For the last time in 2016, the Federal Reserve will meet for their regularly scheduled FOMC meeting. Although it is not etched in stone, it is highly anticipated that there will be an interest rate hike announcement immediately following the conclusion of their meeting on Wednesday.

US equities continued to gain value throughout the week, trading to new record highs almost on a daily basis. A revitalized optimism and strong economic data fueled one of the most robust rallies in US history. According to Bloomberg News, consumer sentiment is at its highest point since January 2015.

As we spoke about yesterday, there is truly a divergence between the actions and the policies of the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. This chasm continues to widen.  Whereas the United States is currently winding down its monetary stimulus program, the ECB is initiating new rounds of quantitative easing.

The US equities markets, which began to rally immediately following the US presidential election held last month, continue to rise. Today, we witnessed the return of the equity bulls, resulting in a new, all-time record high close for both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500.

Once again, both gold and silver prices are at a crossroad. On a technical basis, they are at a critical support level. Whether or not prices at these defined support levels hold will be a great indicator as to the next big move in gold and silver pricing.

“Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen, and keep your eyes wide, the chance won’t come again. And don’t speak too soon for the wheel’s still in spin, and there’s no telling who that it’s namin’.”

Bob Dylan

Years from now, historians will put into perspective the transitional changes that began a mere twenty-four days ago. They will have the luxury of hindsight, with knowledge of the outcome. They will be able to see the cause-and-effect pattern that resulted from the policies, which were implemented by an untested businessman, who rose to the most powerful position on earth.

Ten – Ten, the two critical numbers gold traders are looking at closely.

Since the presidential election was held on November 8, we have seen a dramatic decline in gold prices. Downside pressure continues to dominate precious metals pricing as a whole, resulting in gold prices now moving to a ten month low.

Today the Federal Reserve released the Beige Book, a collection of antidotes from business contacts in the Fed’s 12 regional districts. Published eight times a year, the Beige Book is created to aid Federal Reserve members. Most significant from today’s report is the discussion of an economy that is continuing to grow.

Today traders witnessed a return of the dynamic rally in US equities which began just following the presidential election on November 8. Although today’s advance did not take the Dow Jones industrial average or the Standard & Poor’s 500 to new all-time highs, they did signal a strong potential for a continuation of their current rally.