The XAU/USD pair is consolidating near 2040.00, being under pressure from technical factors and waiting for the publication of US macroeconomic data. The day before, gold has shown a steady growth, reacting to the latest evidence of a decrease in inflationary pressures in the US. In March, the Producer Price Index decreased by 0.5% in monthly terms and slowed down from 4.9% to 2.7% in annual terms, which, coupled with the data on consumer inflation that came out the day before, could put significant pressure on the decision of the US Fed on next meeting in May. Investors are also discussing the minutes of the last meeting of the Fed, which were published on Wednesday, April 12, and reflected the officials' concern about the state of regional banks. In addition, the regulator allows the emergence of a recession during 2023, if external economic conditions do not begin to noticeably improve.
The United States of America
March US retail sales and industrial production data were released today and were mixed. Thus, the volume of retail sales decreased more than experts expected – by 1.0% instead of 0.4%, which is the second decrease in a row and illustrates the pressure on the national economy. The volume of industrial production in March rose by 0.4%, exceeding the forecast of 0.2%. We also note the latest comments of the head of the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) of Atlanta, Raphael Bostic. Today, he said that the beginning slowdown in consumer prices and the decline in producer price inflation prove the correctness of the decision of the US Fed. The official noted that another 25 basis points increase in the interest rate would be appropriate, after which the cycle of monetary tightening could be completed.
The United States of America
March US retail sales and industrial production data were released today and were mixed. Thus, the volume of retail sales decreased more than experts expected – by 1.0% instead of 0.4%, which is the second decrease in a row and illustrates the pressure on the national economy. The volume of industrial production in March rose by 0.4%, exceeding the forecast of 0.2%. We also note the latest comments of the head of the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) of Atlanta, Raphael Bostic. Today, he said that the beginning slowdown in consumer prices and the decline in producer price inflation prove the correctness of the decision of the US Fed. The official noted that another 25 basis points increase in the interest rate would be appropriate, after which the cycle of monetary tightening could be completed.
