Gold price falls from new record as traders book profits

Gold’s rollercoaster ride continues. Stock image.

Gold touched another new high on Thursday before falling heavily as some investors booked profits after the metal’s latest record-setting rally.

Earlier in the day, spot gold set a new record of $2,789.90 an ounce, but later fell by as much as 2% as the selloff began. By 1:15 p.m. EDT, it was down 1.6% to $2,742.08 per ounce.

Meanwhile, US gold futures declined 1.8% to $2,752.10 per ounce, having crossed the $2,800 mark during the trading session.

Still, gold remains on pace for a fourth straight monthly gain, highlighting its ascent in 2024 and status as one of the best-performing commodities of the year so far.

New US data

Gold’s rollercoaster ride follows the release of strong US economic data that boosted the chance of a cautious approach to interest rates in the months ahead. Another rate cut would bode well for the non-interest-bearing bullion.

Fresh data showed overall inflation in the US came in at 2.1%, the lowest since early 2021 and just above the central bank’s 2% goal. Inflation-adjusted consumer spending advanced 0.4%, an acceleration from the prior month supported by continued growth in wages and salaries.

Prior to Thursday’s movement, gold had surged by more than a third this year, buoyed by global central bank buying and haven demand amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

The recent advance had taken the metal’s 14-day relative-strength index above 70, a level that can suggest the market has become overbought, according to Bloomberg analysis.

The tight US presidential race is also creating uncertainty that’s underscoring bullion’s role as a place of safety for investors. The Nov. 5 election may open gold up to a correction of more than $100 an ounce, said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S.

(With files from Bloomberg)

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