Once Again, Gold Plunges While the Dollar Soars; 'Hot Inflation' Data Awaited

Gold has retreated to the mid-$1,700 level as a result of another day and another twenty-year high for the dollar.

Gold futures for August delivery settled at $1,724.80 per ounce on the New York Comex, down $6.90, or 0.4%.

Even though the week has just begun, the gold benchmark contract on the Comex is already down 1%. This extends gold's four-week decline, which has resulted in a cumulative loss of $150, or 8%, since the week ending June 3. Gold has declined by 6 percent year-to-date.

The Dollar Index, which measures the U.S. dollar to six other major currencies, has surpassed 108 since October 2002.

"Gold prices are clinging to life as the dollar's surge hits a key milestone," said OANDA analyst Ed Moya.

"Gold will eventually see safe-haven flows, but only after a firm dollar peak has been established. The very volatile inflation figures scheduled to be released tomorrow will likely challenge gold's capacity to sustain its position above $1700.

Inflation in the United States has been at four-decade highs since late last year, with the widely followed Consumer Price Index climbing at an annualized rate of 8.6 percent as of May. The report for June is expected to show an 8.8 percent increase on Wednesday.