The US retails sales grew more than expected. The Federal Reserve’s focus is on the current condition of the US economy, which can either confirm or disprove the positive US employment stats.
The eurozone’s trade balance showed a surplus. However, the surplus turned out to be less substantial than expected. Today Spain is to start another bond auction. Investors are concerned about the fact that last month Spanish banks had to borrow from the ECB as much as 316B euro.
Japan is ready to supply the IMF with $60B in order to help the eurozone resolve its debt crisis. Japan’s manufacturing production report came out worse than expected.
The direct investments in China have been shrinking for the 5th consecutive month despite the central bank’s efforts to increase the quotes for foreign investors. China has increased the purchases of US bonds for the 2nd month in a row.
Amid China’s economic slowdown, the RBA is ready to cut the interest rates if the there is an inflation decline.
Iran seems to be ready to resolve all the nuclear issues with the Western powers if they ease the sanctions. Israel keeps urging Iran to stop uranium enrichment completely.
Yesterday’s trading volume in the market of gold was one of the lowest in 2012. The СОМЕХ report showed a sharp increase in silver reserves amid higher production of silver and lower demand for it. The silver reserves are around the 10-year record.
According to the Commodity Trading Department of , today gold may continue its downtrend to 1645-1644 after consolidating below 1650. If the price consolidates below 1643 it will give way to 1625, 1620, and maybe 1610. Alternatively, if the price fails to consolidate below 1650 and consolidates above 1653, it will get a chance to rally up to 1660. In order to resume a major rally, the price will have to break and consolidate above 1660.
Silver continues its downtrend. Once an H1 price bar closes below 31.35, the price may go further down 31.25, 31-30.90, 30.50. Alternatively, a failure to consolidate below 31.35 and a break above 31.45 will increase the probability of testing 31.75.
