Oil falls, gold range-trading

Paring gains again

Oil prices are dropping for a second day, erasing some more of the pre-Christmas rally amid uncertainty over the Chinese outlook and the limited impact of Russia’s response to the G7 price cap. Volatility is likely going nowhere fast as we navigate another highly uncertain year, albeit one that surely promises plenty of surprises and twists and turns along the way.

The US refilling the SPR should be supportive for the market and could have put a bit of a floor in place, although with so many moving parts, I don’t think anyone can say anything with any strong degree of conviction. OPEC+ could make an announcement at any point and suddenly everything changes. Not to mention Russia’s war in Ukraine and how that develops.

Settling around $1,800

Gold is continuing to hover around $1,800 where it has traded roughly $30 on either side throughout the bulk of December. It seems gold traders, like the rest of us, have an idea of what the Fed will do early next year but are holding back as it doesn’t quite align with the hawkish narrative coming from the central bank. Patience may well be key on that front but with momentum running thin, the prospect of a correction is growing.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar: www.marketpulse.com/economic-events/