Investing.com - Metals traders will remain focused on the dollar this week after comments by U.S. President Donald Trump on interest rates stalled a rally in the greenback on Friday, offering some relief to gold, which recovered from one-year lows.
Investors will also be looking ahead to Friday’s U.S. GDP report to see how the economy performed in the second quarter. The data is expected to show that growth rebounded in the three months to June, boosted by an increase in consumer spending.
Investors will also be monitoring developments in the intensifying global trade conflict.
Gold prices rose on Friday, paring back some of their weekly loss after Trump launched an attack on the Federal Reserve late Thursday, claiming that their plans to raise U.S. interest rates risked undermining his efforts at strengthening the economy.
Gold futures for August delivery settled up 0.65% at $1,231.90 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices had hit a one-year low of $1,222.22 on Thursday. For the week, prices ended down 0.81% and they have fallen 5.7% for the year so far.
Trump ratcheted up his criticism of the Fed on Friday, taking to Twitter to claim that tighter monetary policy was penalizing the U.S. by contributing to a stronger dollar.
He also accused China and the European Union of currency and interest-rate manipulation that he claims has put the U.S. at a disadvantage.
In addition, Trump indicated that he is prepared to slap tariffs on all Chinese imports to the U.S., worth around $500 billion per year, escalating a trade conflict between Washington and Beijing.
Gold prices have failed to garner much support despite growing risk aversion over trade tensions, suggesting the yellow metal is losing its safe haven status.
The dollar fell across the board on Friday, snapping a rally that had seen it hit one-year highs in the previous session.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, was down 0.77% at 94.25 in late trade.
It was the largest one-day percentage decline in three weeks, and was enough to turn the dollar index lower for the week and for the month. For the week, the index was down 0.29% and it is down 0.11% for the month to date.
A weaker U.S. currency makes gold and other dollar-denominated commodities less expensive for foreign investors.
Elsewhere in precious metals trading, silver settled up 0.99% at $15.55 a troy ounce, for a weekly loss of 1.58%.
Platinum settled at $828.90, 2.8% higher for the day, to end the week with a loss of 0.34%.
Among base metals, copper for July delivery ended at $2.751, up 2.06% for the day, trimming its losses for the week to 0.87%.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, July 23
The U.S. is to release data on existing home sales.
Tuesday, July 24
The euro zone is to release data on manufacturing and service sector activity.
Wednesday, July 25
New Zealand is to release trade data.
Australia is to produce data on consumer price inflation.
The Ifo Institute is to report on German business climate.
The U.S. is to release data on new home sales.
Thursday, July 26
The ECB is to announce its latest monetary policy decision. The announcement is to be followed by a press conference with President Mario Draghi.
The U.S. is to release reports on durable goods orders and initial jobless claims.
Friday, July 27
The U.S. is to round up the week with preliminary data on second quarter growth and a revised look at consumer sentiment.