Gold prices hover around $3,400 as US unemployment claims remain high

Gold prices are currently hovering around the $3,400/ounce mark and have yet to generate new momentum, despite the high number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the first time.

Initial jobless claims fell 5,000 to 245,000 in the week ending June 14, according to the US Department of Labor, in line with analysts' expectations. However, the previous week's figure was revised up to 250,000. Despite the slight decrease, the figure is still the highest since early October last year.

Gold prices are currently trading sideways in a narrow range after failing to sustain gains above the $3,400 mark last week. That gain was largely driven by concerns about conflict in the Middle East, but as the situation between Israel and Iran remains under control in the region, investor demand for safe havens has diminished, making gold lose some of its appeal. The latest record shows spot gold at $3,387.79 an ounce, almost unchanged on the day.

Although claims fell last week, the four-week average rose sharply to 245,500, the highest level since August 2023.

At the same time, the number of people continuing to receive unemployment benefits has not improved much. In the week ending June 7, the number of continuing claims decreased slightly by 6,000 to 1.945 million, showing that finding a job after unemployment is becoming more difficult.

While gold prices are stalling, some experts say a weak labor market could support gold in the long term. As employment weakens, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) may be forced to ease monetary policy, including possibly cutting interest rates later this year.

The Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting this afternoon. However, investors will closely monitor newly released economic forecasts for clues on the next direction of monetary policy.