Gold prices surge to five-year high on US Fed rate cut signals

Bengaluru — Gold prices surged to their highest in more than five years on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve signaled a possible interest rate cut as early as next month, pressuring US treasury yields and the dollar.

Spot gold was up 1.6% at $1,380.96 an ounce as of 12.13pm GMT, after hitting its highest since March 17, 2014 at $1,386.38. Gold prices have gained about $80 so far this month. US gold futures jumped 3% to $1,389.10 an ounce, after touching their highest since April 2018 at $1,397.70.

“The driver for the surge is obviously the Fed delivering the dovish tilt that the market was looking for. It removed the ‘patience’ approach to cutting rates,” Saxo Bank commodity strategist Ole Hansen said.

On Wednesday, the Fed signaled interest rate cuts beginning as early as July, saying it is ready to battle growing global and domestic economic risks as it took stock of rising trade tensions and growing concerns about weak inflation.

Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion and weigh on the dollar, making gold cheaper for investors holding other currencies.

The Fed’s rate signal came before meetings at other major central banks in Asia and Europe that were expected to flag similar moves. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Australian central bank, this week, had signaled more policy stimulus was needed.

“We are seeing interest rate expectations being reduced so dramatically because economic data is not moving up to previous strengths and that has also raised questions of how much further stock markets can continue to benefit from these rate cuts,” Hansen said.

Even though the US Fed has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged for now, the shift in the Fed’s view since its last policy meeting weighed on the dollar and US treasury yields.

Meanwhile, China’s commerce ministry said top Chinese and US officials would resume trade talks in accordance with the wishes of their leaders, but China hopes the US will create the necessary conditions for dialogue.

Silver gained 1.2% to $15.34 an ounce, after hitting its highest since March 27 at $15.40. Platinum rose 1.2% to $820.26 an ounce, while palladium was 1% higher at $1,515.02 an ounce, having hit a 12-week high of $1,531.38 earlier in the session. 

Reuters