For the first time in three weeks, applications for unemployment benefits have declined. This implies that corporations are steadily maintaining their current employees. From this, one can infer that economic strength continues to persist.

For the first time since March 2022 the Federal Reserve spoke of an upcoming pivot from its former highly restrictive monetary policy based upon aggressive rate hikes, to an accommodating stance based upon rate cuts.

Gold futures basis, the most active April contract (GC J24) gained $9.10 or 0.45% as of 4:40 PM ET.