By FX Empire.com

Economic Events: (GMT)

Just a heads up since gold is volatile and will react to most economic indicators we will begin to post the daily calendar with events that could effect the price of gold. The gold price is sensitive to a number of scheduled U.S. and Euro area macroeconomic announcements–including retail sales, non-farm payrolls, and inflation. Gold’s high sensitivity to real interest rates and its unique role as a safe-haven and store of value typically leads to a counter-cyclical reaction to surprise news, in contrast to their commodities. It also shows a particularly high sensitivity to negative surprises that might lead financial investors to become more risk averse.

These results have a number of implications. To reduce the uncertainty of the return on gold transactions, traders may wish to time their orders flow so as to avoid the release of information that has been shown to affect prices. For longer-term market participants, these results provide confirmation of the pro-cyclical bias of many commodities and gold’s role as a safe-haven during periods of economic uncertainty.

13:30 USD Core CPI (MoM) 0.3% 0.1%

13:30 USD CPI (MoM) 0.3% 0.0%

The Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the changes in the price of goods and services, excluding food and energy. The CPI measures price change from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.

Gold Fundamental Analysis February 17, 2012, Forecast

Gold Fundamental Analysis February 17, 2012, Forecast

Analysis and Recommendations:

Gold is trading up at 1730.25 up by 2.15. after trading down in the early session, and turning to gains on the last hour of trading. Gold had spent most of the day lower, pressured by positive U.S. macroeconomic data and dollar strength. As the dollar moved lower, however, the metal gained traction.

The number of U.S. workers making new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in nearly four years.

The government reporting initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 348,000 last week, the lowest since March 2008.

Other reports had housing starts up 1.5% last month, while wholesale prices climbing 0.1% in January.

Investors pulled out of stocks as media reports said some euro-zone nations wanted to delay Greece’s next bailout money until after April elections, while making arrangements to keep it from going into default. Adding pressure to the situation, tensions appeared to be building between Germany and Greece.

Sovereign Bond Auction Schedule

Feb 20-24 n/a UK 0.375% 2062 I/L Gilt syndication

Feb 20 10:10 Norway Nok 3bn 4.5% May 2019 DSL

Feb 20 10:10 Slovakia Eur 0.15bn Apr 2014 & Eur 0.05bn Nov 2016 bonds

Feb 21 09:30 Spain 3 & 6M T-bill auction

Feb 21 15:30 UK Details gilt auction on Mar 01

Feb 21 18:00 US Auctions 2Y Notes

Feb 22 10:10 Sweden Nominal bond auction

Feb 22 10:30 Germany Eur 5.0bn Mar 2014 Schatz

Feb 22 16:30 Italy Details CTZ/BTPei on Feb 24 & BOT on Feb 27

Feb 22 18:00 US Auctions 5Y Notes

Feb 23 10:10 Sweden Sek 0.75bn I/L bond auction

Feb 23 16:30 Italy Details BTP/CCTeu on Feb 28

Feb 23 18:00 US Auctions 7Y Notes

Feb 24 10:10 Italy Auctions CTZ/BTP

Originally posted here