Gold prices are more unpredictable than ever

8 sept

The first week of September culminated in the US jobs report for August. Non-farm payrolls for the US economy increased by 142,000 jobs, up from 114,000 in July, although weaker than the market median estimate of 160,000 (Reuters). US Treasury yields and the US dollar (USD) fell on the news; markets also priced in a 120 basis point cut by the end of the year and nearly 40 basis points for this month's meeting.

Average hourly earnings also rose sharply in August, up +0.4% (MoM), improving on the market period (+0.3%) and the +0.2% increase from the previous release in July. YoY, average hourly earnings rose +3.8% YoY in August, also improving on both the favorable data (+3.7%) and the previous data (+3.6%).

With the economy now balanced and on track to grow at 2%, it is now time to ease the policy setting regime by reducing the target range for the federal funds rate,' he said, but did not comment on whether he would support a 25 or 50 basis point cut.