Long and short factors interwoven, precious metals futures consolidate at highs, market awaits guidance from Jackson Hole speech [SMM Precious Metals Macro Analysis]
This week, the macro front remained mixed, with an overall pattern of consolidation at highs. Early in the week, carrying forward the residual effect of the Ministry of Finance's expansion of government bond repurchases, alongside the weakening US dollar and ETF inflows, futures rose overall. Mid-week, futures consolidated at highs, as the escalation of the US-Canada tariff war boosted safe-haven sentiment and provided support. Late in the week, with PCE data being neutral to slightly hot, the easing of US-Iran tensions, and pre-Jackson Hole caution, futures pulled back. In the short term, inflation stickiness, high US Treasury yields, and policy uncertainty still pose pressure; however, the rising visibility of debt risks, intensifying trade frictions, and central bank gold purchases provide medium and long-term bottom support, limiting downside space. Focus on the Jackson Hole speech by Warsh and guidance from the September FOMC meeting.