
Why gold and uranium prices are surging right now
BNN Bloomberg
Gold tumbled this week after new U.S. economic data bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will be slow to lower interest rates.
Spot bullion had a volatile week as investors analysed the data, before trading down 0.14 per cent at US$2,159 an ounce as of 12 p.m. in Toronto. Gold hit an all-time high of $2,195.15 last Friday.
The shift to lower interest rates is broadly expected to be bullish for gold as the precious metal will become comparatively more attractive compared to bonds, which are currently generating high yields because of high central bank rates.
But that shift won’t happen until central banks cut lending rates, which they’re reluctant to do until they see more proof inflation is heading back toward 2 per cent.

A key question hangs over the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting that ends Wednesday: Will central bank policymakers still reduce short-term interest rates this year, now that the Iran war has sent oil prices higher and gas prices spiking? Or will they have to stand pat for months to see how the conflict plays out?

Oil tankers are crossing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s actions to choke traffic through the shipping route have not hurt the U.S. economy, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Tuesday, reiterating the Trump administration’s position that the war should be over in weeks, not months.











