Year-end U.S. unemployment benefits data released, gold rose, U.S. debt fell

Gold rose, US Treasury yields fell, and the US dollar narrowed its gains, as investors weighed better-than-expected US economic data and the impact of the omicron variant on the global recovery.

　　The unexpected drop in the number of people applying for unemployment benefits for the first time in the United States last week indicated that despite a new round of the epidemic, labor demand remains strong.

　　Data from the US Department of Labor on Thursday showed that in the week ending December 25, the total number of people claiming unemployment benefits for the first time was 198,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the revised level of the previous cycle. The economists surveyed estimated that the median was 206,000.

　　The December MNI Chicago Business Climate Index reported 63.1, an estimate of 62.0.

　　After rising to a historical high in 2020, gold prices may close down for the first time in three years, as central banks have begun to shrink anti-epidemic stimulus measures to combat inflation.

　　The emergence of Omicron mutant strains cast a shadow over the economic outlook, and investors are trying to assess its impact on the path of monetary policy.

　　At 1:16 pm on December 30, New York time, spot gold rose 0.5% to US$1,814.30 per ounce. The price of gold has fallen by approximately 4.4% this year. February gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 0.5%, with a settlement price of US$1,814.10. Silver and palladium rose, while platinum fell.