The bears appear to be moving in. Eager to retain their stranglehold on bullion, they are now placing gold in a very vulnerable position.
Though gold posted its biggest rally since October on Monday, with spot gold trading at $1,105.13, up 2.25%, traders maintained that prices continued to trade sideways above support near $1,080. Goldbugs have been advised to keep a close eye on $1,075.
On Monday, the Canadian stock market also received a lift from upbeat economic reports from the United States, China and Europe.
Analysts maintained that upbeat manufacturing data for the euro zone helped lift the euro and pressure the dollar. And a strong report from China failed to fuel recent fears that Beijing might further tighten lending to cool its growth.
Traders noted that as long as global interest rates stay near historic lows and boost the available supply of money in the financial system, gold would continue to receive support.
According to a study by the World Gold Council, "roughly 29% of the movement in the price of gold is attributable to money supply."
But in Tokyo, gold prices softened a touch on Tuesday morning, still hovering near $1,105/oz. after posting their biggest daily gain in three months in the previous session boosted by an oil rally and dollar weakness.
Much remains uncertain as the market continues to digest the many economic parameters tracking global demand.
Had it not been for the healthy appetite from physical buyers on Monday, gold would have slid below its solid support.
Gold futures rose Monday as some participants re-entered the market in search of bargains after the metal lost ground for the past two months.
Although gold is traditionally seen as a safe haven in turbulent times, it has been behaving much like other assets recently. It stumbles even with a slight sell-off in financial markets.
Notable Quotes
"Drilling the remaining strike length could more than double INM's La Cigarra resource." (5/22/13) International Northair Mines Ltd. - The Gold Report Interview with Maria Smirnova More >
"BAR's Bug Lake zone has grown by 350m and remains open." (5/14/13) Balmoral Resources Ltd. - Erik Bermel, M Partners More >
"ROG's Burkina Faso deposit will be easy to mine, inexpensive to build and very profitable." (5/20/13) Roxgold Inc. - The Gold Report Interview with Brent Cook More >
"Our rating for GWG remains a Strong Buy; the risk is worth taking." (5/17/13) Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. - Jon Hykawy, Byron Capital Markets More >
"SVB will be the next silver company to be taken out." (5/17/13) Silver Bull Resources Inc. - Bob Moriarty, 321 Gold More >
Bears Around the Corner
Source: Gold Investing News, Kishori Krishnan (2/2/10)
". . .roughly 29% of the movement in the price of gold is attributable to money supply."
More Experts
"Drill results from BAR's Martinière indicate a growing, fertile gold system." (5/13/13) Balmoral Resources Ltd. - Eric Lemieux, Laurentian Bank Securities More >
"We reiterate our Buy recommendation on SVL." (5/16/13) SilverCrest Mines Inc. - Kwong-Mun Achong Low, Jennings Capital More >
"TGZ's Q1/13 production and reduced spending positively impacted NAV." (5/16/13) Teranga Gold Corp. - Barry Allan, Mackie Research Capital More >
"We continue to rate shares of MND Outperform." (5/16/13) Mandalay Resources Corp. - Chris Thompson, Raymond James More >
"NGC is one of the few graphite companies to have completed a feasibility study." (5/15/13) Northern Graphite Corporation - Ron Struthers, Resource Stock Report More >
The Gold Report