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Gold Prices Tumble on Positive Vaccine News, ETF Outflows Accelerate

Gold Prices Tumble on Positive Vaccine News, ETF Outflows Accelerate

Margaret Yang, CFA, Former Strategist

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GOLD PRICE OUTLOOK:

  • Gold prices traded lower after Oxford/Astra released encouraging Covid-19 vaccine trial results, denting stimulus hopes
  • SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) sawan accelerated pace of redemption in recent weeks as gold prices fell
  • 81% of retail gold traders (within IG)are net long gold, whereas 19% are net short
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Gold prices fell to a 4-month low of US$ 1,825, primarily weighed by a string of positive vaccine news that raised prospects for a faster pace of economic recovery and thus less reliance on stimulus. Prices have likely broken a key support level at US$ 1,870 and thus may open the door for further downside potential with an eye on 1,809.

A coronavirus vaccine developed by the Oxford University and British-Swedish biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca showed an impressive 90% effective rate in preventing the disease. This marks a third promising vaccine candidate in November, following Pfizer and Modena. A key advantage of the Astra-Oxford vaccine is its relatively low cost – at £3 a dose – compared with more than £20 for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This means it might be a lot more affordable for emerging countries, especially those who face public health funding shortages.

A string of vaccine breakthroughs may point to less reliance on fiscal stimulusif they help to expedite the pace of economic normalization. Gold prices are particularly sensitive to stimulus prospects and the interest rate environment as gold is commonly perceived as a good store of value and hedge against fiat money. Since Pfizer first announced its vaccine news on November 9th, gold prices have fallen over 6.5%.

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SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) – the world’s largest gold ETF with a market cap of US$ 71.5 billion – saw an accelerated pace of redemption in recent weeks (chart below). This may reflect weaker demand for paper gold. The number of GLD shares outstanding has dropped from a recent peak of 437.5 million on October 14th to 415.6 million on November 23rd, marking a 5% drop. A reduction in the number of ETF shares suggests that redemptions have outpaced subscriptions, and this trend shows no sign of reversing any time soon.

Gold Prices vs. GLD ETF Shares Outstanding

Source: Bloomberg, DailyFX

On the political front, the US General Services Administration (GSA) filed a report to inform president-elect Joe Biden that it is ready to start the transition processon Tuesday. President Trump called on his departments to cooperate. This may mark a clearing of post-election uncertainties and catalyzed a further decline in gold prices. Joe Biden has nominated former Fed Chair Janet Yellen as the US Treasury Secretary, a position in which she may play a critical role in influencing US fiscal and tax policy to foster economic recovery and tackle inequality issues.

Technically, gold prices entered a three-month consolidation after reaching an all-time high in early August. The overall trend appears to bias toward the downside, as suggested by the formation of consecutive lower highs and lower lows. A decisive break below the US$ 1,870 support may lead to further losses with an eye on US$ 1,809 – a key support level.

Gold PriceDaily Chart

Gold Mixed
Data provided by
of clients are net long. of clients are net short.
Change in Longs Shorts OI
Daily -5% 2% -1%
Weekly -2% -7% -5%
What does it mean for price action?
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IG Client Sentiment indicates that retail gold traders are leaning heavily towards the long side, with 81% of positions net long, while 19% are net short. Traders have trimmed long (-7%) positions and added short (+10%) bets overnight. Compared to a week ago, traders have increased long (+5%) and reduced short (-4%) exposure.

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--- Written by Margaret Yang, Strategist for DailyFX.com

To contact Margaret, use the Comments section below or @margaretyjy on Twitter

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

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