Gold And Silver Tug-Of-War Continues

 | Sep 01, 2014 06:29AM ET

Talking Points

  • Crude Oil Traders To Keep One Eye On Escalating Ukrainian Turmoil
  • Gold In Tug-Of-War As Geopolitical Tensions Offset A Stronger Greenback
  • Palladium Targeting 1,000 After Leaping Over The $900 an Ounce Hurdle

Crude oil’s recovery appears to have stalled in Asian trading today with the commodity lacking fundamental cues. Over the week ahead, Russian supply disruption fears may remain on the radar for traders following reports of escalating Ukrainina tensions. Speculation over the imposition of sanctions targeting the nation’s energy exports could offer Brent a source of support in the short-term. However, the commodity may need to find a more compelling reason to recover in the longer-term. This is given the probability that Western Europe will willingly cut off its largest energy supplier is likely low.

Meanwhile, gold and silver remain in a tug-of-war. Heightened geopolitical tensions continue to offer the alternative assets a source of support. Yet the resilience of the US Dollar has likely weighed on the precious metals. These opposing forces could keep the commodities in line for a period of consolidation.

Meanwhile, copper has brushed aside a deterioration in Chinese PMI figures today to trade marginally higher. The official and HSBC readings for August slipped versus their July prints. The indices remain in expansionary territory. However, a further slide towards contractionary readings could raise concerns over the country’s appetite for commodities. This in turn could keep copper prices suppressed.

UPCOMING ECONOMIC DATA

No major US data is scheduled to be released given the US labor day holiday.

CRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Crude is at a critical juncture as the commodity threatens to clear the 23.6% Fib and descending trendline on the daily. A break through the nearby barrier would be required to mark a small base and threaten a more sustained recovery for the commodity.

Crude Oil: Make-Or-Break Moment For WTI