Gold Retreats on Strong US Jobs Data
Gold prices fell toward $4,050 an ounce on Friday as the US dollar strengthened following a stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its policy meeting next month. The US economy added 165,000 jobs in October, well above market expectations of 65,000, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined to 4.1%. Employment figures for the previous two months were also revised upward by a combined 84,000. Adding to the hawkish outlook, average hourly earnings rose by 0.4%, exceeding forecasts of 0.3%, while a renewed increase in crude oil prices further fueled inflation concerns. Despite Friday’s pullback, gold remained up more than 4% for the week, supported by safe-haven demand following a sweeping Democratic victory in the US midterm elections, which prompted investors to rotate out of AI stocks and seek defensive assets.
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Gold prices fell toward $4,050 an ounce on Friday as the US dollar strengthened following a stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its policy meeting next month. The US economy added 165,000 jobs in October, well above market expectations of 65,000, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined to 4.1%. Employment figures for the previous two months were also revised upward by a combined 84,000. Adding to the hawkish outlook, average hourly earnings rose by 0.4%, exceeding forecasts of 0.3%, while a renewed increase in crude oil prices further fueled inflation concerns.
Despite Friday’s pullback, gold remained up more than 4% for the week, supported by safe-haven demand following a sweeping Democratic victory in the US midterm elections, which prompted investors to rotate out of AI stocks and seek defensive assets.