Gold Braces For Volatility, Crude Consolidates

 | Aug 22, 2014 06:25AM ET

h3 Talking Points/h3

  • Crude Oil Drifting As Traders Look Past Iraqi Turmoil
  • Precious Metals Prep For Volatility On Jackson Hole
  • Silver At A Crossroads Near Trendline Resistance

Crude oil is treading water during the Asian session with a lack of major catalysts ahead potentially setting the commodity up for a period of consolidation. Meanwhile, Gold and silver are mounting a small recovery with traders likely repositioning themselves ahead of the parade of speeches by central bankers at Jackson Hole.

Crude Drifting As Traders Look Past Iraqi Turmoil

WTI managed a small corrective bounce during trading on Thursday which likely reflected profit-taking on short positions. The commodity was likely overdue for a slight recovery given the speed and magnitude of recent declines. Yet with traders discounting the potential for supply disruptions due to geopolitical turmoil the fuel to sustain a recovery may be lacking.

Precious Metals Prep For Volatility On Central Banker Summit

Gold and silver remain in a precarious position as traders look past tensions in Eastern Europe, which in turn threatens to sap safe-haven demand for the alternative assets. This leaves hopes for a recovery to hang on the prospect of dovish remarks from Fed Chair Janet Yellen at her upcoming Jackson Hole address.

The central banker is set to deliver remarks on the labour market. A reiteration of strong concerns over persistent weakness in wage growth and underemployment would reinforce the prospect that US rates will remain at record lows over the near-term, which in turn is a negative for the USD .

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