17.12.202014:07 Forex Analysis & Reviews: Gold hits peak of its popularity again

Today, prices in the precious metal market continue moving upwards. Such a surge was triggered by the increasing US dollar weakness. The greenback fell even deeper after the publication of the Fed's meeting results. As most analysts had expected the US economic situation is still alarming. It needs emergency measures and support.

Early today, at the New York exchange, gold futures with February delivery rose by 0.65% or $12.15 to settle at $1,871.25 per troy ounce.

At the same time, silver futures with March delivery advanced even at a faster pace than gold. Thus, in the morning, silver prices jumped by 1.8% to $25.503 per troy ounce.

A drop in the US national currency was the main driver of the rise in gold prices. Just after the publication of the Fed's meeting results, the US dollar slumped to the lows last reached in the middle of spring in 2018. As a rule, depreciating dollar supports gold. This could be explained by the fact that gold becomes more available to residents of other regions, where investors perform deals using another currency.

Moreover, the US regulator decided to keep the key interest rate at the same level around 0-0.25%. Notably, the benchmark rate is likely to remain extremely low for a long time. According to preliminary estimates, the key rates will be the same for the next three years. The Fed is also planning to keep the asset purchase program at the size of $120 billion a month. This process will take place until there are clear signs of the labor market and inflation recovery in the US. Of course, gold is gaining in value amid such decisions and market participants are benefiting from this.

Moreover, there is an opinion that stimulus measures, which will be implemented in the near future, are not enough. It is time to think over additional support tools. Fed's Chair Jerome Powell hints that the US Congress should increase the financial aid. Of course, the US dollar will fall amid such actions, but gold will confidently grow.

Most analysts believe that the greenback will remain in a difficult situation even in the next year. It may lose about 10% of its value. In this case, market participants have nothing to do but switch to such safe haven assets as gold. As a result, gold prices may soar to $1,900 per troy ounce and move even higher to the important level of $2,000 per troy ounce. According to some economists, gold may reach these readings as early as the middle of the upcoming year.