- SWFX traders are 54% bullish
- 58% of pending commands are to buy the metal
- The bullion opened at 1,222.43
- Upcoming Events: US Import Prices; Preliminary UoM Consumer Sentiment
US crude oil inventories jumped more than markets anticipated amid a sharp increase in imports and rise in Cushing crude inventories, official figures showed on Wednesday. According to the Energy Information Administration, US crude stockpiles climbed 13.8 million barrels during the week ended February 3, following the preceding week's gain of 6.5 million barrels and surpassing analysts' expectations for a rise of 2.7 million barrels. The EIA reported US crude oil imports averaged 1.1 million barrels per day last week, rising the most at the Gulf Coast, where inventories surged 10.9 million, the record weekly increase, to 267.6 million barrels. Crude stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma, jumped 1.1 million barrels.
Meanwhile, gasoline stocks dropped 869,000 barrels in the same week, topping forecasts for a 1.1 million-barrel rise. Distillate stocks advanced 29,0000 barrels, whereas analysts anticipated a 300,000 barrel-increase. The EIA also said that refinery utilization rates fell 0.5% to 87.7%, while demand for refinery feedstocks declined 54,000 barrels per day. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate futures climbed 0.5% to $52.47 per barrel, up from $51.22 ahead of the release, while Brent futures advanced 0.8% to $55.48 per barrel. Earlier this week, the American Petroleum Institute reported US crude stocks climbed 14.3 million barrels.
Upcoming events: Minor US data
During the last trading session of the week there will be released only minor data releases, which could affect the strength of the US Dollar and subsequently the financial instruments, in which it is involved. At 13:30 GMT US Import Prices will be published. Later in the day, at 15:00 GMT, the Preliminary UoM Consumer Sentiment will be released.
Gold falls below 1,225
Daily chart: No matter how strong the technical perspective of a Gold surge can be, changes in the fundamental situation of the US Dollar are capable of destroying any kind of forecast, by changing the whole base of the markets. Due to a decision made by the President of US Donald Trump, the yellow metal fell on Thursday and continued to do so on Friday. If the situation persists, the bullion will fall at least to the 1,219.20 mark, where the 38.20% Fibonacci retracement level is located at. On the other hand, the yellow metal might rally and surge back up to the weekly R1 at 1,233.81.Daily chart
Hourly chart: The hourly chart shows that almost no support level could even hinder the metals fall for more than a few hours. However, more important information can be gathered from the chart. The might find support not in the 38.20% Fibonacci retracement level at 1,219.20, but rather the 200-hour SMA at 1,220.50.
Hourly chart
SWFX traders remain bullish
OANDA Gold traders have a continued to decrease their bullish outlook on the yellow metal, as open positions were 63% bullish on Friday, compared to the 80% a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, traders of SAXO bank have increased their bullish outlook, regarding the yellow metal, as 62.99% of open positions are bullish, compared to 57.84% yesterday.