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Last week saw a moderate increase in the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits. Initial jobless claims rose 3,000 to 213,000 during the week ended September 21 according to a report released on Thursday by the Labor Department. Figures for the prior week were revised upward by 2,000, and overall, the data is still in line with a healthy labor market.

Private payrolls increased by 135,000 jobs vs. 157,000 in August and 125,000 expected in September according to a report released by ADP and Moody Analytics on Wednesday. The monthly average for 2019 so far is 145,000, down from 214,000 in 2018, indicating a significant hiring slowdown.

The ISM US manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index sunk to the lowest point since June 2009 according to a report released on Tuesday. The index came in at 47.8, marking the second month of contraction in a row.

Good morning, traders. Welcome to Monday, and your look ahead at this week’s macroeconomic calendar as it relates to gold, silver and Dollar markets. Gold prices are solidly lower this morning, having failed an attempt to retake $1500/oz just after last night’s global commodities open. Gold spot has broken below $1490, while silver spot prices have fallen through technical support at $17.50 to start the week.

Happy Friday, traders. Welcome to your recap of the week in precious metals markets. Gold prices are markedly lower this afternoon, as the most recent wave of risk-off headlines seem to have come too late to rescue the yellow metal from what has been a strong week for the US Dollar.

Durable goods orders in the US fell unexpectedly in August, although shipments saw a modest increase. Orders for goods meant to last three years or more rose 0.2% after a major increase of 0.2% the month before, indicating weaker business investment.

US consumer spending saw almost flat activity in August, an indicator that the driving force behind the US economy is slowing down following strong growth in Q2 2019. Core-PCE, the preferred measure of inflation, came in at 1.8% as expected. A report released by the Commerce Department on Friday shows just 0.1% growth in personal spending last month vs. 0.3% expected.

The Labor Department reported a slight increase in the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits, indicating ongoing strength in the market. Initial jobless claims rose 3,000 to 213,000 for the week ended September 21 according to a report released on Thursday, while data for the week prior was revised upward by 2,000 applications.

The rate of sales of new homes in the US rose above expectations in August with a decline in mortgage rates fueling increased demand for property. According to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday, single-family home sales rose 7.1% annually, well above market expectations of 3.5%.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rose 3.2% annually in July after a 3.2% rise also seen in June. Despite the steady growth in the overall index, home prices are still undergoing a slowdown in major cities.

Good morning, traders. Welcome to our preview of the week ahead in macroeconomic data for the precious metals and currency markets. Gold is trading higher this morning, near $1520/oz, after initially gapping lower at Sunday evening’s open; silver prices have started the week strongly as well, trading around $18.45/oz.

Happy Friday, traders. Welcome to your recap of the week in the precious metals markets. At the time of writing this afternoon, gold prices appear set to close firmly higher for the week as a relatively calm gold chart over the last four days has been roiled by the sudden reemergence of concerns around the next round of trade negotiations between the US and China.