Trade Vanguard S&P 500 ETF - VOO CFD

Last week, we visualised the key potential drivers of gold in a chart focused on recent performance. Understanding the factors that can move gold prices is essential, but translating that knowledge into effective trading strategies is where the real potential can lie.

Earnings growth across the S&P 500 is expected to be modest in Q3, with a projected 4.2% increase in EPS, down from 7.8% in the previous quarter. Information technology, health care, and communication services are poised to drive growth, particularly IT with a forecasted 15% year-over-year EPS increase.

US inflation expectations are steady, with core CPI projected to remain at 3.2% for September while headline inflation moderates to its lowest level since February 2021. Despite the US Federal Reserve delivering a 50 basis point interest rate cut in September, stronger-than-expected job market data has raised concerns about sustained economic demand and inflation pressures.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is set to cut interest rates during its upcoming meeting, with expectations of either a 25 or 50 basis point reduction. This move follows a 25 basis point cut in August as the RBNZ responded to the country’s recessionary conditions and inflation concerns.

Markets are reacting with a US Dollar surge and a potential trend reversal, highlighting the impact of robust economic activity outside of monetary policy influences.

Last week, we explored the key price drivers of gold, and how they impacted the price of the precious metal this year and last. Now, we’ll bring these factors to life in a chart, showing you ten instances the gold price responded to critical fundamental events, including central bank policies, global economic data, and geopolitical events.

Kyle Rodda, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com, previews the US Non-Farm Payrolls report for September. The article discusses market expectations of a stable labor market with 150,000 new jobs, an unchanged unemployment rate of 4.2%, and steady annual wage growth at 3.8%. It also highlights potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, revisions to past payroll data, and the reaction of various markets such as the US Dollar, S&P 500, and gold.