Gold prices are relatively unchanged following strong than expected U.S. consumer optimism and new home sales.
Tuesday, the U.S. Conference Board said that its Consumer Sentiment index fell to a reading of 97.3 in July, following June’s reading of 98.0.
However, economists were expecting to see a a bigger decline in consumer confidence with consensus forecasts calling for a reading of 95.6.
“Consumers were slightly more positive about current business and labor market conditions, suggesting the economy will continue to expand at a moderate pace. Expectations regarding business and labor market conditions, as well as personal income prospects, declined slightly as consumers remain cautiously optimistic about growth in the near-term,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.
August gold prices last traded at $1,320.80 an ounce, relative unchanged on the day and since the release of the report.
At the same time, U.S. Commerce Department said that sales of new single-family homes rose by 3.5% in June to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 592,000 homes, up from May’s revised sales rate of 572,000 units. According to consensus forecasts, economists were expecting to see a modest rise to 560,000 units.
via SOURCE