(Kitco News) - World stock markets were mostly weaker and tried to stabilize Tuesday after the sharp sell-off in U.S. and European equities on Monday. Asian stock markets followed on Tuesday by trading lower. Markets in China are still closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward weaker openings when the New York day session begins.
Gold prices are posting good gains Tuesday morning, on safe-haven demand amid the world stock market selling pressure.
The world marketplace is still uneasy regarding executive moves the new U.S. president has made. President Donald Trump on Monday fired the acting U.S. attorney general when she refused to support his immigration ban. This seemingly growing uncertainty, including related world stock market weakness, is a mildly bullish element for the safe-haven gold market.
In overnight news, Euro zone gross domestic product in the fourth quarter was up 0.5% from the third quarter and was up 1.8%, year-on-year. Those numbers were just above market expectations. The Euro zone January consumer price index was up 1.8% versus up 1.1% in December.
The Bank of Japan left its monetary policy unchanged at its regular meeting Tuesday, as expected. The BOJ officials, when asked by reporters, did say they were concerned about protectionist moves by the U.S., under its new president.
The U.S. dollar index is lower Tuesday morning. Recent selling pressure has produced technical clues the dollar index has put in a near-term market top. The dollar index is in a near-term price downtrend.
The other key "outside market" on Tuesday sees Nymex crude oil prices trading slightly lower. The latest U.S. rig count shows U.S. shale oil production is on the rise, which is limiting the upside in crude oil.
The Federal Reserve's FOMC meeting begins Tuesday morning and ends Wednesday afternoon with a statement. No change in U.S. interest rates or monetary policy is expected. However, the wording of the statement will be closely scrutinized for clues regarding the future path of monetary policy.
U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Johnson Redbook and Goldman Sachs retail sales reports, the employment cost index, the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index, the ISM Chicago business survey, and the consumer confidence index.
By Jim Wyckoff, contributing to Kitco News; [email protected]
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