Precious Metals Hold Steady Ahead Of Pivotal Economic Events

EDITOR'S NOTE: It was a tense Tuesday on Wall Street. Comex gold and silver futures prices are holding steady, frozen in the spotlight of an economic drama about to unfold. Traders in the precious metals market are on the edge of their seats, their eyes glued to the unfolding narrative of U.S. government and economic developments. Will the meeting between President Biden and congressional leaders lead to a raised or suspended debt ceiling? Will the April Consumer Price Index report confirm the anticipated 5.0% year-on-year increase? It's a high-stakes game, and all eyes are on the players. As the curtain rises on this economic stage, gold takes a bold step forward with a slight increase, while silver dips its toe with a marginal decline. The global stock markets, in response, are a mixed bag, with U.S. stock indexes showing a touch of weakness at midday. As we wait for the next act, this article brings you a detailed, play-by-play analysis of the gold, silver, and copper futures, charting the course of their potential highs and lows. 

(Kitco News) - Comex gold and silver futures prices are not straying too far from unchanged levels at midday Tuesday. Precious metals traders are very tentative ahead of important government and economic developments in the U.S. that will soon come into play for the marketplace. June gold was last up $0.80 at $2,034.00 and July silver was down $0.059 at $25.775.

President Biden later today meets with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders to discuss raising or suspending the U.S. debt ceiling. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers last week the U.S. could default on its debt as early as June 1 if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt limit before that time. No progress at today’s meeting would likely cause at least a bit of marketplace anxiety.

The U.S. data point of the week is Wednesday morning’s April consumer price index report, which is expected to come in at up 5.0%, year-on-year, which would be the same as reported in the March CPI. The April core CPI is forecast up 5.5% versus up 5.6% in the March report. A Federal Reserve banking lender survey released Monday showed bankers have curtailed loans to customers, which is likely to help tame inflation.

Global stock markets were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are weaker at midday. Trading has turned choppy and sideways in the stock indexes.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index higher. Nymex crude oil prices are lower and trading around $72.00 a barrel. Meantime, the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield is presently fetching 3.52%.

Source: Kitco News

Technically, June gold futures bulls have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a 2.5-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at the record high of $2,085.40. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,980.00. First resistance is seen at $2,050.00 and then at $2,063.40. First support is seen at this week’s low of $2,022.00 and then at last Friday’s low of $2,007.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 8.0

Source: Kitco News

July silver futures bulls have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $27.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $24.00. First resistance is seen at $26.00 and then at the April high of $26.435. Next support is seen at today’s low of $25.57 and then at $25.25. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 8.0.

July N.Y. copper closed down 345 points at 389.50 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session low. The copper bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at 408.00 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at the January low of 372.45 cents. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of 395.95 cents and then at last week’s high of 400.50 cents. First support is seen at this week’s low of 387.65 cents and then at the April low of 381.65 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0.

Originally published by: Jim Wyckoff on Kitco News