Metals Market: Investors disappointed with concerning talks over U.S. budget

YEREVAN, December 24. /ARKA/. Gold quotes dropped significantly last week amid concerns about “budget breakdown” in the U.S. The price for gold tumbled to the new minimum of 1,635.17 USD per troy ounce recording the lowest result over the last four months.

Gold quotes fell significantly on Tuesday and Thursday as the talks over the U.S. budget didn’t appear as optimistic. At the end of the week, the House of Representatives declared on the decision to take a break till the Christmas. Better than expected U.S. GDP rate didn’t cast any optimism for gold quotes hike either. It encouraged the investors to withdraw cash in USD. Indeed, according to the latest data, the GDP rose 3.1% in the third quarter versus the expected 2.7%.

Nevertheless, at the end of the week, gold prices were balanced. As a result, gold cost slashed by 2.38% to 1,654.86 USD per troy ounce.

We do not project any changes in gold cost this week due to Christmas and holidays. However, talks between the Republicans and Democrats over the “fiscal cliff” may have some influence on the gold value.

Gold dynamics will depend on the macroeconomic statistics from the U.S. Of the American news we should focus on consumer confidence index and business activity index of Chicago PMI for December, and the number of initial unemployment allowance applications for the week earlier. We expect the data from the U.S. labor market to be pessimistic. Thus, gold quotes may climb.

Careful purchases at low prices may also raise the gold quotes. The expected fluctuation range this week will be 1,628.0 – 1,675.0 USD per troy ounce.

Copper price last week dropped 3.14% to 3.5650 USD per pound due to growing concerns around the U.S. “budget breakdown,” optimistic GDP rate and the upcoming holidays.

The increased reserve of this asset at London Metal Exchange also prevented hike in copper quotes.
http://www.armbanks.am/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/14.jpg

Drop in prices may encourage the investors dealing with lower prices to purchase copper. However, copper quotes will remain vulnerable amid the fiscal situation in the U.S. If the situation is deteriorated in the U.S., copper quotes will continue tumbling.

The copper dynamics will also depend on the macroeconomic statistics of the United States. This statistics is expected to be optimistic. The anticipated fluctuation range for copper is 3.50 – 3.63 USD per pound.

Mikael Verdyan, an analyst at FOREX CLUB, specially for ARKA news agency.
The opinion of the author does not necessarily reflect that of the agency.—0-

spot_img

POPULAR

Euro and ruble exchange rates against the Armenian dram fell, while the dollar rose: Central Bank

Euro and ruble exchange rates against the Armenian dram fell, while the dollar rose: Central Bank

Net inflow of remittances to Armenia from abroad increased by approximately 2.2 times in 7 months

The net inflow of cross-border transfers to individuals in Armenia, received from abroad through the Armenian banking system, amounted to $1.56 billion in January-July 2026, compared to $716.6 million in January-July 2025, according to a report from the Central Bank of the Republic.

Armenian dram strengthened against the dollar and the ruble, but weakened against the euro: Central Bank

The average market exchange rate for the US dollar to the Armenian dram, formed on the Armenian foreign exchange market as of August 28, 2026, fell by 0.15 points to 364.32 drams compared to August 27.

“Unisport” Advances to the Main Round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League

Armenian champions and cup winners "Unisport" have secured a place in the main round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League after recording three consecutive victories in the preliminary round of the tournament.

Central Bank of Armenia has identified the reasons for the acceleration of inflation to 5.1% in June

External price pressure, rising local food prices, and a slight expansion of domestic demand contributed to the acceleration of annual inflation in Armenia from 3.9% in June 2025 to 5.1% in June 2026.

LATEST NEWS

spot_imgspot_imgspot_img