AM-PM Roundup
Gold, Silver Down As Greenback Rebounds
(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are lower in early-afternoon U.S. trading Thursday, with gold back below $1,200.00. The U.S. dollar index has regained some footing and is trading solidly higher today after sliding lower most of this week, and that’s a daily negative for the precious metals markets. December gold futures were last down $9.40 an ounce at $1,193.90. September Comex silver was last down $0.21 at $14.54 an ounce.
Traders have pretty much digested Wednesday afternoon’s FOMC minutes, which said the Fed will very likely in September raise U.S. interest rates for the third time this year. The U.S. dollar was boosted by the FOMC minutes.
Another highlight of the trading week will be the annual meeting of world central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that begins late Thursday. Past years’ meetings have produced important proclamations from world central bankers. Fed Chairman Powell is slated to speak at the symposium.
The other key outside market today finds Nymex crude oil prices slightly lower and trading just below $68.00 a barrel.
![Live 24 hours gold chart [Kitco Inc.]](/images/live/gold.gif?0.2924175530478188)
Technically, gold bears still have the overall near-term technical advantage amid a price downtrend on the daily bar chart. Gold bulls' next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close in December futures above solid resistance at $1,226.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at the August low of $1,167.10. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of $1,203.40 and then at this week’s high of $1,208.40. First support is seen at this week’s low of $1,189.60 and then at $1,180.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.0
![Live 24 hours silver chart [ Kitco Inc. ]](/images/live/silver.gif)
September silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $15.50 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $14.00. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of $14.75 and then at this week’s high of $14.875. Next support is seen at the overnight low of $14.50 and then at the August low of $14.315. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.0.
