• As investors continued to reduce their bets on US rate cuts, gold prices hovered around a four-week low, staying around $4000.
  • While the ISM Services PMI reached an eight-month high, US private ADP payrolls increased by 42,000 in October, above projections of a 25,000 increase. Given that inflation is currently higher than expected and that important labor data is being delayed by the government shutdown, the numbers confirmed forecasts that there is little opportunity for further rate decreases.
  • The longest U.S. government closure in history is the result of a congressional impasse, forcing markets and the data-dependent Fed to rely on private sector statistics.
  • A number of Fed officials have been speaking in a hawkish manner lately, which is consistent with Chair Powell’s recent comments that the most recent rate cut may be the final one for the year.

Technical Triggers

  • Gold prices are expected to consolidate in the range of $3900 (~Rs 117,500) to $4060 (~ Rs 122,500) for the next few days, so buy on dips and sell on rallies.
  • Silver prices are expected to consolidate in the range of 45.5(~Rs 140,000) and $49 (~Rs 150,000) for the next few days, so buy on dips and sell on rallies.

Dr.Renisha Chainani, Head- Research, Augmont