GOLD: Prospect Of On Hold Policy Sees Gold Fall Despite Geopolitical Risks
Gold prices jumped to $3395.07 at the start of today’s APAC trading, the highest since mid-June, on flight-to-quality following US action in Iran. However, the prospect that the conflict will lead to higher inflation through energy prices thus delaying central bank easing is weighing on non-interest bearing gold with it now down 0.3% to $3357.9 after a low of $3352.1. The stronger US dollar (USD BBDXY +0.3%) and slightly higher US yields are also pressuring bullion.
- Gold continues to trade between initial support at $3338.8 and resistance at $3451.3.
- With positions in gold so long (well above 2016 and 2020 levels), silver and palladium have become safe-have substitutes. Silver is up 0.1% to $36.05 today following a high of $36.20 and a low of $35.84, holding above initial support at $35.43. A bull wave persists with initial resistance at $37.32, 18 June high.
- Middle Eastern developments have driven a pullback in risk with the S&P e-mini down 0.3%, KOSPI -0.5% and Hang Seng -0.1%. Oil prices are higher with WTI +1.7% to $75.09/bbl. Copper is down 0.3%.
- Later the Fed’s Waller, Bowman, Goolsbee, Williams and Kugler as well ECB President Lagarde speak. US and European preliminary S&P Global/HCOB June PMIs are released.
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JGB TECHS: (M5) Rallies off Lows
- RES 3: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)
- RES 2: 146.53 - High Aug 6
- RES 1: 141.48/142.95 - High May 2 / High Apr 7
- PRICE: 139.40 @ 15:42 GMT May 23
- SUP 1: 138.54 - Low May 22
- SUP 2: 136.57 - 1.382 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg
- SUP 3: 134.89 - 2.000 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg
JGBs have rallied off recent lows and for now, however a bearish theme remains intact following the reversal that started Apr 7. A continuation lower would signal scope for an extension towards 136.57, a Fibonacci projection. On the upside, a reversal higher would instead refocus attention on 142.95, the Apr 7 high. The first important resistance to watch is 141.48, the May 2 high. A break of this level would be viewed as an early bullish signal.
US FISCAL: Total Tariff Income Jumping In May As New Rates Hit
Treasury reported a record $16.5B in customs/excise taxes on May 22, reflecting the large increase in tariff rates that went into effect in April.
- Today's report is important because it represents the largest tariff collections of the month which are typically on a due date around the 22nd, when most corporate importers make their payments.
- Thursday's one-day collection is a record, and the month has already set a new record. Tariff revenues have totaled $22.3B so far in May, and are came in at $17.4B in April (after averaging $8.1B/month in 2024).
- For the fiscal year as a whole so far, customs duties have totaled just under $93B, per the Treasury Daily Statement.
US FISCAL: Extraordinary Measures Continue To Dissipate Alongside Treasury Cash
Treasury's latest estimate of the size of "extraordinary measures" available to use "in order to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations as Congress deliberate[s] on increasing the debt limit" is down to $67B on May 21 (of an available $299B), vs $82B a week earlier.
- The amount hit the 2nd lowest level since the debt limit impasse started, at $46B, on May 20 (the low was $34B on Feb 24).
- With $476B in cash in the Treasury General Account on May 21, that left the total resources available to Treasury at $543B, the least since April 14 - the day before the annual April 15 tax deadline.
- Treasury Sec Bessent warned Congress earlier this month that "there is a reasonable probability that the federal government's cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted in August while Congress is scheduled to be in recess. Therefore, I respectfully urge Congress to increase or suspend the debt limit by mid-July".
