Gold hits fresh record high with support from momentum-following funds

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Gold prices rose to a fresh record high on Tuesday as demand from momentum-following funds offset a strong US dollar and the possibility of higher-for-longer US rates.

Spot gold rose 0.7% to $2,265.40 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $2,266.59. The bullion has been hitting fresh record highs for three sessions in a row.

“An underlying bid from retail and central banks is being joined by momentum-following speculators who have extended their already elevated longs following the break above $2,200,” said Ole Hansen at Saxo Bank.

“In addition, there is no doubt that geopolitical tensions have added an additional layer of support.”

The bullion rose by 9.3% in March, which was its biggest monthly growth since July 2020.

It kept rising on Tuesday despite a strong US dollar after Monday’s data showed US manufacturing grew for the first time in 1-1/2 years in March. Traders pared bets of a June interest rate cut to 62% after the data, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.

“What makes the gold rally so unusual is that is occurring despite significant traditional headwinds with the US dollar rising, treasury yields rising, the likelihood of higher for longer US rates increasing,” said independent analyst Ross Norman.

“Furthermore, we are moving into a slack period for seasonal demand. You couldn’t imagine a more inauspicious backdrop.”

Amid high prices, European physical investors are selling metal wholesale back to their dealers and Indian demand has cratered, he added.

Meanwhile, support from gold extended to other precious metals.

Spot silver rose 1.9% to $25.5556 per ounce, platinum added 2.5% to $924.35 and palladium climbed 0.8% to $1,004.00.