Gold Off Lows As Dollar Slips On Slowing US Wage Gains

NEW YORK, LONDON

Gold prices bounced off their lows on Friday after the US dollar slipped against most of its peers as slowing wage gains foreshadowed a gradual inflation increase this year.

US jobs growth posted its biggest increase in February in more than 1-1/2 years. Although the data increased the likelihood of interest rate rises, slower wage gains pointed to only a gradual increase in inflation.

The US dollar index was down slightly against a basket of currencies, making dollar-priced gold less expensive for purchasers with other currencies.

“Gold is (also) seeing some pent-up buying. Gold was showing over-sold conditions on the chart. I think the market was pricing in good news of better-than-expected jobs numbers,” said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures in Chicago.

Spot gold was unchanged on the day at $1,321.99 by 1:46pm. EST (1846 GMT) and on track to end the week unchanged.

US gold futures for April delivery settled up $2.30, or 0.2 per cent, at $1,324 per ounce.

“The strong headline payrolls numbers suggest the Fed may do a little more. I think there’s certainly no risk they’re going to do less than three (rate increases),” said Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist at Mizuho Securities USA in New York.

Gold is highly sensitive to rising US interest rates, because they make bullion less attractive since it does not pay interest.

Slow wage growth, however, could temper expectations that the Fed will raise its rate forecast to four hikes this year from three. There is optimism that tightening labour market conditions will spur faster wage growth and pull inflation toward the Fed’s 2 per cent target.

News that US President Donald Trump agreed to meet North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in what would be the first face-to-face encounter between the countries’ leaders somewhat pressured gold.

“If, with this news, the tension with North Korea is easing, it’s something that is, maybe not headwinds, but a mild breeze against gold,” said Norbert Rucker, head of commodity research at Julius Baer in Zurich.

The reaction has been muted because gold had failed to show strong safe-haven demand last year during months of insults exchanged over the North’s nuclear and missile programs, he noted.

Silver, meanwhile, increased 0.6 per cent at $16.60 an ounce, poised for a 0.6 per cent weekly increase. Platinum gained 1 per cent at $961.40 per ounce, ending the week down 0.4 per cent. Palladium was up 1.6 per cent at $992 per ounce, but unchanged from the prior week.