Gold was on the way for the biggest weekly dip in over two months Friday as strong U.S. data lifted the prospect of an early taper to the Federal Reserve’s stimulus measures, and sending the metal to its lowest since July.
Positive US data was hurting prices as it could bolster the case for curbing stimulus soon. The Fed`s massive bond-buying program has burnished gold`s appeal as a hedge against inflation.
The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell sharply last week and a gauge of factory activity hit an eight-month high in early November, hinting at some strength in the economy.
Uncertainty over the timing of the tapering has pushed investors to take money out of gold.
Holdings of SPDR Gold Trust , the world`s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 3.6 tonnes to 856.71 tonnes on Thursday - their lowest since early 2009. Flows from or out of ETF’s reflect investor sentiment in bullion.
Billionaire hedge-fund manager John Paulson, the largest holder in the SPDR Gold Trust, told clients Nov. 20 that he wouldn’t personally invest more money in his gold fund because it isn’t clear when inflation will accelerate, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Outflows have totaled 450 tonnes this year. Physical demand picked up slightly due to the price drop but many buyers were still on the sidelines hoping for further declines, dealers said.
- Spot Gold last traded at $1244.36 an ounce, after slipping to its lowest since July 9 Thursday at $1236.72 per ounce.
- Spot silver last traded at $19.944 an ounce, compared with $19.888 late Thursday.
Gold and silver were both on track for a near three-and-a-half-per cent weekly drop.