Gold, Silver Can't Escape Raw Commodity Downdraft
(Kitco News) -Gold and silver prices are modestly lower in early-afternoon U.S. trading Tuesday. Goldfell to a six-month low and silver hit a four-week low today.
The preciousmetals have fallen victim to a general sell off in the raw commodity sectoramid fears of a major world trade war developing. Adding to downside pressureon the metals today is a surging U.S. dollar index that hit an 11-month hightoday. August Comex gold futures were last down $2.20 an ounce at $1,277.90.July Comex silver was last down $0.105 at $16.335 an ounce.
Worldand U.S. stock markets were solidly lower today as risk aversion is high afterthe Trump administration has threatened China with still more trade tariffs,and China has again responded with its own latest threats. The world’s twolargest economies appear headed for a full-blown trade war that couldsignificantly impact the entire world economy if the matter deteriorates.
Therewas some safe-haven demand seen for gold in overnight trading. However, goldand silver once again opted to trade in line with the raw commodity sector,instead of as safe-haven assets for much of the day today. I still suspect thatgold will garner at least some safe-haven demand if the trade situation withmajor U.S. trading partners deteriorates further.
Thekey “outside markets” today see the U.S. dollar index higher and hittinganother 11-month high today. Meantime, Nymex crude oil prices are lower andtrading just below $65.00 a barrel. The sell-off in the oil has been especiallybearish for the metals.
![Live 24 hours gold chart [Kitco Inc.]](http://www.kitco.com/images/live/gold.gif?0.2924175530478188)
Technically,the gold bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A nine-week-olddowntrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Gold bulls' next upside near-termprice breakout objective is to produce a close above solid technical resistanceat $1,300.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective ispushing prices below solid technical support at the December low of $1,251.90.First resistance is seen at today’s high of $1,286.80 and then at $1,293.10.First support is seen at today’s low of $1,272.60 and then at $1,265.00.Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5
![Live 24 hours silver chart [ Kitco Inc. ]](http://www.kitco.com/images/live/silver.gif)
Thesilver bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' nextupside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technicalresistance at last week’s high of $17.35 an ounce. The next downside pricebreakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at theMay low of $16.07. First resistance is seen at $16.50 and then at this week’shigh of $16.635. Next support is seen at today’s low of $16.24 and then at$16.07. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.0.
JulyN.Y. copper closed down 555 points at 305.10 cents today. Prices closed nearerthe session low. The copper bears have the overall near-term technicaladvantage amid the steep sell off recently. Copper bulls' next upside priceobjective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at 320.00cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices belowsolid technical support at the March low of 295.85 cents. First resistance isseen at 308.00 cents and then at 310.10 cents. First support is seen at today’slow of 304.10 cents and then at 301.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5.
By Jim WyckoffFor Kitco News
Follow @jimwyckoff
jwyckoff@kitco.comwww.kitco.com Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.