Oil prices are a little higher today, recovering from the lows on Friday. The jobs report highlighted how strong the economy remains although traders are now increasingly nervous about more aggressive tightening sending the economy into a deeper recession further down the road. It really is a lose-lose.
The resumption of Iran nuclear talks today is one potential downside risk for the oil price, given the ability of the country to quickly ramp up production if a deal is struck. Not to mention its reportedly large oil and gas reserves. A deal could apparently be struck within days although we have heard that a lot at times this year.
Gold nervously eyeing inflation data
Gold is flat today after Friday’s jobs report took the wind out of its sails. The recovery trade was being fueled by the belief that data-dependency meant a slower pace of tightening but that’s now clearly not the case (nor was it ever, in fairness). We may see some nervy trading in the yellow metal ahead of Wednesday’s inflation report although it still seems to have an eye on $1,780-1,800 which is the next major test to the upside.