Gold Set For Weekly Loss on Fed Jitters; Industrial Metals Gain

By Ambar Warrick 

Investing.com-- Gold prices fell on Friday and were set to close the week lower amid fears of more interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, while signs of tightening supply helped copper and aluminum prices weather a worsening economic outlook. 

Bullion prices sank well below $1,650 on Thursday - a key support level - after U.S. CPI inflation data read higher than expected for September. But they then rebounded sharply, tracking a broader risk-on rally that weakened the dollar.

Spot gold fell 0.3% to $1,661.98 an ounce, while gold futures fell 0.5% to $1,668.20 an ounce by 20:45 ET (00:45 GMT). But both instruments were set to lose 1.8% and 2.3%, respectively, this week. 

The outlook for gold was also clouded by hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data, which gives the Fed more impetus to keep hiking interest rates sharply. The yellow metal is likely set for more pressure from a stronger dollar in the coming months, as U.S. interest rates keep trending higher. 

Other precious metals were also set to end the week lower on that notion. Silver was down over 7%, while platinum shed 2.2% this week. 

Rising interest rates were the biggest weight on bullion prices this year, as higher yields increased the opportunity cost of holding gold.

But risk-driven markets rallied on Thursday amid hopes that U.S. inflation has peaked. Technical buying also triggered a stellar rally on Wall Street, aiding overall risk appetite. 

Industrial metals benefited from this. Copper futures rose 1% on Thursday, and were set to end the week over 2% higher.

On Friday, copper futures were up 0.1% at $3.4630 a pound. Prices were also boosted by signs that sanctions against Russia were beginning to cause a supply crunch, which is likely to boost the red metal in the coming days. 

Chile’s Codelco, the world’s largest copper miner, is reportedly selling copper to European buyers at a record-high premium, citing tightening supply conditions.

Aluminium also marked strong gains this week, driven up by tightening supply in the wake of sanctions against Russian production. The metal was set to add over 2% for the week. 

Weakening economic growth across the globe has weighed heavily on industrial metal prices this year.