Gold prices had robust gain just moments after US president Donald Trump issued a warning to North Korea that the US will attack the country should it continue making threats against the US. The
comments come after reports emerged that North Korea has created a miniaturized nuclear weapon that fits into its missiles.
Moments after the US threats, Pyongyang gave a stern warning that it is looking into plans of launching a strike at a US military base in Guam. The escalating tensions between the two countries are making investors nervous and are shunning riskier assets such as high yielding currencies and stocks. Instead, they are flocking traditional safe havens assets like Gold, Yen and Swiss franc. Gold prices have jumped to 8-week
highs on Wednesday. New data shows that gold prices have already recovered from the massive losses in UK investors, US and Euro losses. However, it held flat for both Swiss franc and Japanese Yen.
Without major economic reports on Wednesday, various market players are looking ahead to the monthly inflation indicators. This is due in later this week with a possibility of fresh clues on what the next federal rate hikes are expected.
A report on US producer prices for last month is due to be released on Thursday, and the consumer price inflation report will be available on Friday. Gold has been well supported in the past few weeks. However, the possibilities of a third federal rate hike together with the deepening political turmoil in the US are boosting the appeal of Gold.
Gold is susceptible to the US rates moves. This is lifting opportunity costs for
holding non-yielding assets like Bullion.
The gradual path to higher federal rates is not a significant threat to
gold prices.
Comex gold futures realized an increase of $11.40 which translates to 0.9% to $1,274.11 per troy ounce. The gold dropped to $1,257.10 on Tuesday. This is the lowest level the prices have reached since July 26th this year.
According to Daniel Hynes, the Australian bank ANZ’s analyst, the tension is providing some small support to the gold prices. However, it is not enough to increase the gold prices significantly from where they are currently. The gold market is not in the middle of any war or attack hence the sharp and steady rise in prices.
In January 1991 before the gulf war, gold prices had steadily risen for many months. But, the day the US-led coalition launched its attack, gold prices fell $40 in a row. It was a 10% move that took the market by storm.
Gold prices immediately jumped following the comments by North Korea concerning Guam and the initial comments by the US president.
