Gold

Gaining 82 points on the day resulted in the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at a new record high of 26,743.50.  This is the second consecutive day in which the Dow traded to a new all-time high. This strong risk-on market sentiment coupled with dollar strength put tremendous downside pressure on gold pricing today.

You might not know it by just looking at the net change of gold futures today, but it is dollar weakness that is keeping the current selloff in gold curtailed. Currently, the most active Comex contract (December) is trading up $3.60 on the day and fixed at $1211.90.

Gold futures closed higher on the day, with the most active Comex contract (December) currently up $5.40 at $1,208.30. However recent pricing in gold can be best characterized by the tight and narrow trading range, with major support at $1,190 and major resistance at $1,218.

As was widely expected, yesterday President Trump made good on his word to implement an additional $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods imported into the United States. In response to his action, the Chinese government added tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. imports. It seems, at least for now, both governments are using big sticks with no carrots in sight.

As of 4:00 PM Eastern standard time, market participants continue to focus upon the current trade dispute between the United States and China as they await news from the administration in regard to whether the United States will impose additional tariffs.

Gold pricing took a moderate hit today with the most active December Comex contract losing $9.40 to be currently fixed at $1,198.80 per ounce. After trading to its highest level this month when gold traded to $1,218 yesterday, a surge in dollar strength today put dramatic pressure on gold pricing.

Both gold and the U.S. dollar closed lower on the day as the current trade dispute between the United States and China continues to be unresolved, and the increased probability that Trump will impose additional tariffs is heightened.

Last week it was all about the potential that President Trump would implement more tariffs on Chinese imports which moved the dollar higher and continued to put pressure on gold prices. Today it is all about talks which have the potential to resolve the current trade dispute between the United States and China.

Although gold futures closed higher for the first time in the last three sessions, any gains realized today were fractional at best. As of 4:00 PM Eastern standard time, December Comex gold futures are currently fixed at $1,201.30, which is a net gain of $1.50 on the day.

In lighter than usual holiday trading, gold futures are trading just above $1,200. As of 4:30 PM Eastern standard time, gold futures are up $0.30 and currently fixed at $1,200.70. Spot gold is currently fixed at $1,195.10, after accounting for a net decline of $1.10 today.