Crude Oil Price Drop May Continue if UK GDP Data Disappoints

Crude oil prices paused to digest losses Friday following a brisk, sentiment-driven drop. Gold prices rose as yields continued to drift lower amid lingering global slowdown fears. The rate on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond hit a weekly low, boosting the relative appeal of non-interest-bearing assets.

UK GDP DATA MAY SOUR SENTIMENT, WEIGHING ON CRUDE OIL

Fourth-quarter UK GDP data is in the spotlight from here, with forecasts pointing to a slowdown. Output is expected to have added 0.3 percent in the final three months of 2018, down from 0.6 percent in the three months to September. The on-year trend growth rate is projected to tick down to 1.4 percent.

UK economic news-flow has notably deteriorated relative to analysts baseline projections recently, opening the door for a disappointing outcome. That might compound concerns about a downturn in the global business cycle, sending crude oil lower alongside other risky assets.

The implications of such an outcome for gold are bit more convoluted. Support from a further drop in bond yields may be countervailed if haven-seeking capital flows buoy the US Dollar, undermining the appeal of anti-fiat alternatives epitomized by the yellow metal.

GOLD TECHNICAL ANALYSI

Gold prices continue to stall above a dense layer of support underpinned by a rising trend line set from mid-November. A break through this barrier – confirmed on a daily close below 1294.10 – would expose the support shelf at 1276.50 next. Alternatively, a push above chart inflection point resistance at 1323.60 sets the stage for a challenge of the pivotal 1357.50-66.06 region.

CRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSI

Crude oil prices are edging lower after producing a bearish Evening Star candlestick pattern as expected, hitting a three-week low. From here, a daily close below support in the 49.41-50.15 area opens the door for a decline toward the 42.05-55 zone. Alternatively, a reversal back above the February 4 high at 55.75 sees the next layer of resistance in the 57.96-59.05 region.