Share

Gold may crack $1 600 as Fed seen cutting rates four more times

Gold will surge above $1 600 an ounce as the Federal Reserve embarks on a quartet of interest rate cuts to combat slowing US growth and the fallout from the trade war with China, according to BNP Paribas SA, which flagged prospects for a significant rise in prices in the coming months.

Bullion will benefit as the Fed opts for four, 25 basis point cuts between this month and June 2020, Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity research, said in a note. As nominal yields fall with each reduction, “real rates will move and stay in negative territory, raising the appeal of holding gold,” he said.

Gold has soared this year on increased demand for havens as the US-China trade war damages global growth, prompting central banks including the Fed to adopt a more accommodative stance. In July, US policy makers reduced borrowing costs for the first time in more than a decade, and they are widely expected to do so again at their September 17-18 meeting. Against that backdrop, investors have boosted holdings in bullion-backed exchange-traded funds.

“The trade war is unlikely to be resolved quickly,” Tchilinguirian said. “In this context, gold has resumed its traditional role as a safe-haven asset” and holdings in ETFs are now heading toward peak levels seen in 2012, he said as BNP boosted price forecasts for this year and next.

Forecasts Raised

Gold will average $1 400 an ounce in 2019, up $60 from an earlier forecast, and $1 560 in 2020 following a rise of $130 in the outlook, BNP said in the note. The Fed’s easing cycle should push average prices above $1 600 in the first quarter of 2020, it said, adding: “We expect gold to rise significantly.”

Spot gold traded at $1 544.32 an ounce on Wednesday, up 20% this year. Prices hit $1 555.07 on August 26, the highest level since 2013.

The four cuts would reduce the upper bound on the Fed’s benchmark rate to 1.25%, in line with current forward rates at 1.2%, Tchilinguirian said. The US central bank “has acknowledged that risk mitigation relative to foreign conditions is part and parcel of its decision-making process.”

Investors will get more insight into monetary policy this week, with the New York Fed’s John Williams set to speak on Wednesday followed by Chair Jerome Powell on Friday. On Tuesday, Fed Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren said the US economy remains “relatively strong” despite heightened risks.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.96
-0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.92
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.35
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.1%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
+1.3%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders