Currency markets have seen massive volatility this morning after the SNB decision to fix the Swiss franc to the euro.
Gold is trading at USD 1,899.50, EUR 1,339.10 , GBP 1,177.30, CHF 1,611.10 (up from CHF 1,486.50 yesterday) and JPY 146,350 per ounce. Gold is down 0.18% in dollar terms and strong physical demand continues at these levels.
Just prior to the announcement, spot gold for immediate delivery had risen to a new record nominal high of $1,921.15/oz in early morning trading in Europe.
Cross Currency Table
Then just before 0900 hours GMT came the news that the Swiss National Bank has decided to fix the country's exchange rate at 1.20 Swiss francs per euro. The SNB indicated it would buy an unlimited amount of euros regardless of the risk to maintain that value.
In a matter of minutes, gold fell 3% from the high of $1,921.15 to an inter day low of $1862.72. It then recovered as quickly and surged back to over $1,912/oz.
Gold’s London AM fix this morning was USD 1,891.00, EUR 1,330.75, GBP 1172.86 per ounce. Gold fixed lower in all currencies (USD 1,896.50, EUR 1,341.13, GBP 1174.67 per ounce).
The SNB announced the currency fix because of what it called "the current massive overvaluation of the Swiss franc."
It said it will "no longer tolerate" an exchange rate below the minimum rate of 1.20 francs, which it said is still high.
Gold in Swiss francs – 1 Day (Tick)
The euro, which had been trading at close to 1.10 Swiss francs before the announcement, surged 9% to 1.2024 in the minutes afterwards.
Given the inherent frailties of the euro, it is more apt to say that the Swiss franc plunged 9% against the euro.
The SNB said in a statement that it "is prepared to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities."
The SNB has once again clearly indicated that the so called safe haven currency that is the Swiss franc is set to be debased alongside the dollar, the euro, the pound and all fiat currencies.
Gold’s volatility is often overstated and the moves this morning are purely a function of massive volatility being seen in the international currency markets.
Gold in Swiss francs – 1 Year (Daily)
This volatility is set to continue and increase in coming months as the ramifications of QE1, QE2, further quantitative easing and injections of trillions of dollars, euros, pounds, yen and Swiss francs into the global financial system are felt.
Such volatility will of course be beneficial to gold as it will lead to further diversification into gold as store of wealth buyers, including central banks, seek to protect themselves from currency volatility and the debasement of currencies internationally.
While the SNB news has provided a short term boost to the euro, the outlook for the ‘single’ currency is uncertain to say the least, despite massive denial amongst decision makers.
While all the markets are focusing on the SNB announcement today, its timing is interesting as it comes a day before a critical decision regarding the future of the European project, the European Union and the euro itself.
The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe will issue a ruling on the legality of last year's bail-out packages tomorrow at 1000.
The Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht), Karlsruhe, Germany
The court is expected to demand that the German government does more to ensure "democratic legitimacy" for its support for European wide bail-outs and to set conditions on continuing German support for the policy.
It is also possible that the court could throw the euro into chaos. Many analysts warn that the judges are likely to impose restrictions on the German government that could make decision making in the zone even more cumbersome than it already is.
It is also possible that the panel of judges ban Germany from taking part altogether, a drastic step that would deprive the EU rescue fund of its biggest contributor and undermine the very integrity of the euro.
Given these and the myriad of other macroeconomic, geopolitical and systemic issues facing the global financial and economic system today, it is amusing that some can confidently assert that gold is a bubble.
Unfortunately, this leads to people again being lulled into a false sense of security and to a lack of real diversification.
For the latest news and commentary on financial markets and gold please follow us on Twitter
Disclaimer: The information in this document has been obtained from sources, which we believe to be reliable. We cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. It does not constitute a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any investment. Any person acting on the information contained in this document does so at their own risk. Recommendations in this document may not be suitable for all investors. Individual circumstances should be considered before a decision to invest is taken. Investors should note the following: Past experience is not necessarily a guide to future performance. The value of investments may fall or rise against investors’ interests. Income levels from investments may fluctuate. Changes in exchange rates may have an adverse effect on the value of, or income from, investments denominated in foreign currencies. GoldCore Limited, trading as GoldCore is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The provision of precious metal product or service does not require licensing, authorisation, or registration with the Irish Central Bank and, as a result, it is not covered by the Irish Central Bank's requirements designed to protect consumers or by a statutory compensation scheme.
The content on this site is protected
by U.S. and international copyright laws and is the property of GoldSeek.com
and/or the providers of the content under license. By "content" we mean any
information, mode of expression, or other materials and services found on GoldSeek.com.
This includes editorials, news, our writings, graphics, and any and all other
features found on the site. Please contact
us for any further information.
Live GoldSeek Visitor Map | Disclaimer
The views contained here may not represent the views of GoldSeek.com, Gold Seek LLC, its affiliates or advertisers. GoldSeek.com, Gold Seek LLC makes no representation, warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy
or completeness of the information (including news, editorials, prices, statistics,
analyses and the like) provided through its service. Any copying, reproduction
and/or redistribution of any of the documents, data, content or materials contained
on or within this website, without the express written consent of GoldSeek.com, Gold Seek LLC,
is strictly prohibited. In no event shall GoldSeek.com, Gold Seek LLC or its affiliates be
liable to any person for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon
the information provided herein.
