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Gold Price Link to Treasury Yields Flashes Bullish Signal as Speculators Reposition

Gold Price Link to Treasury Yields Flashes Bullish Signal as Speculators Reposition

Gold, XAU, Treasury Yields, FOMC Bets, COT Positioning Data – Talking Points

  • Gold prices are trading mostly unchanged as Asia-Pacific markets fall
  • Treasury yields back at recent peak but gold prices are relatively strong
  • Bulls look poised to start pressing prices higher, per COT report data
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Gold prices are on a wild ride this year, with the yellow metal down sharply from its 2022 peak in March when it breached the 2,000 level. Prices are down around 20% since then and are trading almost unchanged on the day in Asia-Pacific trading. It has been a disappointing year for gold bugs, especially amid persistent inflation that boosted its bullish prospects in the eyes of many. But stronger-than-expected resolve from the Federal Reserve in its fight against inflation has tempered the trade.

The Federal Reserve remains adamant in its messaging: it will stop at nothing to achieve price stability. Despite failed attempts by investors to judge the turnaround point, market bets for the FOMC’s rate hikes appear maxed out. That and what looks like an impending era of a structurally higher inflationary environment is setting the stage for a price rally.

While much uncertainty remains, some notable signs in the market suggest XAU has put in its bottom. One example is the correlation between nominal Treasury yields and gold prices. The policy-sensitive 2-year rate is trading around 4.314%, putting it below the 4.314% high made in September when gold prices hit a multi-year low at 1,614.92, but just barely so. Despite the 2-year yield rising near that September high, gold prices remain near the 1,633 level, which is around 3% higher than the September low.

That signals an improvement in bullion sentiment. Moreover, if appetite for government bonds returns as markets conclude that the Fed’s rate hiking cycle is near its peak, yields are likely to fall. Gold, a non-interest-bearing asset, would then be facing a much-improved backdrop. The yellow metal looks poised to shine again.

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Gold Versus 2-Year Treasury Yield – Daily Chart

Chart, line chart  Description automatically generated

Chart created with TradingView

Speculators have already started to position themselves for this trade. Per the latest Commitments of Traders (COT) from the CFTC, gold speculators added 17,145 long contracts while exiting 27,3030 short contracts, which brought the net long position to around 90k. While that is only the highest net long setting since early September, it’s a positive sign. Earlier traders are the ones who sow the greatest returns.

Gold Overlaid Against COT Long/Short Speculators (COT) – Daily Chart

Chart, histogram  Description automatically generated

Chart created with TradingView

--- Written by Thomas Westwater, Analyst for DailyFX.com

To contact Thomas, use the comments section below or @FxWestwater on Twitter

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

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