Gold has posted small gains in the Thursday session. In the North American session, the spot price for one ounce of gold is $1250.63, down 0.17% on the day. On the release front, U.S numbers were soft for a second straight day. U.S Final GDP in the first quarter slipped to 2.0%, missing the estimate of 2.2%. Unemployment claims jumped to 227 thousand, well above the estimate of 220 thousand. On Friday, the U.S will publish consumer spending and inflation data, as well as UoM Consumer Sentiment.
Gold prices continue to point lower, as the metal has posted losses in 9 of the last 10 daily sessions. During that time, gold has declined 4.0 percent. Earlier on Thursday, gold dropped to $1248, setting a record low in 2018. Traditionally, gold acts a safe-haven asset during times of trouble, but that hasn’t been the case in the escalating tariff battle between the U.S and China. Investors are increasingly worried that if the tariff battles continue, growth will slow in both the U.S and China, and the result could be a global recession. If the Trump administration makes good on its threat to impose additional tariffs on the China and the European Union, gold prices could continue to spiral downwards.
U.S economic numbers have looked soft for a second straight day. On Thursday, Final GDP dipped to 2.0%, weaker than the second estimate of GDP in May, which showed growth of 2.0%. Much of the slowdown is being attributed to weaker consumer spending in the first quarter. There are expectations of banner growth in the second quarter, with some analysts predicting growth of over 5 percent, as the massive January tax cut should boost economic growth. However, the escalating trade war between the U.S and its trading partners, especially China, could dampen second quarter GDP. Trade tensions show no sign of easing, with President Trump threatening tariffs on some $250 billion in Chinese goods. On Wednesday, U.S durable goods reports in May were a disappointment. Core durable goods orders declined 0.3%, well of the estimate of 0.5% and a 4-month low. Durable goods orders declined for a second straight month, with a reading of -0.6%. Still, this was better than the forecast of -0.9%.
