Gold prices hit record high on rate cut cheer; copper rallies on China stimulus

Investing.com– Gold prices hit record highs in Asian trade on Tuesday, extending a recent run of gains amid persistent optimism over U.S. interest rate cuts, with focus turning to more upcoming cues this week.

Among industrial metals, copper prices rose sharply after the Chinese government announced a barrage of stimulus measures, raising hopes of an economic recovery in the world’s biggest copper importer. 

Gold surged to record highs after a bumper rate cut by the Federal Reserve last week, with the prospect of further cuts presenting more upside for the yellow metal. 

Mixed purchasing manager index readings from several major economies also boosted demand for gold, as did continued tensions in the Middle East. 

Spot gold rose 0.3% to $2,638.31 an ounce, while gold futures expiring in December rose 0.3% to a peak of $2,660.80 an ounce. 

Gold rises with focus on more Fed cues 

The yellow metal remained upbeat on the prospect of lower rates, with a string of more cues from the Fed due in the coming days.

Several Fed officials said on Monday that they supported the bank’s 50 basis point cut last week, but expected its pace of cuts to slow in the coming months. But analysts at Citi said they expect at least 125 bps of cuts by the year-end. 

More Fed officials are set to speak this week- most notably Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday.

Focus this week is also on PCE price index data- the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge- which is due on Friday. The reading is expected to show inflation remaining above the Fed’s target range in August. 

Lower rates bode well for gold, given that they reduce the opportunity cost of investing in non-yielding assets. The dollar and Treasury yields sank after the Fed’s decision, enabling more gains in gold. 

Other precious metals rose on Tuesday but mostly lagged gold in recent sessions. Platinum futures rose 1.1% to $971.20 an ounce, while silver futures rose 1.1% to $31.430 an ounce. 

Copper prices rally on China stimulus cheer 

Benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.6% to $9,702.50 a ton, while one-month copper futures surged 2.1% to $4.4380 a pound. 

China announced a barrage of stimulus measures on Tuesday, with standouts being a 50 bps cut in bank reserve requirements and a cut in rates for existing mortgages. 

The measures ramped up hopes that economic growth in the world’s biggest copper importer will improve, in turn fueling its appetite for copper.

But a slew of mixed purchasing managers index readings from across the globe limited copper’s ascent, given that they showed a decline in manufacturing activity.