Investing.com - With gold prices continuing to mirror moves in the dollar metals traders will be turning their attention to Tuesday’s U.S. retail sales report to try to form a clearer picture of the health of the economy and the outlook for interest rates.
Alongside the retail data, markets will also be watching reports on the housing sector, manufacturing and industrial production. U.S. - China trade talks will also be in focus.
The yellow metal erased early gains on Friday to end lower, but still notched up a weekly gain as a rally in the dollar lost momentum.
Gold futures for June delivery settled down 0.31% at $1,318.20 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The precious metal edged down as the dollar came off the lowest levels of the day.
For the week, prices were up 0.23% after three straight weeks of declines.
The dollar hit its highest levels of the year earlier in the week, pressuring gold. A stronger U.S. currency makes gold and other dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies.
The rally in the dollar ran out of steam after tame U.S. inflation data on Thursday tempered expectations for a more aggressive pace of monetary tightening by the Fed.
The Fed raised rates in March and projected two more rate hikes this year, although many investors see three hikes as possible.
Elsewhere in precious metals trading, silver settled down 0.47% at $16.68 a troy ounce, trimming the week’s gains to 1.5%.
Platinum settled at $924.00, 0.12% lower for the day to end the week with a gain of 1.36%.
Among base metals, copper for July delivery was steady at $3.111 in late trade for a weekly gain of 1.47%.
Copper prices have fallen around 5.6% so far this year after hitting an almost four-year high in late 2017, but some investors see steady economic growth and longer-term supply deficits supporting prices.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, May 14
Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester is due to speak at an event in Paris.
Tuesday, May 15
The Reserve Bank of Australia is to publish the minutes of its latest policy setting meeting.
China is to release data on fixed asset investment and industrial production.
The UK is to publish its latest employment report.
The euro zone is to release preliminary data on first quarter economic growth.
The ZEW Institute is to report on German economic sentiment.
The U.S. is to produce data on retail sales and manufacturing activity in the New York region.
Wednesday, May 16
Japan is to release preliminary data on first quarter economic growth.
Australia is to report on wage price inflation.
The euro zone is to publish revised inflation figures.
ECB President Mario Draghi is to speak at an event in Frankfurt.
Canada is to report on manufacturing sales.
The U.S. is to release data on building permits, housing starts and industrial production.
Thursday, May 17
Australia is to publish its latest employment report.
The U.S. is to release the weekly jobless claims report along with data on manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
Friday, May 18
Canada is to round up the week with data on inflation and retail sales.