Gold futures declined 0.71% to $4,111.20 per troy ounce as of 2:23 PM Eastern Time on May 10, according to CME Group's COMEX exchange data for August delivery contracts (GCQ6). The drop followed US President Donald Trump's declaration that the ceasefire with Iran had ended, triggering a spike in US Treasury yields. Gold, which pays no interest, typically faces downward pressure when bond yields rise as investors demand higher returns in fixed-income markets amid inflation concerns tied to potential conflict escalation.
Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire Over
Trump posted on his Truth Social account on May 10 that Iran had repeatedly requested negotiations with the United States. "We agreed, but the United States made it unequivocally clear to them that the ceasefire is over," Trump stated. The announcement came during US trading hours, immediately impacting financial markets.
Treasury Yields Rise as Equity Markets Fluctuate
US Treasury yields moved higher following Trump's statement, while stock indices initially extended losses before recovering to positive territory later in the session. Treasury yields continued their upward trajectory even as equities reversed course. The bond market's demand for higher yields reflected inflation concerns stemming from the possibility of renewed conflict with Iran.
TD Securities Analyst Cites Investor Hesitation on Precious Metals
Bart Melek, Global Head of Commodity Strategy at TD Securities, attributed the price movement to renewed US-Iran tensions. "Investors are not looking to hold gold and silver at this point," Melek stated. Gold's status as a non-interest-bearing asset reduces its relative appeal in high-rate environments, where fixed-income securities offer competitive returns.
FAQ
What caused gold futures to decline on May 10?
Gold futures fell 0.71% to $4,111.20 per troy ounce after President Trump declared the Iran ceasefire over, triggering a spike in US Treasury yields that reduced gold's relative attractiveness as a non-yielding asset.
How did Treasury yields respond to Trump's Iran statement?
US Treasury yields rose following Trump's May 10 announcement that the ceasefire with Iran had ended, reflecting investor concerns about potential inflation from renewed conflict and increased demand for higher returns in bond markets.