(Kitco News) – The gold market is seeing new bullish momentum after U.S. inflation data rose to its highest level in more than three decades, and some analysts are looking for a move back to $1,900 an ounce in the near term.
According to some analysts, gold is catching a new bid as inflation pressures ramp up, raising concerns that the Federal Reserve will be behind the inflation curve.
“Inflation is here and it’s only going to get worse,” said Bob Haberkorn, senior commodities broker with RJO Futures. “There is a major concern that the Federal Reserve is limited to what it can do to stop inflation from rising. There is a real fear among investors that the Fed will lose control.”
The latest inflation data pointed to broad-based increases in consumer goods. Food was up 5.3% from a year ago – the biggest increase since January 2009. Gasoline prices surged 6.1%, marking the biggest gain since March.
The rise in inflation comes as U.S. consumers start their holiday shopping and prepare for Thanksgiving.
Helping to support gold’s breakout through critical resistance at $1,835 has been a drop in real interest rates. Following the latest Consumer Price Index data, real yields on 10-year notes dropped to a record low of -1.235%.
Along with the drop in real yields the break-even rate, the difference between nominal 10-year bond yields and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities rose to 2.64%. Analysts note this indicates that bond markets are pricing in even more inflation risk.
While off their highs, gold prices last traded at $1,858 an ounce, up 1.5% on the day. The precious metal is currently trading at a five-month high.
Haberkorn added that he expects that this is just the start of gold’s move higher. He said that his next target for gold is between $1,900 and $1,920.
“If gold is going to rally, it is because of this new inflation fear,” he said.
Colin Cieszynski, chief market strategist at SIA Wealth Management, said that he also sees gold prices pushing to $1,920.
“This was a significant breakout for gold, and there is not much between here and $1,900,” he said.
Cieszynski added that not only did gold break a significant resistance level, but it did so even as the U.S. dollar has pushed higher. The U.S. dollar index is currently trading near a one-year high back above 94.50 points.
“The fact that gold can break out when the U.S. dollar is rallying means that it has the momentum to move higher,” said Cieszynski.
Darin Newsom, president of Darin Newsom analysis, said that he is also looking for gold to push higher in the near term. He added that there are signs that the U.S. dollar is topping out, which will benefit all major commodities.
“I’d look for Dec gold to possibly test that old group of highs, roughly the $1,875 to $1,915 range. That means the contract looks to have limited intermediate-term upside potential at this time,” he said. “Weekly stochastics have moved above the overbought level of 80%, meaning buying interest could start to slow, but we are seeing no sign of a bearish reversal at this point. That could be a couple of weeks away yet.”
While gold prices have room to move higher, some analysts noted that there is some initial resistance at $1,870 an ounce.
Most job search advice is cookie-cutter. The advice you’re following is almost certainly the same advice other job seekers follow, making you just another candidate following the same script.
In today’s hyper-competitive job market, standing out is critical, a challenge most job seekers struggle with. Instead of relying on generic questions recommended by self-proclaimed career coaches, which often lead to a forgettable interview, ask unique, thought-provoking questions that’ll spark engaging conversations and leave a lasting impression.
Your level of interest in the company and the role.
Contributing to your employer’s success is essential.
You desire a cultural fit.
Here are the top four questions experts recommend candidates ask; hence, they’ve become cliché questions you should avoid asking:
“What are the key responsibilities of this position?”
Most likely, the job description answers this question. Therefore, asking this question indicates you didn’t read the job description. If you require clarification, ask, “How many outbound calls will I be required to make daily?” “What will be my monthly revenue target?”
“What does a typical day look like?”
Although it’s important to understand day-to-day expectations, this question tends to elicit vague responses and rarely leads to a deeper conversation. Don’t focus on what your day will look like; instead, focus on being clear on the results you need to deliver. Nobody I know has ever been fired for not following a “typical day.” However, I know several people who were fired for failing to meet expectations. Before accepting a job offer, ensure you’re capable of meeting the employer’s expectations.
“How would you describe the company culture?”
Asking this question screams, “I read somewhere to ask this question.” There are much better ways to research a company’s culture, such as speaking to current and former employees, reading online reviews and news articles. Furthermore, since your interviewer works for the company, they’re presumably comfortable with the culture. Do you expect your interviewer to give you the brutal truth? “Be careful of Craig; get on his bad side, and he’ll make your life miserable.” “Bob is close to retirement. I give him lots of slack, which the rest of the team needs to pick up.”
Truism: No matter how much due diligence you do, only when you start working for the employer will you experience and, therefore, know their culture firsthand.
“What opportunities are there for professional development?”
When asked this question, I immediately think the candidate cares more about gaining than contributing, a showstopper. Managing your career is your responsibility, not your employer’s.
Cliché questions don’t impress hiring managers, nor will they differentiate you from your competition. To transform your interaction with your interviewer from a Q&A session into a dynamic discussion, ask unique, insightful questions.
Here are my four go-to questions—I have many more—to accomplish this:
“Describe your management style. How will you manage me?”
This question gives your interviewer the opportunity to talk about themselves, which we all love doing. As well, being in sync with my boss is extremely important to me. The management style of who’ll be my boss is a determining factor in whether or not I’ll accept the job.
“What is the one thing I should never do that’ll piss you off and possibly damage our working relationship beyond repair?”
This question also allows me to determine whether I and my to-be boss would be in sync. Sometimes I ask, “What are your pet peeves?”
“When I join the team, what would be the most important contribution you’d want to see from me in the first six months?”
Setting myself up for failure is the last thing I want. As I mentioned, focus on the results you need to produce and timelines. How realistic are the expectations? It’s never about the question; it’s about what you want to know. It’s important to know whether you’ll be able to meet or even exceed your new boss’s expectations.
“If I wanted to sell you on an idea or suggestion, what do you need to know?”
Years ago, a candidate asked me this question. I was impressed he wasn’t looking just to put in time; he was looking for how he could be a contributing employee. Every time I ask this question, it leads to an in-depth discussion.
Other questions I’ve asked:
“What keeps you up at night?”
“If you were to leave this company, who would follow?”
“How do you handle an employee making a mistake?”
“If you were to give a Ted Talk, what topic would you talk about?”
“What are three highly valued skills at [company] that I should master to advance?”
“What are the informal expectations of the role?”
“What is one misconception people have about you [or the company]?”
Your questions reveal a great deal about your motivations, drive to make a meaningful impact on the business, and a chance to morph the questioning into a conversation. Cliché questions don’t lead to meaningful discussions, whereas unique, thought-provoking questions do and, in turn, make you memorable.
Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. You can send Nick your questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
CALGARY – Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. reported a third-quarter profit of $2.27 billion, down from $2.34 billion in the same quarter last year.
The company says the profit amounted to $1.06 per diluted share for the quarter that ended Sept. 30 compared with $1.06 per diluted share a year earlier.
Product sales totalled $10.40 billion, down from $11.76 billion in the same quarter last year.
Daily production for the quarter averaged 1,363,086 barrels of oil equivalent per day, down from 1,393,614 a year ago.
On an adjusted basis, Canadian Natural says it earned 97 cents per diluted share for the quarter, down from an adjusted profit of $1.30 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 90 cents per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2024.
CALGARY – Cenovus Energy Inc. reported its third-quarter profit fell compared with a year as its revenue edged lower.
The company says it earned $820 million or 42 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, down from $1.86 billion or 97 cents per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue for the quarter totalled $14.25 billion, down from $14.58 billion in the same quarter last year.
Total upstream production in the quarter amounted to 771,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day, down from 797,000 a year earlier.
Total downstream throughput was 642,900 barrels per day compared with 664,300 in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Cenovus says its funds flow amounted to $1.05 per diluted share in its latest quarter, down from adjusted funds flow of $1.81 per diluted share a year earlier.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2024.
