By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)
April 01, 2016 01:52:07 AM
(Kitco News) - Gold prices ended the U.S. day session moderately higher Thursday, on some bargain hunting buying interest following recent selling pressure. The precious metals are also benefiting from an eroding U.S. dollar index, which dropped to a 5.5-month low today. Even though trading in the gold market has turned choppy recently, the bulls are still maintaining the overall near-term technical advantage. June Comex gold was last up $7.20 at $1,235.60 an ounce. May Comex silver was last up $0.244 at $15.455 an ounce.
Global stock markets were under some pressure Thursday, on this last trading day of the month and of the quarter. U.S. stock indexes were slightly high in afternoon trading. This week’s sell off in many raw commodity markets, led by crude oil, is a bearish element working against stock market bulls. It appears the bullish effects of Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s perceived very dovish monetary policy comments on Tuesday have quickly dissipated.
In overnight news, inflation in the Euro zone remains troublingly low. Eurostat’s flash estimate showed annual inflation in the region was at minus 0.1% in March, following a reading of minus 0.2% in February. The March number was in line with expectations. However, the European Central Bank wants to see an annual inflation number for the Euro zone of up 2.0%.
The U.S. dollar index traded lower again Thursday and hit a 5.5-month low. The greenback bears are having a good week so far, and have taken back all of last week’s gains. Meantime, Nymex crude oil futures prices were slightly higher in afternoon trading, and hovering just above $39.00 a barrel.
Traders and investors are awaiting Friday morning’s U.S. employment report for March from the Labor Department. This report is arguably the most important economic report of the month. The key non-farm payrolls number is expected to show a rise of just over 200,000 in March. Trading in many markets could become volatile in the immediate aftermath of the jobs report.
Courtesy: Kitco news
