What Causes Price Fluctuations in Gold Prices?

Gold is recognized all over the world for its investment value as well as for its use in jewelry making. As a global market, gold prices can be affected by a host of factors. Some of the major potential drivers of live gold prices include:

   * Interest rates

   * Monetary policy * Geopolitics * Risk aversion/appetite * Currency markets * Inflation or Deflation * investment demand * jewelry demand * Equity markets

Gold is typically denominated in U.S. Dollars, and the value of the dollar can have a significant impact on the live gold price. As the dollar strengthens, it can potentially make gold relatively more expensive for foreign investors, driving the price down in the process. On the other hand, if the dollar is weakening, it can potentially make gold relatively less expensive for foreign investors, driving gold prices higher in the process. Changes in the U.S. Dollar Index are a major catalyst for changes in live gold prices on a daily basis.

Gold can also be affected by rising or falling gold jewelry demand. India, for example, is home to a major gold jewelry market. When demand for such jewelry is strong, gold prices may possibly rise. If jewelry demand is soft, however, it may potentially be reflected in weaker gold prices.

Interest rates are another primary driver of gold prices. Higher interest rates can make holding gold relatively more expensive, as there is an opportunity cost to hold gold given the fact that it does not pay dividends or interest. Lower interest rates, however, may potentially have a positive effect on gold. This is due to the fact that lower rates lessen the potential opportunity cost of holding gold, and therefore may possibly make it more attractive to investors.