Maybe it is fear of the Fed, maybe it is the distraction of cryptocurrencies reaching for infinity. Whatever the issue, speculators in precious metals are in rapid retreat as net long contracts for gold and silver dropped to levels not seen in 4 to 5 months.
Silver speculators are once again in full-scale retreat as net long contracts drop to their lowest levels in 5 months.
While gold speculators are not in full-scale retreat, net long positions have not been this low in 4 1/2 months.
In an earlier post, I discussed the implications of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest decision and discussion on monetary policy. The market seemed disappointed that the Fed was not more hawkish, but the week ended with sentiment for rate hikes picking up more steam. Perhaps the firming prospects of a very stimulative U.S. tax reform bill also firmed up expectations for a bevy of rate hikes.
If 2018 does indeed become a year of rate hikes, especially among other global central banks, the year could become a “lost year” for precious metals…at least until the rate hikes start to make market participants think about recession risks…and future rate cuts.
Expectations for the Fed to next hike rates in March increased 10 percentage points seemingly in the wake of tax reform news.
Note that the futures have priced in a second rate hike for September.
Unlike the June rate hike, the precious metals sold off going into the December rate hike. SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE:GLD) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) have now rallied like the sellers exhausted themselves in anticipation of the Fed’s rate hike.
The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) rallied through the Fed’s rate hike in a move that may have successfully tested the 15-month lows in July.
The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) also rallied through the Fed rate hike. GLD is also already facing down looming resistance from its 50 and 200DMAs.
Normally, I would rush into a new set of long trades with an assumption that a sustainable bottom just happened. However, given the strong global growth story building for 2018, I am going to pass on this round.
If GLD and/or SLV manage to break out above resistance, I might reconsider my positioning especially if speculators are getting back on the wagon. In the meantime, I will continue holding my core positions as usual.
Be careful out there!
Full disclosure: long GLD and SLV