Fundamental Forecast for Gold: Neutral

Gold prices are markedly lower this week with the precious metal down 1.70% to trade at 1281 ahead of the New York close on Friday. The losses come amid a rebound in the dollar with the DXY up more than 0.5%. Equities also continued to outperform with all three major U.S. indices closing higher on the week as U.S. tax policy headlines continuing to prop broader risk appetite.

Heading into next week traders will be closely eyeing the release of key U.S. data prints with September durable goods orders and the first read on third quarter GDP on tap. Consensus estimates are calling for an annualized 2.6% q/q print on growth with the core personal consumption expenditure (PCE), the Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation, expected to rise to 1.3 q/q.

Markets remain firm on a December rate-hike with Fed Fund Futures now pricing a more than 90% likelihood for an increase of 25bps before the close of the year. That said, an in-line print next week would unlikely move the needle for the outlook of monetary policy and the risk remains weighted to the downside on the dollar should the data miss. As it pertains to gold, look for strong data to limit topside advances near-term and while prices look vulnerable into the start of the week, the broader outlook remains constructive.