Gold eases from 7-year high, but coronavirus fears limit losses; further escalation in epidemic likely to propel market higher

Gold prices eased on Tuesday as investors booked profits from a jump to a seven-year high in the previous session and as equities regained some footing, but a spike in coronavirus cases outside of China capped bullion’s losses. Spot gold was down 0.2 percent to $1,657.40 per ounce, after declining 1 percent earlier in the session. On Monday, the metal rose as much as 2.8 percent to its highest since January 2013 at $1,688.66. US gold futures fell 1.1 percent to $1,658.60 an ounce. [caption id=“attachment_4056577” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image, Reuters.[/caption] “S&P futures jumped and regional stock markets opened higher, so we saw a temporary bout of selling pressure come through on gold,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA “Now, we’re seeing bargain hunters come in to buy gold. There are increasing concerns that the virus is becoming a global issue now rather than being contained in China,” Halley said. Asian equities were trying to stabilise after a wave of early selling petered out and Wall Street futures managed a solid bounce. However, the coronavirus death toll climbed to seven in Italy on Monday and authorities sealed off the worst-affected towns, closed schools and halted the carnival in Venice, while several Middle East countries were dealing with their first infections. The rapid spread of the virus beyond China has heightened fears over its impact on the global economy, driving some bets that the US Federal Reserve will be pressed to cut rates to cushion the hit. “A Fed cut in April, as our US economists expect, or further escalation in the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to propel the market higher and trade through $1700,” UBS said in a note. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, meanwhile, told Reuters that he does not expect the outbreak to have a material impact on the Phase 1 trade deal with China, although that could change as more data becomes available in the coming weeks. However, the Trump administration is considering asking lawmakers for emergency funding to ramp up its response to the epidemic, a White House spokesman said.