This decision to invite players outside of the top 100 has precedents which is an interesting initiative to watch
sports3 hours ago
European policymakers began working on new ways to stop fallout from Greece’s near-bankruptcy from inflicting more damage on the world economy after stinging criticism for failing to stem the debt crisis.
Industrial commodities such as silver and base metals bore the brunt of investor desire for liquidity in the face of mounting uncertainty.
In the last three days alone, gold has fallen by nearly 9 percent in its largest three-day slide since October 2008 and implied volatility has risen to a 2-1/2 year high.
Spot gold was last down 1.7 percent on the day at $1,628.29 an ounce by 1144 GMT, having fallen earlier by as much as 7.4 percent, putting the difference between the intraday high and low at $128.40, the largest daily price swing on record.
“It shows you that at times of extreme stress, there is not a suitable substitute to liquidity and although gold is liquid by metal standards, in comparison to treasuries, when you get this kind of flight to cash, then it really is cash that counts and that means U.S. dollars,” said Credit Suisse analyst Tom Kendall.
“The markets are going to continue to react this week to the political situation within Europe and I don’t see any quick resolution or stimulus coming to the markets.”
After a weekend of being told by the United States, China and other countries that they must get more aggressive in their crisis response, European officials focused on ways to beef up their existing 440 billion-euro rescue fund.
Deep differences remained over whether the European Central Bank should commit more of its massive resources to shoring up Europe’s banks and help struggling euro zone member countries.
The lack of consensus on a lasting solution to the euro zone debt crisis has been a major driver in this year’s rise in the gold price to record highs above $1,900 an ounce.
“The rise in volatility taking place in the gold price was clearly an indication that gold was no longer a low-risk asset. So there are a few signs there that would have given you pause for thought, but inevitably when the move happens, everyone is taken a little bit by surprise,” said Natixis commodities strategist Nic Brown.
“I would suggest that part of what is happening is a collective move away from commodities by investors. The fact that there is carnage going on across the commodities spectrum indicates there are a fair few investors who are getting cold feet at this stage and that has hit some precious metals disproportionately,” he said.
Last week’s data on investment in U.S. gold futures shows specualtors cut their holdings to their lowest level in over two years, as reflected by the fall in net non-commercial open interest on COMEX. 0#CFTC>
Short-term interest rates on dollars and other major currencies, have shot up this month, as banks have become increasingly unwilling to extend funding to each other because of fears over their individual exposure to the debt of the peripheral euro zone nations.
Gold is often sold off as a means of raising dollars when funding conditions deteriorate, much as they did in late 2008 with the onset of the credit crunch that ensued from banks witholding lending because of their concern over counterparty exposure to toxic U.S. mortgage-backed assets.
“Gold is one of the few assets that remains in positive territory this year, in a sense it is one of the last assets standing, and because of this as investors head for cash they sell the assets that have performed. Essentially gold is a victim of its own success as liquidity trumps,” wrote UBS analyts Edel Tully in a note.
Silver came under fire, falling by as much as 16 percent at one point in the day and set for its worst three-day fall on record, having lost more than 25 percent in this period.
The spot price was last down 6.7 percent at $29.00 an ounce, its lowest since last November.
Platinum fell by 3 percent to $1,559.25 an ounce, its lowest since May last year, while palladium recovered from an earlier 5.0-percent fall to trade up 0.4 percent on the day at $637.22 an ounce, around its lowest since last October.
This decision to invite players outside of the top 100 has precedents which is an interesting initiative to watch
sports3 hours ago
Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Al-Qahtani meets Morocco's Taha Bendaoud in the main event
sports3 hours ago
The airport will have a passenger capacity of 260 million per annum and fully absorb Dubai airport operations
business3 hours ago
The investment has become attractive as the rupee has weakened against the US dollar
business3 hours ago
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games will feature 17-time champions Boston Celtics and defending champions Denver Nuggets in October
sports4 hours ago
The last time there was a substantial taxi fare increase was back in July 2022, following a series fuel price hikes
transport4 hours ago
Middle-East grown interiors brand opens two new store locations
business4 hours ago
The country repeatedly urges residents to refrain from owning wild or exotic animals, and imposing hefty fines of up to Dh500,000 for violators
uae4 hours ago