The dollar index 
DXY today is up by +0.17%. The dollar is moving higher today due to an easing of US-China trade tensions, which is positive for global growth prospects and the dollar after President Trump said on Sunday that, “I think we’re going to be fine with China.” The dollar also has support rose as the alleged loan frauds impacting Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance Bancorp appear to be confined and show no signs of contagion.
Gains in the dollar are limited as today’s rally in stocks curbs liquidity demand for the dollar. Also, the ongoing shutdown of the US government is bearish for the dollar. The longer the shutdown is maintained, the more likely the US economy will suffer, a negative factor for the dollar.
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The markets are pricing in a 99% chance of a -25 bp rate cut at the next FOMC meeting on Oct 28-29.
EUR/USD 
G today is up by +0.03%. The yen is slightly lower after today’s +3% surge in the Nikkei Stock Index to a new record high curbed safe-haven demand for the yen. The yen is also under pressure after Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party signed a pact to form a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party to set up Sanae Takaichi as prime minister. The yen weakened on concerns about an increased debt supply due to Takaichi’s support for expanded financial stimulus. Losses in the yen are limited due to hawkish comments from BOJ board member Takata, who said the time is ripe for raising the BOJ’s policy interest rate.
BOJ Board member Takata said, “I believe that now is a prime opportunity for the BOJ to raise the policy interest rate as the price stability target has been almost achieved.”
December COMEX gold (GCZ25) today is up +103.10 (+2.45%), and December COMEX silver (SIZ25) is up +0.721 (+1.45%). Gold and silver prices are sharply higher today and are just below last Friday’s record highs. The ongoing US government shutdown is fueling demand for precious metals as a safe haven. Also, lingering US-China trade tensions are driving demand for safe-haven assets, including precious metals.
Precious metals continue to receive safe-haven support due to uncertainty tied to US tariffs, geopolitical risks, and political turmoil in France and Japan. Also, President Trump’s attacks on Fed independence are boosting demand for gold. In addition, recent weaker-than-expected US economic news has bolstered the outlook for the Fed to keep cutting interest rates, a bullish factor for precious metals.
Precious metals prices continue to receive support from fund buying of precious metal ETFs. Gold holdings in ETFs rose to a 3-year high last Friday, and silver holdings in ETFs rose to a 3.25-year high last Tuesday.
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes.For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
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