CENTRAL BANKS’ GOLD PURCHASES MAY RISE BY 300% THIS YEAR
This week, news about the European Union is driving major market movement. Today is no exception, as we watch the reaction after the European Central Bank cut its key lending rate by a quarter-point, from 1.25% to 1%. What the long-term result will be is uncertain. But the knee-jerk reaction undoubtedly will cause a ripple in the markets. Still, tomorrow’s news might make today’s seem unimportant. “At one moment, the glass on the outcome of the EU summit is half full, a bit later it is half empty,” wrote strategists at KBC Bank.
This week, Gold prices have remained mostly flat, struggling to sustain any upward momentum. This is not uncommon when some investors prefer to hold U.S. dollars. One analyst explains that a positive outcome of this week’s EU summit would be supportive of Gold, simply because the dollar would weaken versus the euro. Bullion holdings by individuals are on the rise in Europe, where Gold investment jumped 33% in the third quarter from a year ago. Marcus Grubb, managing director for investment research at the World Gold Council, said central banks across the globe are adding to their reserves at a record pace that might reach 450 tons this year. Last year, central banks and government institutions bought 142 tons of Gold.
In the U.S., weekly jobless claims fell by 23,000 to 381,000. This is a better number than the expected drop of 9,000. Stock futures have remained mostly higher after the report, while precious metals prices have started to dip.
At 8 a.m. (CST), the APMEX precious metals spot prices were:
- Gold - $1,733.40 – Down $9.40.
- Silver - $32.51 – Down $0.11.
- Platinum - $1,517.60 – Down $5.40.
- Palladium - $674.80 – Down $10.70.