Gold, silver up, but gains fade after upbeat U.S. economic data

(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are just modestly higher in midday U.S. trading Tuesday and lost solid early gains after some stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data and rising U.S. bond yields. The metals were supported by rising crude oil prices that hit a nine-week high earlier today, and sharp daily losses in the U.S. dollar index. However, crude oil prices did back down as the session progressed. June gold futures were last up $2.50 at $1,816.50. July Comex silver futures were last up $0.134 at $21.685 an ounce.

The U.S. retail sales report for April showed a rise of 0.9%, which was close to market expectations. However, March retail sales were revised up to 1.4%. April U.S. industrial production for March came in strong at up 1.1% versus expectations for a rise of 0.5%. After these reports’ releases the metals started to ratchet down from their overnight highs.

U.S. stock indexes are higher at midday. The marketplace is more upbeat Tuesday on reports China will start to ease its lockdowns in major cities, including Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The marketplace will be watching a scheduled Wall Street Journal interview with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell this afternoon. Traders and investors will be keen to see if Powell remarks on timing aspects of Fed monetary policy and/or inflation, as well as the prospect of the U.S. economy entering a recession.

The key outside markets today see Nymex crude oil futures prices weaker after hitting a nine-week high early on, and is presently trading around $113.00 a barrel. Meantime, the U.S. dollar index is lower. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is fetching around 2.9%.

Technically, June gold futures prices see a nine-week-old price downtrend in place on the daily bar chart. Bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls' next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $1,875.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,750.00. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $1,834.80 and then at $1,850.00. First support is seen at $1,800.00 and then at this week’s low of $1,785.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.0

July silver futures see a steep price downtrend in place on the daily bar chart. The silver bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $23.00 an ounce. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $20.00. First resistance is seen at $22.00 and then at $22.50. Next support is seen at $21.50 and then at $21.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.0.

July N.Y. copper closed up 445 points at 423.50 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. The copper bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. A price downtrend is still in place on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at 445.00 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at 400.00 cents. First resistance is seen at today’s high of 428.35 cents 430.00 cents. First support is seen at today’s low of 420.30 cents and then at this week’s low of 413.35 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.5.

By Jim Wyckoff

For Kitco News

 jwyckoff@kitco.com

www.kitco.com