Gold dives 4% as dollar holds gains and shares bounce

Bengaluru - Gold on track for worst day since June 2013; Silver plunges 7.8%, biggest daily decline since mid-March

Gold prices dived on Tuesday as the dollar clung to recent gains, while expectations of a US stimulus deal boosted risk appetite and prompted investors to take profits from bullion's run to a record high.
Spot gold plunged 4.2 per cent to $1,941.71 per ounce by 1311 GMT, retreating from last week's record of $2,072.50. US gold futures dropped 3.5 per cent to $1,969.20 per ounce.
On Tuesday, gold prices in Dubai for 24K touched Dh235.50 per gramme; 22K was at Dh221.25 per gramme; 21K at 211.25 per gramme and 18K at Dh181.00 per gramme in evening trading.
"The retreat was inevitable," said StoneX analyst Rhona O'Connell, adding that gold has been technically overbought for a while. That gold did not advance further despite rising geopolitical tensions showed many supportive elements for gold have already been priced in, she added.
Adding to gold's headwinds, global equities hit multi-month highs on expectations US Congress will agree a massive stimulus deal while looming trade talks raised hopes of an easing in tensions between the United States and China.
Also weighing on gold, US producer prices rebounded more than expected in July.
The dollar, too, retained recent gains, making gold less attractive for investors holding other currencies. There is a battle now, because from a technical perspective, short-term traders are looking at which retracement levels can come into play after the breakout to record levels, said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.
Most analysts still expect a positive trajectory for gold, with the metal having gained nearly 30per cent this year as unprecedented money-printing by central banks and near-zero interest rates pushed investors into bullion as a hedge against possible currency debasement and inflation.
The recent "washout of speculative long positioning sets gold up for a more balanced rally going forward", said Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst at OANDA.
Among other precious metals, silver plunged 7.8 per cent to $26.88 per ounce, platinum dropped 4.8 per cent to $939.19 per ounce and palladium slid 5.4 per cent to $2,099.47 per ounce. - Reuters, business@khaleejtimes.com