Gold declines after release of higher-than-expected US JOLTS Job Openings

• Gold falls after the release of higher-than-expected job openings data from the US
• The precious metal had been rising after Fed speakers indicated they might be leaning towards cutting interest rates in December. 
• Elevated geopolitical risk from conflicts in the Middle East and the political crisis in France further send investors to Gold. 
• Technically, XAU/USD could be about to extend a wave c lower as it completes a three-wave pattern. 

Gold (XAU/USD) declines two tenths of a percent into the $2,640s on Tuesday after the release of US labor market data reinforces the view that the US economy is on a sound footing. The US Dollar (USD) strengthens after the release putting pressure on Gold, which is mostly priced and traded in USD. 

US JOLTS Job Openings rose to 7.744 million in October, beating consensus estimates of 7.480 million and September’s revised-down 7.372 million, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).   

The data leads Gold to pare earlier gains made on the back of commentary from Federal Reserve (Fed) speakers that increased the probabilities of the Fed cutting interest rates at its December policy meeting. Lower interest rates are positive for Gold because they reduce the opportunity cost of holding the non-interest paying asset. 

Elevated geopolitical risks could also be underpinning Gold amid continued conflict in the Middle East intensified now by the outbreak of civil war in Syria, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and political risk in France. During times of crisis, investors turn to Gold for safety.

Gold edges higher on Christmas-Fed-cut hopes 

Gold drifted higher at the start of trading on Tuesday after comments from several Fed members appeared to lean in favor of the central bank cutting US interest rates at their December meeting.  

Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on Monday that he was leaning “toward supporting a cut in December.” 

His colleague, New York Fed President John Williams, though more cautious, said that further cuts to interest rates were needed as risks to inflation and employment were more balanced. Still, he added: “one could argue a case for skipping a rate cut in December, (I) will be watching data closely to decide.” 

Yet he went on to say, “policy is restrictive enough that a December cut still allows ample scope to slow (the) pace of cuts later if needed.” 

Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, meanwhile, said on Monday that he was “keeping his options open” regarding a cut in December. However, he too appeared to lean in favor of such a move, adding that since the risks to the labor market and inflation were “roughly in balance, we likewise should begin shifting monetary policy toward a stance that neither stimulates nor restrains economic activity.” 

Their comments, as well as better-than-expected US Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) data for November, increased market bets the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points. On Tuesday, the CME FedWatch tool calculates the probability of such a scenario at 72.5% (from the mid 60s previously). 

Technical Analysis: XAU/USD possibly about to unfold c-leg of three-wave pattern

Gold keeps crawling along a major trendline as it continues its overall range-bound development. 

Within that sideways market, Gold looks like it might be forming a three-wave Measured Move pattern. If so, then there is a possibility the next leg will be down, in a wave c (dashed line on chart below), which is of similar length to wave a. 

XAU/USD 4-hour Chart

A break below $2,605 (November 26 low) would confirm a follow-through lower towards the target for the end of wave c at around $2,550. 

The (blue) Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) has recently crossed below its red signal line, providing a sell signal. The MACD is also in negative territory, a bearish sign. Furthermore, its general shape could indicate further downside on the cards, supporting the bearish near-term outlook.