The yellow metal is retracing from its highest levels before the US growth figures After it tested its highest levels since April of last year at $1948 an ounce in the Asian session, the yellow metal lost more than 0.50% before the opening of the US markets for today’s session, Thursday, January 26th, amid anticipation in the markets for the US growth figures for the fourth and last quarter of last year.

The general index of the US dollar is trading at 101.70 levels, its lowest level since June of last year, rising by about 0.10% during today’s trading, which put pressure on the yellow metal’s trading, benefiting from the high yields on US Treasury bonds.

With the markets anticipating the US Federal Reserve meeting, which is less than a week away from it (Wednesday, February 1), market expectations rose that the US Federal Reserve would slow down the pace of monetary tightening at its meeting in February, as according to the estimates of the futures markets from FedWatch issued by CME, the markets are priced to raise interest rates by 25%.

A basis point in the bank’s meeting on November 1, by 99%, which supports the gains of the yellow metal and the declines of the US dollar. During Thursday’s session, the markets are anticipating growth figures from the US economy, as it is estimated that the gross domestic product may grow by about 2.8% in the fourth and last quarter of last year, compared to 3.2% in the third quarter.

The US economy depends two-thirds on the consumer sector, and therefore, with the decline in retail sales in December by 1.1%, it may put pressure on growth numbers today, and it may be a sign that the US economy may enter a stage of recession, hence the importance of today’s growth numbers.

In addition to the growth figures, the December Durable Goods Orders, Weekly Unemployment Claims and New Home Sales are also expected to be released.

Silver, in turn, is trading at levels of $23.65 an ounce, down by about 1.04%, after gains for two consecutive sessions.

Platinum is trading at $1,030, down by 0.88%, while palladium is down by 0.18%, trading at $1,695.