Gold declines as dollar rises, investors retreat

Gold fell yesterday as the dollar rose and investors sold on expectations of stronger global economic growth and higher US interest rates, while deadly incidents in Turkey and Germany failed to spur safe-haven buying.

Spot gold was down 0.4 percent to $1,133.25 an ounce at 1114 GMT. Last week it fell to $1,122.35, its lowest since early February. US gold futures slipped 0.6 percent to $1,135.30 per ounce.

The dollar was trading near 14-year highs after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen reinforced expectations for a faster pace of US interest rate rises next year than had been expected.

Higher US rates could mean further gains for the US currency, which when it rises makes dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies.

“A strengthening US and global economy, the dollar going up, higher equities and rising US bond yields are negative for gold,” said Societe Generale analyst Robin Bhar.

“The Fed was more hawkish than we expected ... But it is surprising not to see some safe-haven buying after the events in Berlin and Turkey.”

Higher US Treasury yields mean it’s cheaper for investors to buy US government Treasuries, which like gold are seen as risk-free. But unlike gold which earns nothing and costs to insure and store, Treasuries earn regular coupons. Investor confidence in the global economy can be seen in holdings of the SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, which at 828.10 tonnes on Monday is down more than 13 percent since Nov. 9.

Traders say some profit-taking on short positions could see gold recover over the next few days, but they expect any gains to be limited and short-lived.

Also weighing on gold is the prospect of weaker physical demand in top consumer India where retail demand has faltered due to the government’s move to scrap high-value currency notes. — Reuters