Gold Futures Nearing 2 Year lows, Growing Recession Fears Dragging Down WTI Crude Oil, Cotton Futures Touching 4 Week Lows

Summary:

• Gold was expected to have its fourth losing week.
• WTI oil futures are still expected to decrease for the third consecutive week.
• Cotton futures were trading at levels not seen in more than four weeks.

Strong US dollar driving gold down

On Friday, the price of gold was hovering around $1,660 per ounce, close to two-year lows, and was expected to have its fourth losing week in five as a result of the strong dollar and the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate hike. Fears that the Fed may need to act even more aggressively to stop rising prices were confirmed by strong US retail sales and jobless claims statistics on Thursday and a surprise hot CPI reading earlier this week. In times of increased economic uncertainty, gold also lost its appeal as a safe-haven commodity when the World Bank and IMF cut growth projections for major economies and major US companies provided dovish advise on bleak economic prospects. Even though gold is regarded as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, its attraction is diminished by increased interest rates, which increase the opportunity cost of storing non-yielding bullion.

✕ Gold Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart

WTI Crude Oil expected to decline for the third consecutive week

As aggressive monetary tightening by major central banks and concerns about a global recession lowered demand expectations, WTI oil futures remained stable near $85 per barrel on Friday but were still expected to decrease for the third consecutive week. Energy prices were also under pressure due to a strong dollar, which increases the cost of goods for consumers using foreign currencies. In addition, the US Department of Energy reversed earlier claims that the US would replenish its emergency stocks should WTI prices fall below $80, removing the possibility of an oil price floor. This led to a sharp decline in oil prices on Thursday. China is considering allowing greater petroleum exports, which could indicate sluggish local demand on the supply side. The global oil market swung into a "substantial surplus" this quarter, according to Standard Chartered Plc, while Morgan Stanley and UBS Group AG lowered near-term predictions due to recession concerns, according to Bloomberg.

✕ WTI Crude Oil Futures Price Chart

Cotton falling as economic outlook sours

As traders considered the potential of decreased demand and constrained supplies, cotton futures were trading at levels not seen in more than four weeks. New limits on top consumers as a result of COVID-19 China raised further doubts about the state of the world economy as a result of rising interest rates. In its most recent report, the USDA reduced both the U.S. output estimate and the global production forecast for the crop year 2022–2023 by 3 million bales each. The health of the natural fiber crop is in jeopardy, and supply issues have arisen as a result of the hot, dry weather in important American agricultural regions. Crops in India, another significant producer, are still in danger due to unfavorable weather and pest infestations in key growing regions.

✕ Cotton Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart

Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com