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Bid : 3,087.36/oz
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Gold
Bid : 3,087.36/oz
Ask : 3,096.62/oz
Silver
Bid : 36.87/oz
Ask: 36.98/oz
Platinum
Bid: 1,369.44/oz
Ask : 1,405.05/oz
Refresh in 00:00

Introduction To The Relationship Between Gold Prices and Interest Rates

October 18, 2023

The intrinsic relationship between gold prices and interest rates has existed for decades. When analyzing commodity market trends, the interaction between gold and interest rates deserves close examination. For centuries, gold and interest rates have demonstrated an inverse correlation, though economic conditions and central bank actions can impact the strength of this relationship at different time periods. 

In the following sections, we will explore the nature of how gold and interest rates typically interact based on rises and falls in prevailing rates.

What happens when interest rates rise?

When interest rates decline or remain at very low levels, the relationship between gold prices and interest rates typically plays out as inversely as expected based on history.

With falling rates, safe haven investments like gold become relatively more attractive assets for preserving wealth. As the appeal of fixed-income instruments wanes due to diminishing yields, investment demand often shifts back towards gold. 

This influences the intrinsic relationship between gold and interest rates, driving gold prices higher even as rates drop off. By anchoring on this established inverse correlation under low-rate conditions, investors have continuously treated gold as a viable store of value to hedge against financial uncertainty.

What happens when interest rates fall?

When interest rates decline, the inverse relationship between gold prices and interest rates is often borne out. With falling rates, the appeal of fixed-income assets wanes as yields diminish, shifting investment demand towards gold. Its intrinsic relationship to interest rates views gold as a store of wealth to hedge against financial uncertainty during times of low rates. 

Investors recognize gold traditionally performs well under such conditions, serving as a viable safe haven asset class. As the pull of alternative investments lessens, demand for gold and its price typically rises in tandem with rate decreases.

Its historical inverse correlation to interest rates supports treating bullion as an effective diversifier against uncertain economic environments accompanying low rate periods.

The effect of US Federal Reserve rate hikes on gold prices

Of the various interest rate settings worldwide, adjustments to the US Federal Reserve’s policy rate frequently have an outsized influence on gold price movements in the global marketplace. As the world’s dominant reserve currency, fluctuations in the US dollar directly impact bullion prices across exchanges. 

When the Federal Reserve announces rate hikes, it usually exerts downward pressure on gold values given the strengthening dollar and rising opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

Traders thus routinely monitor upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meetings for any signs of tighter US monetary policy that could move markets by signalling the diminished need for dollar diversification into gold. 

Given its widespread use in gold transactions internationally, the gold price remains highly sensitive to shifts in US interest rate policy set by the Fed.

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