Crude oil prices continue to struggle for a lasting directional lead, with the WTI benchmark oscillating in a narrow range having touched a five-month high earlier in the week. Even an EIA report showing inventories shed 1.85 million barrels last week – a rosy outcome even compared with similarly supportive API data, to say nothing of consensus bets on a 2.5 million barrel build – failed to rekindle upward momentum.
A lull in top-tier news flow might make it all the more difficult to find direction in the near term. Still, it ought to be kept in mind that the absence of a clear focal point capturing the markets’ undivided attention makes for a headline-sensitive environment prone to knee-jerk volatility. That means traders may pounce on something relatively benign, like a vague comment floating the possibility of extending OPEC-led output cuts.
Gold prices are facing heavy selling pressure as mounting Fed rate hike speculation translates into parallel gains for Treasury bond yields and the US Dollar. That understandably undermined support for non-interest-bearing and anti-fiat assets epitomized by the yellow metal. A revised set of second-quarter US GDP figures is now in focus, but anything shy of a surprise downgrade may pass without fireworks.
GOLD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Gold prices are setting fresh monthly lows after an aborted attempt at a recovery. From here, a daily close below the 50% Fibonacci expansion at 1279.01 exposes the 61.8% level at 1270.84. Alternatively, a move back above the September 21 bottom at 1288.28 targets the 23.6% Fib at 1297.28.
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Chart created using TradingView
CRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Crude oil prices continue to mark time, digesting gains after breaking above the May 25 highat 51.97. The next significant level of resistance lines up in the 53.74-54.48 area. Alternatively, a move back below 51.97 – now acting as support – opens the door for a retest of the August 1 high at 50.40.
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