The situation around Iran remains tough. Yesterday a US citizen of Iranian descent was sentenced to death for spying. Today Timothy Geithner is on his visit to China. He is expected to ask China to back the sanctions against Iran. According to Dennis Ross, President Obama’s former Mideast advisor, the USA is ready to attack Iran in order to cease its nuclear program. Goldman Sachs has increased its oil price forecast for 2012.
The data on China’s external trade for December 2011 showed a major import/export decline as compared with the forecast. China’s foreign trade turnover in 2011 hit the all-time record of $3.6 trillion. However, the balance-of-trade surplus declined down to 3-year low ($115B).
The Federal Reserve is planning to arrange a press conference. Investors will be looking for hints at the Fed Reserve’s further economic stimuli. In November 2011 the US consumer lending hit the record level (+$20.37B).
In the meantime, Angela Merkel and Nicola Sarkozy met in Berlin. The parties agreed on all the issues in advance of the next EU summit scheduled for Jan 30th 2012. This week Spain and Italy are expected to hold their own bond auctions as investors will be focused on the bond yield. These auctions can influence France’s credit rating as French banks are major holders of these bonds. Today Angela Merkel will meet with the IMF President.
According to Goldman Sachs, the current macroeconomic situation around the world suggests an increase in gold prices up to $1940/oz by late 2012. Asia keeps seeing steady demand for physical gold.
Forecast: According to the Department of Commodity Trading of , after declining within a range for a couple of days, today gold is ready for a rally. It is currently above 1617-1617.5. However, the price still may test 1610. The closest targets are 1627, 1630, then 1640-1641, and maybe even 1668.
As for silver, in order to resume its rally, the price needs to consolidate above 29.30 in order to reach 29.50 and 29.75. A break above December’s high will give way to 30. A failed test will initiate a downswing to 28.9-29, and maybe even 28.7.
