Global slowdown adding sheen to gold

New Delhi Gold prices have seen support due to the current economic data in the US, Emkay Wealth Management said in a report.

The latest data set has led to a belief that the US Fed will take a pause and hold interest rates at current levels. The treasury yields too have softened from the high levels seen in the month of March.

While the Fed Chairman indirectly hinted at the possibility of a pause, the other Fed officials, quite a number of them, sounded like there is enough room for the Fed funds rate to rise even beyond the six per cent level, from the current range of five per cent -5.25 per cent. The improving labour market and the unemployment levels in the US indicate the underlining strength of the economy. Going forward the action from the US Fed will provide cue and the likely movement of gold prices, the report said.

Inflationary pressures may not be completely over for the Fed. While the larger consensus is the central bank may pause in its June meeting. Any rise in retail prices may force the central bank to tighten rates. Any hike in rates may lead to softness in gold prices, the report added.

What had initially given support to gold prices were the uncertainties surrounding the growth prospects of the global economy. The tight money policies pursued by the central banks are expected to pull down the rate of economic growth in most economies. A slowdown enveloping the larger economies could put gold in the spotlight as safe haven and also as something that retains value even in uncertain times, the report said.

While gold is expected to hold well at the support levels, much would depend on the fortunes of the US economy.

The first point is that the recession may be a touch and go, and if that is going to be the actual case, then gold will be able to make only limited gains. The recent data from the US is still mixed.

Second, there is still no final statement from the Fed on the trajectory of policy rates. It is still to evolve further over the next two FOMC meetings.

Third, the buoyancy created by money flowing into ETFs is missing at present. And finally, there will be limited diversification in the existing investment portfolios given the assessment that conditions will be the same across territories, and a diversification away from the US or developed markets is not feasible at this juncture, the report said.

Safe Haven Demand

• Gold may make limited gains if recession is a touch and go case

• Fed decision on policy rates to evolve over nxt two FOMC meetings

• Buoyancy created by money flowing into ETFs is missing at present

• Limited diversification in existing portfolios likely