Comm: Precious
(New York)
Gold has been doing well recently. Between global trade turmoil, a falling economy, and decreasing yields, the metal has thrived. Here are three reasons the gains won’t reverse. The first is that the stock market continues to look risky, meaning gold’s allure as a safe haven seems assured. Secondly, yields on bonds have a definitively downward direction, which makes gold more attractive. Finally, inflation is unlikely to stay low forever. When it starts to rise, it would give investors another reason to bet on gold instead of bonds.
FINSUM: We don’t really think inflation will be much of a factor for gold in the immediate term, but the first two points are material.
(New York)
Gold had a great start to the year, but has since fallen back and is now down 1% in 2019. That’s said, there are some encouraging signs. Global demand for gold rose 7% from a year ago in Q1, and inflows to gold ETFs rose 49% versus the same stretch in 2018. Summer is a seasonally weak period for gold, but the metals outlook is going to be highly dependent on central bank action.
FINSUM: To be honest, we do not see a bullish scenario for gold right now. There are neither worries about an economic meltdown or high inflation, so the two big drivers for gold to move sharply aren’t there.
(New York)
Gold is an interesting asset class right now. Everyone knows it has been in the doldrums for many years, but with recession fears brewing, and rates falling, the outlook is an interesting one. Goldman Sachs thinks gold is headed higher. Their thesis is that late cycle worries and falling rates will combine to push up the shiny metal. Falling rates will weaken the Dollar, further helping overseas buyers purchase gold.
FINSUM: In general, we like this thesis. However, we think gold would do better if there was more worry about a huge downturn/crisis, which there doesn’t seem to be. Fears right now are about a standard recession, which would help gold, but maybe not be ultra bullish.
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(New York)
2019 is shaping up to be a rough year for markets. Growth is weakening, inflation may rise, and the tax cuts’ contributions to earnings and GDP are going to fade. With that in mind, the Wall Street Journal is arguing that gold is likely to be the “best house in a bad neighborhood” next year. One research analyst summarizes gold’s outlook like this, saying “Being long gold has been a tough investment since 2012, and so often, when we see the yellow metal gaining traction, the [U.S. dollar] regains its mojo, and we see the inevitable reversal … However, as we look into our crystal ball and gaze into 2019, emerging warning signs can be seen that suggest 2019 could be the year where gold bulls finally get their day in the sun”.
FINSUM: If asset classes all become correlated and are trending downward, there is a view to gold doing well. However, we are worried about inflation and rates rising, both of which would strengthen the Dollar, and in turn hurt gold.
(New York)
It might come as no surprise, but that does not mean it isn’t noteworthy. Alongside the big surge in volatility this month, gold has risen considerably. The precious metal has risen 3.2% this month to $1,230 per ounce, no small feat considering that stocks initially started falling because of worries about rising rates. Gold has been shunned for most of the year as stocks rose, but is now being sought out as a haven from volatility. An analyst at UBS summarized the situation this way, saying “Price action in the past couple of weeks has shown signs that gold is slowly reasserting its role as a safe haven … In the near term, a pullback in the dollar, weakness in equities and the potential for a soft patch in US data would be upside catalysts for gold”.
FINSUM: Gold rising when the Dollar is strong and rates are being hiked is quite noteworthy. It will be interesting to see how fast gold might fall if this correction in stocks reverses.