US housing starts dropped more than expected last month, official figures revealed on Tuesday. According to the US Department of Commerce, housing starts declined 5.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.14 million units in August, following the preceding month's 1.21 million-unit rate and falling behind the 1.17 millionunit pace market forecast. Starts of single family houses declined 6.0% to a 722,000 unit rate in August, the lowest level since October of 2015, whereas housing starts for the volatile multi-family segment dropped 5.4% to a 420,000 unit pace. In the meantime, building permits plunged 0.4% in August to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.14 million units as approvals in the volatile multi-family segment fell 7.2% to a 402,000 unit-pace, whereas permits for single–family homes jumped 3.7% to a 737,000 unit-rate last month. Market analysts expected permits for future construction to hit 1.17 million units in the reported month. In regional terms, single-family new house construction building permits fell in both the Northeast and South 13.8% and 13.1%, respectively, but increased in the West and Midwest. After the release, the US Dollar fell slightly, trading at 1.1182 against the Euro, 1.2967 against the British Pound and 101.83 against the Japanese Yen.
Confidence among US homebuilders improved in the ninth month of the year, official data revealed on Monday. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) jumped to 65 in September, the highest reading since October last year, whereas market analysts expected the Index to come in at 60 points. The August reading was revised down to 59 from the originally reported reading of 60. Any reading above 50 indicates an overall positive outlook. The Index was seen mostly at 58 points, rising to 61 in January. According to the report, current sales advanced to 71 in September from August's 65, the fastest pace in nearly nine years, whereas sales expectations in the next six months climbed to 71 from the preceding month's 64. In the meantime, buyer traffic rose to 48 from last month's 44 points, remaining below the 50-point level. In regional terms, on a three-month moving average basis, homebuilder confidence in both the Northeast and South increased one point to 42 and 64 points, respectively, as well as it improved in the West to 73 from last month's 69 points. The Index found builder sentiment held steady at 55 in the Midwest.
Upcoming fundamentals: Federal Open Markets Committee
As the title suggests, the markets today will be affected by the Federal Open Markets Committee, which is meeting today. The information flow from the committee will come in at 18:00 GMT, as at that time various data will be released. First of all the FOMC will publish their Economic Projections and their Statement. However, the most important will be the Federal Funds Rate at that time. Afterwards, as it is accustomed, the FOMC will host a press conference at 18:30 GMT.
Gold continues to struggle with resistance
Daily chart: The yellow metal continued to try and break the resistance put up by the weekly pivot point at 1,316.02 on Wednesday morning. Although, the metal had reached far above the resistance and touched the 1,320 mark, it retreated afterwards, as the 20-day SMA is approaching at 1,322.16, and it is set to provide additional resistance against the bullion's surge. Daily aggregate technical indicators forecast a fall of the metal by the end of the day's trading session, and the closest support level is at 1,305.52. Both of these factors indicate, that the rising wedge pattern of the metal might be soon broken.Traders remain neutral on the bullion
Spreads (avg,pip) / Trading volume / Volatility
Market participants foresee the price of gold at 1,350 by December
Traders who were asked regarding their longer-term views on gold between August 21 and September 21 expect, on average, to see the metal around 1,350 by the end of November. Generally, 57% (-2%) of participants believe the price will be above 1,350 in ninety days. Alongside, 24% (+2%) of those surveyed reckon the price will trade in the range between 1,200 and 1,350 over the next three months