Gold, silver down on profit taking, firmer USDX
Gold and silver prices are lower near midday Wednesday, on some profit-taking pressure from the shorter-term futures traders. A firmer U.S. dollar index today is also a negative outside-market element for the metals. April gold was last down $57.20 at $5,183.40. May silver prices were down $4.172 at $85.445.
The metals markets got a U.S. consumer price index report today that came out mostly in line with market expectations and had no significant markets impact. February CPI came in at up 0.3%, month-on-month and up 2.4%, year-on-year. The “core” reading (minus food and energy) was up 0.2%, month-on-month and up 2.5%, year-on-year.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index higher, with Nymex crude oil prices up and trading around $86.50 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is presently around 4.2 percent.
Note: The gold market operates through two primary pricing mechanisms. The first is the spot market, which quotes prices for on-the-spot purchase and immediate delivery. The second is the futures market, which sets prices for delivery at a future date. Due to year-end positioning market liquidity, the December gold futures contract is currently the most actively traded on the CME.
Technically, April gold futures bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at last week’s high of $5,434.10. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $5,000.00. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of $5,248.70 and then at $5,300.00. First support is seen at Tuesday’s low of $5,127.10 and then at $5,100.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 7.0.
May silver futures bulls see their next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $95.86. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the February low of $71.815. First resistance is seen at this week’s high of $90.385 and then at $92.50. Next support is seen at $84.00 and then at $82.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.5.
