Gold futures tick higher on tariff uncertainty and short-term monetary policy outlook. Futures are up 0.2% at $3,233.60 a troy ounce, near Friday’s record high of $3,263/oz.
The uncertainty both boosted gold’s safe-haven demand and weakened the U.S. dollar as an alternative safe asset, further enhancing gold’s appeal, Commerzbank says.
Source – Wall Street Journal
Source – Money Metals
“What we have seen is the change in the motive for safe-haven buying – from being driven by the Middle East uncertainty to the threat and realisation of tariffs,” said Philip Newman, managing director at consultancy Metals Focus.
“Strikingly, gold was rallying as inflation eased, and it looked as though all of our understanding of how gold prices behaved was being challenged,” said independent analyst Ross Norman.
Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP SA, said that while prices could break out towards $3,200, resolution of physical gold dislocations attributed to tariffs and potential structural changes including reduced risk appetite, reduced participation and reduced liquidity are increasingly bearish.
Source – Reuters
Bear (in finance) – is an investor who believes that a particular security or the broader market is headed downward and my attempt to profit from a decline in stock prices. Bears are typically pessimistic towards a state of any given market or underlying economy.
Australia’s Gold Road Resources rejected a $2.1 billion takeover proposal from Gold Fields, calling the offer opportunistic following a drop in quarterly production.
The all-cash proposal was made earlier this month against a backdrop of surging gold prices, which recently surpassed $3,000 a troy ounce for the first time as economic uncertainty fuels demand for the metal as a perceived safe haven.
“Gold Fields will continue to seek the engagement of the Gold Road board to consider the merits of the proposed acquisition and to advance the proposal,” said Mike Fraser, chief executive of Gold Fields.
Source – Wall Street Journal
The Missouri legislature has passed a bill that would allow the state government to accept gold and silver as payment for taxes and other transactions
The legislation, led by Republicans, would require state government entities to accept electronic versions of gold and silver, called “electronic specie currency,” as payment for taxes and public debts. The bill doesn’t require businesses to accept gold and silver as payment for private uses, but it would allow them to do so.
“The goal is about restoring economic and political freedom back to everyday Missourians,” state Rep. Bill Hardwick (R) said.
Source – Just The News
SA analyst World Gold Council stated: “While gold may face some consolidation due to the speed of its latest move, the combination of geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainty, rising inflation, lower rates, and a weaker US dollar continue to provide powerful tailwinds to investment demand,”
“I recommend buying assets that track the price of gold… Inflation had been on an upward trend, but the lower-than-expected reading in February added more uncertainty to investors. Additionally, recession fears could lead the Fed to cut interest rates. All these uncertainties drive up gold prices,”
Source – Seeking Alpha
The one-of-a-kind 18-carat gold toilet was swiped in under five minutes from Blenheim Palace, the sprawling English country mansion where British wartime leader Winston Churchill was born, in the predawn hours of September 14, 2019, a prosecutor told jurors Monday.
The toilet has never been recovered but is believed to have been cut up and sold.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Source – CNN
I thought this was interesting and thought I’d share. I’m not entirely surprised that something was stolen I am surprised that the burglars got away with the darn thing! I feel like this is actually kinda funny but hopefully justice will be served. – V.