed a slight uptick in a key inflation report.

Gold hits another record high on Fed rate cut bets, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

The precious metal has enjoyed healthy buying interest this year as the US central bank hints at an easing of credit conditions.

It hit a new high of $2,265.73 on Monday, according to Bloomberg News.

On Friday, the closely watched personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index -- the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation -- showed a small on-year rise in March compared with February, though the core reading eased slightly.

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said the report was "pretty much in line with our expectations" and decision-makers were on track to hit their long-term inflation target of two percent.

He said that, while the recent inflation data was higher than the Fed would have liked, the February figures were "definitely more along the lines of what we want to see".

The data appeared to have little impact on traders' expectations for a June interest rate cut, though Powell warned they were unlikely to fall to the levels seen after the 2008 global financial crisis.

Adding to the upward pressure on prices is its demand as a safe haven in times of turmoil owing to growing geopolitical tensions, with concerns that Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza will spread further.

An air strike in Lebanon Sunday stoked further tensions, with Israel saying a Hezbollah missile unit commander had been "eliminated".

Israel and the Iran-backed group have been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire for months.

Traders are also keeping a close eye on developments in the long-running Ukraine conflict.

Because bullion does not generate any interest, it benefits when central banks lower borrowing costs because its safe-haven status makes it more attractive to investors.

Bitcoin hits fresh record above $71,000

Bitcoin hit a fresh record above $71,000 on Monday as demand for the cryptocurrency picks up amid optimism that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year.

Gold hits fresh record above $2,200 on rate cut hopes

Gold rallied to a fresh record above $2,200 on Thursday as traders welcomed a Federal Reserve signal that it would cut interest rates three times this year.

US Fed's favored inflation gauge falls, but price pressures remain

The US central bank's favored measure of inflation edged lower on an annual basis in January, government data showed Thursday, but a metric stripping out volatile food and energy prices jumped month-over-month.

US Fed expected to keep rates on hold and debate timing of cuts

The US Federal Reserve could provide additional clues on Wednesday about how much it will cut interest rates this year, but it is almost certain to leave its key lending rate unchanged for the time being.

By AFP

What the stars mean:

★ Poor ★ ★ Promising ★★★ Good ★★★★ Very good ★★★★★ Exceptional