At 12:53 GMT, XAG/USD is trading at $30.54, down $0.13 or -0.44%.
Fed minutes can influence interest rate expectations
The Federal Reserve will release the minutes of its September meeting today, which could shed light on the controversial decision to cut interest rates by half a percentage point.
The unexpected size of the cut marked the first interest rate decision in 19 years to face a dissent from a board chairman, revealing significant disagreement among policymakers. Governor Michelle Bowman expressed concerns about inflation risks and favored a smaller cut of a quarter point, while Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted “broad support” for the more aggressive cut.
The minutes will provide insight into the internal debates that shaped the decision and potentially influence investors’ expectations about future monetary policy. Forecasts at the meeting indicated a wide range of views, with forecasts for additional rate cuts by the end of the year ranging from zero to 0.75 basis points.
Gold and silver are expected to react significantly to the tone of the Fed minutes. Signs of a milder outlook could fuel buying interest in precious metals, especially if inflation figures indicate price pressures are easing. Gold, which is often seen as a hedge against monetary easing, could see stronger demand, while silver could follow suit. However, the industrial component of silver demand adds additional complexity, as economic data will also influence the metal’s prospects.
Short-term outlook for silver
In the near term, silver’s ability to remain above the 50-day moving average at $29.58 will be critical. Should the level provide support, a recovery could occur, especially if inflation data point to weaker price pressures, leading to subdued expectations from the Fed.