AGE Daily Gold Update

AGE Daily Gold Update presents a recap on today's action in the precious metals markets. View archives.

1/15/2026: Gold dips after jobless claims

Source: Bill Musgrave, American Gold Exchange

Austin — New York spot gold eased 0.2% to close under $4,617 after lower-than-expected jobless claims lifted Treasury yields and the dollar, spurring traders to take profits from bullion's rise to a new all-time high of $4,646.30 yesterday. Silver gained 1% to finish at $91.87, another record.

First-time filings for unemployment benefits fell last week to under 198,000, the lowest level in six weeks, suggesting that the labor market might be stabilizing. Any number under 200,000 is considered historically low. Continuing claims fell 19,000 to 1.88 million.

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said today that stable unemployment means the Fed can focus on "the most important thing," which is "to get inflation back to 2%." Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, also speaking Thursday, echoed this perspective.

Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields rose on the prospect that a solidifying labor market means that the Fed can hold off on further rate cuts for now. Fed funds futures traders project two quarter-point cuts for 2026, moving the first one back to June.

Tracking higher with yields, the dollar added 0.2% against major rivals on the shifting rate view. A stronger dollar pressures gold and other commodities by making them pricier overseas, while higher yields weigh on gold by increasing the opportunity cost for holding it instead of bonds.

Safe-haven demand also slacked off after President Trump eased his interventionist rhetoric against Iran, saying he has received assurances that large-scale executions of protestors are unlikely.

Platinum added 0.9% while palladium lost 2%.

At the New York spot close: gold dipped $10 to $4,616.30; silver rose $1 to $91.87; platinum picked up $20.90 to $2,419.75; and palladium dropped $37 to $1,838.25 an ounce.