It was a lackluster trading session for stocks, but gold kept shining on Tuesday. The major stock indices were little changed for a second straight day as traders awaited tomorrow's Consumer Price Index report. The S&P 500 gained 0.1% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 9 points, or 0.02%.
Gold however continued its recent bull run, with June futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange reaching a new all-time high of $2,378. It isn't exactly clear what is driving the yellow metal higher, especially since markets are beginning to doubt whether the Federal Reserve will really deliver three rate cuts this year. Geopolitical tensions however are a leading candidate, with central banks such as China's adding to their gold reserves.
Commodities in general are having a moment. Besides gold, copper and oil have also both risen more than the S&P 500 this year. Continued economic strength in the U.S., and signs of a rebound in China, are supporting prices for these economically sensitive materials. But this commodities rally threatens to rekindle inflation fears, especially if it feeds into closely watched prices like that for gasoline during the summer driving season. Can economic momentum really remain so strong if rising commodity costs force the Fed to keep policy tight, or if geopolitical tensions boil over into something even more ominous? Before long, something may have to give. Investors might have a better idea what after Wednesday's CPI reading.
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📅 What's Coming Up?
All eyes on Wednesday will be on the Consumer Price Index report for March. Economists expect the core CPI excluding food and energy rose 3.7% from a year earlier, slightly slower than February's 3.8% pace.
Daniel Silva
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