Gold Heads for Traditional August Seasonal Low

By: Mark_OByrne

Gold finished trading in New York yesterday at $899.20, down $9.10 and silver was down 37 cents to $17.13. Gold continued to sell off in Asia and in early European trading.

Gold has sold off on oil's steep falls and with sharp falls in many other commodity markets. The CRB Reuters Jefferies Commodity Index was down 3% yesterday, its largest one day sell off since last March (cocoa, natural gas and sugar were down sharply) and falling oil prices and a firmer dollar (back to 1.55 against the Euro) has led to gold's sell off.

Asian stock markets were down overnight on continuing concerns about the health of the U.S. economy, the world's largest, but European stock markets are firm this morning.

Continuing concerns regarding the health of the US financial system and the global economy should result in gold remaining above strong support which remains at the 200 day moving average at $887. A close below $887 could see us retest support at $850-$860.

Also real concerns that the credit crisis is beginning to spread from subprime to credit card debt, car loan debt and to prime mortgage debt should result in gold again being well supported above the old resistance at the old all time nominal record high at $850.

Gold's traditional July / August seasonal low will likely take place in the coming days. Last year, the low took place in the second week of August (as per the chart below) and we would not be surprised if another summer low is experienced in the coming days prior to the traditional seasonal rally into the autumn months. This should result in gold rising to at least $1,000/oz in the coming weeks.



Today's Data and Influences
The Federal Reserve, caught between the credit crisis, mounting job losses and a slowing economy on one side and rising inflation on the other, is likely to sit tight and hope that the interest rate cuts it has already provided will be enough to heal a sick economy. The general view is that rates will remain on hold at 2.00% but the FOMC statement will be crucial in terms of setting the tone. Later in the week, the ECB and BoE are expected to leave rates unchanged.

Gold and Silver
Gold is trading at $885.20/885.70 per ounce (1100 GMT).
Silver is trading at $16.70/16.74 per ounce (1100  GMT).

PGMs
Platinum is trading at $1556/1566 per ounce (1100  GMT).
Palladium is trading at $345/349 per ounce (1100  GMT).

By Mark O'Byrne, Executive Director

Gold and Silver Investments Ltd. have been awarded the MoneyMate and Investor Magazine Financial Analyst of 2006.

Mission Statement
Gold and Silver Investments Limited hope to inform our clientele of important financial and economic developments and thus help our clientele and prospective clientele understand our rapidly changing global economy and the implications for their livelihoods and wealth.
We focus on the medium and long term global macroeconomic trends and how they pertain to the precious metal markets and our clienteles savings, investments and livelihoods. We emphasise prudence, safety and security as they are of paramount importance in the preservation of wealth.

Financial Regulation: Gold & Silver Investments Limited trading as Gold Investments is regulated by the Financial Regulator as a multi-agency intermediary. Our Financial Regulator Reference Number is 39656. Gold Investments is registered in the Companies Registration Office under Company number 377252 . Registered for VAT under number 6397252A . Codes of Conduct are imposed by the Financial Regulator and can be accessed at www.financialregulator.ie or from the Financial Regulator at PO Box 9138, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. Property, Commodities and Precious Metals are not regulated by the Financial Regulator

Disclaimer: The information in this document has been obtained from sources, which we believe to be reliable. We cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. It does not constitute a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any investment. Any person acting on the information contained in this document does so at their own risk. Recommendations in this document may not be suitable for all investors. Individual circumstances should be considered before a decision to invest is taken. Investors should note the following: The value of investments may fall or rise against investors' interests. Income levels from investments may fluctuate. Changes in exchange rates may have an adverse effect on the value of, or income from, investments denominated in foreign currencies. Past experience is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

All the opinions expressed herein are solely those of Gold & Silver Investments Limited and not those of the Perth Mint. They do not reflect the views of the Perth Mint and the Perth Mint accepts no legal liability or responsibility for any claims made or opinions expressed herein.

© 2005-2022 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.