Gold has shown little change on Friday, continuing the lack of activity we've seen throughout the week. In the European session, the spot price is at $1315.50 per ounce in the European session. On the release front, today's highlight is Revised UoM Consumer Sentiment, with the markets expecting another strong reading in May.
On Friday, Ukraine signed an association agreement with the EU, which strengthens economic and political ties between Ukraine and the EU. Earlier in the year, the decision by the Ukrainian president not to sign the deal led to widespread riots and the installation of a new government in Kiev. Predictably, Russia is upset about the trade deal and has warned about consequences if its economic interests are harmed as a result of the agreement. The situation remains tense in eastern Ukraine, and a flare-up in violence could rattle the markets and affect gold, which tends to gain ground on geopolitical instability.
XAU/USD displayed little response to US Unemployment Claims, which has not shown much movement in the month of June. The key indicator came in at 312 thousand, slightly better than the estimate of 314 thousand. Earlier in the week, GDP shocked the markets with a five-year low and durables softened as well. GDP dropped by 2.9%, much worse than the 1.8% loss expected by the markets. Core Durable Goods Orders declined by 0.1%, its first decline in five months. The estimate stood at 0.3%. Durable Goods Orders looked even worse, coming in at -1.0%, shy of the estimate of -0.1%.
XAU/USD June 27 at 9:30 GMT
- XAU/USD 1315.50 H: 1322.26 L: 1314.31
XAU/USD Technicals
| S3 | S2 | S1 | R1 | R2 | R3 |
| 1275 | 1300 | 1315 | 1331 | 1354 | 1375 |
- Gold edged higher late in the Asian session but has surrendered these gains in European trading.
- On the downside, XAU/USD is testing 1315. This is followed by support at the round number of 1300.
- 1331 is the next resistance line.
- Current range: 1315 to 1331.
Further levels in both directions:
- Below: 1315, 1300, 1275, 1260 and 1231
- Above: 1331, 1354 and 1375 and 1417
OANDA's Open Positions Ratio
XAU/USD ratio has pointed to gains in Friday trade. This is not reflected in the pair's movement, as gold is almost unchanged. The ratio is made up of a majority of long positions, reflecting trader bias towards gold prices moving higher against the greenback.
XAU/USD Fundamentals
- 13:55 US Revised UoM Consumer Sentiment. Estimate 82.2 points.
- 13:55 US Revised UoM Inflation Expectations.