They expect the Fed will raise rates by a quarter percentage point at its Dec. 18-19 meeting while dialing back the number of moves next year to two, in March and September, from the three hikes economists saw in September. Median responses in the Dec. 7-11 poll also anticipate one additional hike in mid-2020 when the rate would peak in this tightening cycle at a target range of 3 per cent to 3.25 per cent.
United States
Gold Prices Gains as Dollar Weakens, U.S. Rate Hike Prospects Fade
Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,244.40 per ounce as of 1:41 p.m. EST (1841 GMT). U.S. gold futures settled up $2.80, or 0.22 percent, at $1,250.
Gold Edges Lower as Dollar Steadies, Equities Up
Spot gold was down 0.2 percent at $1,243.91 per ounce, as of 0415 GMT, while U.S. gold futures were 0.1 percent lower at $1,249.3 per ounce.
Breaking News – Saudi Arabia to cut output by 900,000 Barrels a day in January – Neal Bhai Market Analyst
Gold Silver Reports (GSR) – Futures rose above $52 a barrel in New York. The industry-funded American Petroleum Institute was said to report U.S. crude supplies fell 10.2 million barrels last week, according to people familiar with the data. Earlier, oil settled higher on renewed optimism that announced production cuts from the OPEC+ coalition will re-balance global markets, while Libya’s biggest field remained shut, taking supply off line.
Spot Gold May Rise into a Range of $1258-$1266 per Ounce
Spot gold may rise into a trading zone of $1258—$1266 level per ounce, as it has broken a resistance at $1245, Technical Analyst Neal Bhai.
Global stocks extended their slump on worries over slowing growth and fears that a fresh flare-up in tensions between U.S. and China could quash chances of a trade deal.
Gold Slip on Profit Taking, Firm Dollar – GSR
Spot gold fell 0.2 percent to $1,235.57 per ounce at 0823 GMT, while U.S. gold futures were 0.1 percent lower at $1,240.8 per ounce.
Slowing Demand and a Supply Glut to Drain Oil’s Gains in 2019: Reuters Poll
A survey of 38 economists and analysts forecast Brent crude LCOc1 to average $74.50 a barrel in 2019, lower than the $76.88 outlook last month. The poll predicted Brent would average $73.20 in 2018, mostly in line with the $73 average for the global benchmark so far this year.