US homebuilding activity advanced more than expected in the last month of 2016, official figures revealed on Thursday. The Commerce Department reported housing starts rose 11.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.23 million in December, following the previous month's upwardly revised 1.10 million units and surpassing analysts' expectations for a 1.19 million-unit rate. The December increase suggested the housing market boosted economic growth in the Q4. Meanwhile, building permits came in at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.21 million units in the same month, unchanged from November's upwardly revised reading, slightly missing economists' projections of a 1.22 million-unit rate.
Separately, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve said its Manufacturing Index jumped to 23.6 points in January, the highest level in more than two years, driven by a rise in new orders, which climbed to 26.0 from 14.90. Analysts anticipated a sharp fall to 16.2 points in January from the prior month's 21.5. Data also showed the Employment Index surged to 12.8 from 3.6, while the Business Outlook Index for the next six months hit its highest level since August 2014 of 56.6 points. Other data released on Thursday showed initial jobless claims fell 15,000 to 234,000 last week, the lowest level in more than 43 years.
Upcoming fundamental events: Minor data releases
Wednesday's trading session is set to be a quiet one for fundamental data release volatility traders, as there are only few minor data releases scheduled for the day. Data that will affect the strength of the US Dollar is set to be released at various times during the day. First of all the US HPI will be out at 14:00 GMT. Secondly, the US Crude Oil Inventories will be out at 15:30 GMT.
Gold breaks pattern
Daily chart: The yellow metal dropped back to the 1,200 level, which had not been seen since Friday. Although, the drop itself might seem not that significant, there are other aspects that need to be taken into account. The bullion broke out of the medium term ascending channel patter, which had guided it since the middle of December. Due to that reason the channel is now obsolete. The commodity price is set to fall as low as 1,197.37, where the next notable support level is located at. At that level the weekly S1 is located at.Traders approach neutral zone
Spreads (avg,pip) / Trading volume / Volatility
Market participants foresee the price of Gold being around 1,250 in April
Traders who were asked regarding their longer-term views on gold between December 25 and January 25 expect, on average, to see the metal near 1,250 in early April. Generally, 47% of participants believe the price will be above 1,250 in ninety days. Alongside, 21% (-5%) of those surveyed reckon the currencies will trade in the range between 1,000 and 1,200 over the next three months.