Gold Nears Record Highs

McAlvany Weekly Commentary

Gold and precious metals continue their march higher this week, buoyed by continued enthusiasm for the new US president and administration. Let’s take a look at where prices stand as of our recording on January 23: The price of gold is up 2.5%, sitting at around $2,756. That’s only about $35 away from its previous all-time high. The price of silver is up around 0.9% at $30.85. Platinum is up 2.8%, to $960. Palladium is up 3.9% at $1000, just slightly below platinum. Looking at the broader market… The S&P 500 is up about 2% this week to 6,091. The US dollar is down a little over 1% at $108.22. Big Money Bets on Gold Rise The Commitment of Traders (COT) report shows the aggregate holdings of different participants in the U.S. futures market. These are compiled and published by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the U.S. COT reports detail how many long, short, and spread positions make up the open interest. Looking at a recent report, we see that far more institutional investors have been betting long on gold futures. Their bets have paid off handsomely, as gold has recovered from its dip to rise back up to record levels. But will the managed money continue to speculate that gold will go up? Or will they start taking profits? Of course, it’s impossible to predict exactly how the price of gold will change. But here are a few scenarios to consider. Scenario 1: A Mild Selloff If there is an unwinding of those managed money speculative bets, it’s possible that we’ll see gold drop down closer to the lows seen in post-election November and December — potentially around the $2,500 per ounce range. If this happens, gold could trade sideways for a few months. Scenario 2: A Shallow Correction If instead there’s more of a correction, we might see gold in the intermediate term fall to a floor. A shallow correction would look like gold dropping to $2,350 per ounce. A deeper correction might be closer to where gold was during the post-pandemic highs, around $2,075. If silver decides to hold around its current level, that would open up a potential gold to silver ratio trade. That’s because the gold to silver ratio would be closer to 52:1 in this case. However, it looks less likely that this scenario would happen. Scenario 3: Untested Territory There’s a good possibility that a correction might not happen at all. And instead, gold would push up to new high levels into uncharted territory. If this happens, it’s possible that gold could climb to a new high around $3,500 per ounce. Looking at recent charting patterns, it is possible that gold could reach these new highs. Which means that investors waiting on the sidelines to catch the next dip would continue to miss out. Should you buy gold right now? The best way to know what would work for you is to consult a trusted, experienced precious metals professional. Get Started With Expert Advice Our advisors have decades of experience investing in gold and other precious metals, and they can help you find the best strategy to meet your unique needs. They are happy to speak with you about your strategy for investing in gold and other precious metals. Reach us at 800-525-9556.