Gold jumps as global stocks retreat; palladium hits all-time high

GOLD rose one percent on Tuesday to its highest level in over three months as the dollar weakened and global stock markets tumbled, with rising political and economic uncertainties adding to bullion’s appeal.

Palladium soared to a record high, bringing the precious metal to within striking distance of achieving parity with gold and with additional support from expected renewed demand from China’s automotive sector.

Spot gold was up one percent at $1,233.21 an ounce at 1:47 p.m. EDT (1747 GMT), having earlier touched its highest since July 17 at $1,239.68.

US gold futures rose 0.9% to $1,236.10, also helped by positive currency fundamentals as the dollar turned lower.

“It’s the sell-off in the stock markets today and a weaker dollar which is helping gold prices,” said INTL FC Stone analyst Edward Meir.

“The main thing to watch on gold is the turbulence in the equity markets, especially if it is sustained. If you get continued declines like this, gold should pick up,” Mr. Meir said, adding that $1,260 is the next resistance level on the charts.

Wall Street followed a slide in European and Asian stock markets, pressured by disappointing corporate earnings, Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic crisis and a dispute over Italy’s finances.

The European Commission rejected Italy’s draft 2019 budget on Tuesday, saying it brazenly broke European Union rules on public spending, and asked Rome to submit a new one within three weeks or face disciplinary action.

“The outlook for gold is quite constructive with the metal quite resilient even with a strong dollar,” said Tai Wong, head of precious and base metals trading at BMO. “I just don’t see anything serious to sell gold here.”

Gold prices have gained more than 6% after falling in mid-August to $1,159.96 an ounce - their lowest since January 2017.

“We have a whole series of situations in connection with Saudi Arabia and Russia, and trade tensions between US and China, and that has been having a knockdown impact on equities and, in turn, providing support to gold prices,” said Capital Economics analyst Ross Strachan.

Holdings at SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed, exchange-traded fund, rose 0.3% on Monday to 747.88 tons.

Among other precious metals, palladium was up 1.8% at $1,141.49 an ounce after hitting a record $1,150.50 an ounce. Used mainly in emissions-reducing autocatalysts for vehicles, palladium has gained some seven percent so far this year. Silver rose 0.8% to $14.72, while platinum was up 1.6% at $832.80. —