Gold rates held steady on Monday after hitting a series of record highs last week, while investors waited for US inflation data for insights into the Federal Reserve’s rate cut timeline.

Spot gold was little changed at $2,176.30 per ounce at 1121 GMT, after hitting a record high for the fourth consecutive session on Friday at $2,194.99 as data indicated the U.S. labour market was slowing.

U.S. gold futures eased 0.1% to $2,183.20.

“Gold continues to shine on expectations around the Fed cutting interest rates this year. Market could be waiting for the incoming U.S. inflation data,” said FXTM senior research analyst Lukman Otunuga.

US consumer price inflation (CPI) data for February is due on Tuesday.

“Should the CPI print be hotter-than-expected, this could hit expectations around Fed rate cuts – weakening gold as a result. A cool report is likely to boost appetite for the zero-yielding metal,” Otunuga said.

Traders are pricing in a more than 70% chance that the Fed could start cutting interest rates by June, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Reflecting bullish sentiment, COMEX gold speculators raised their net long positions by 63,018 contracts to 131,060 in the week ended March 5, data on Friday showed.

“With large speculators having increased net-long exposure at their fastest weekly pace in 3.5 years last Tuesday, gold is clearly in demand and not a market to short for any length of time whilst traders expect Fed cuts,” City Index senior analyst Matt Simpson said.

Spot silver was flat at $24.30. Platinum rose 1.3% to $924.40 per ounce and palladium gained 0.8% to $1,028.25.

“We retain a modestly positive outlook on platinum, fuelled by substitution from palladium to platinum in autocatalysts and potential Fed rate cuts this year,” UBS analysts said in a note.

Accurate at the point of publication.

The price of gold today, as of 9:08am, was £1,697.23 per ounce. That’s down 0.05% on yesterday’s closing price of £1,698.02.

Compared to last week, the price of gold is up 3.13%, and it’s up 5.23% from one month ago.

The 52-week gold price high is £1,686.70, while the 52-week gold price low is £1,581.70

Gold Prices Today

Gold Price Over Time

How to invest in gold

Many investors consider gold to be the ultimate safe-haven asset, relying on the theory that when the prices of shares, bonds and property drop sharply, gold may hold its value – and its price can even increase as nervous investors rush in to buy.

Investing in gold is also a way to add diversification to your investment portfolio. When you hold a diversified mix of different assets, including gold, varying returns can protect the value of your investments.

There are several ways to invest in gold. Each has pros and cons…

One option is to buy gold in physical form:

• Gold bars. Known as bullion, gold bars tend to be a popular choice for buying gold. Bullion is typically sold by gram or ounce. Purity, manufacturer and weight should be stamped on the face of the bar.
• Gold coins. The Sovereign and Britannia are popular collectables that command a premium over what you would get for the same amount of gold in the form of bullion.
• Gold jewellery. Like gold coins, you’ll probably be paying extra for gold when you buy it in the form of jewellery – a premium that could be anywhere from 20% to 300%, depending on the manufacturer.

Alternatively, investors can invest in gold indirectly:

• Gold shares. Buying the stocks of gold mining or processing companies is another way to invest in the yellow metal. You don’t get to own physical gold, but you do get exposure to the rise and fall of the price of gold in the market.
• Gold funds. There are a range of funds that provide exposure to gold. They may invest in gold stocks, or they may trade gold derivatives in the options and futures markets.

Should you invest in gold?

You should consider investing in gold if you’re looking to hedge against risk or diversify your portfolio. Gold would probably not be your first choice to earn long-term capital growth.

Over the past five years, the price of gold has appreciated approximately 36% while the total return of the S&P 500 has been 60%.

Gold prices can be extremely volatile, and that means that gold isn’t an entirely stable investment. In fact, you can easily craft a well-diversified investment portfolio entirely without gold.

It should also be noted that gold in its physical form, unlike other investments, does not produce an income or yield.

If you buy physical gold, you also need to consider where you are going to keep it, and whether there will be costs associated with secure storage.

Is gold an inflation hedge?

Studies have found that gold may be an effective way to defend your wealth against inflation, but only over extremely long periods of time, measured in decades or even centuries.

Over shorter time periods, the inflation-adjusted price of gold fluctuates dramatically, typically making it a poor near-term hedge for inflation.

Gold prices opened on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on Monday at Rs 66,023 per 10 grams and hit an intraday low of Rs 65,900. In the international market, prices hovered around $2,178.97 per troy ounce.

Meanwhile, silver opened at Rs 74,181 per kg and hit an intraday low of Rs 74,112 on the MCX. The price hovered around $24.34 per troy ounce in the international market.

Manav Modi, Analyst, Commodity and Currency, MOFSL, “Gold price continues to mark record highs on the back of fall in Dollar Index US Yields, weak economic data points and increased expectations for a rate cut in June. Bullion marked its biggest weekly percentage increase since mid-October.”

The rise in the US unemployment rate by 0.2% to 3.9% and moderation in wage gains offset job additions of 275,000 against expectations of 195,000 in February, supporting the metal prices. Along with US jobs data, US retail sales, factory orders, and private payroll data were reported lower than expectations.

“The dollar index was trading around 102.70 mark, inching lower from ~104. Similarly, the yield on the 10-year US Treasury fell to a more than one-month low, currently trading ~4.05%. Traders boosted bets the Fed could start cutting interest rates in May to around 30% after the jobs report, although June remained the mostly likely scenario at 73%. The economic calendar this week has some important data points in the docket like the US CPI, PPI, IIP and UK GDP,” said Modi.

Echoing similar views, Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst, LKP Securities, “Gold prices continued their positive momentum, buoyed by a weaker dollar that propelled Comex Gold above the $2150 mark. In the domestic market, MCX Gold confidently surpassed the 66000 level, marking a substantial gain of 2000rs for the week.”

KATHMANDU, March 11: The price of gold remained stagnant in the domestic market on Monday.

The price of fine gold is stable at Rs 126,000 per tola today.

Similarly, the rate of standard gold has also remained unchanged at Rs 125,400 per tola.

Furthermore, the price of silver is stagnant at Rs 1,475 per tola on Monday.

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The Sporting News is following the USA vs. Brazil match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

The U.S. women enter Sunday’s final against Brazil as battle tested as they’ve been in years as they hunt for the first-ever W Gold Cup title in San Diego.

An embarrassing defeat to Mexico to close out the group stage brought back terrible memories of the 2023 Women’s World Cup humiliation, but interim head coach Twila Kilgore has led a remarkable turnaround that provides a glimmer of hope for a return to their place atop the global pecking order.

The U.S. clobbered a physical Colombia side before outlasting their biggest continental rival Canada in a 2-2 thriller that went to penalties. There have been heroes up and down the squad in this competition, fostering a togetherness that two weeks ago felt out of reach.

Earning the trophy won’t be an easy task, as the USWNT is now charged with matching up against a talented Brazil squad that has pulverized everyone in its path throughout the tournament, winning its five matches by a combined 15-1 to this point.

USA vs Brazil live score

Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT
Location: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, CA)
Referee: 

Starting lineups:

USA (4-4-2 diamond, right to left): 1. Naeher (GK) — 23. Fox, 12. Davidson, 4. Girma, 19. Dunn — 10. Horan, 17. Coffey, 16. Lavelle, 15. Albert — 22. Rodman, 7. Morgan.

Brazil (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Luciana (GK) — 2. Antonia, 3. Tarcianne, 5. Ferreira — 20. Sampaio, 21. Santos, 6. Ribiero, 11. Leal — 10. Beatriz, 9. Nunes, 18. Portilho.

USA vs Brazil live updates, highlights, commentary

30 mins to kickoff: This will be the fourth all-time matchup between these two national teams in finals alone. The U.S. has won each of the previous three, all by a one-goal margin.

In fact, the first of these meetings was in the 2000 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup final, in which a 44th minute goal from Tiffeny Milbrett was enough to give the U.S. a 1-0 victory in Foxboro, MA. They also met in the 2004 Olympics gold medal match in Athens, a 2-1 win for the USWNT thanks to a 122nd minute winner by Abby Wambach.

Most recently, the U.S won a 1-0 victory in the 2008 Olympics as a 96th minute goal by Carli Lloyd secured the gold medal for the United States.

Arriving at The Snap 🚌 pic.twitter.com/xEU0auCVuH

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 10, 2024

45 mins to kickoff: There’s a big call for Brazil too, as head coach Arthur Elias chooses to bench veteran forward Debinha, with Gabi Nunes given the start up front. Nunes plays for Levante in Spain, with seven goals and three assists in 18 top flight games this season.

It’s fitting, too, because today is Nunes’ birthday, she turns 27 on the day of the final!

1 hour to kickoff: The U.S. lineup is in! It’s a big call from Twila Kilgore as young breakout star Jaedyn Shaw is benched as the USWNT go with four midfielders.

20-149 – At 20 years, 149 days old, Korbin Albert is the second-youngest player to start for the @USWNT in a competitive final in the last 30 years (Mallory Swanson – 17 years, 298 days in the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Final). Trust. pic.twitter.com/xArU1Zh1JQ

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) March 10, 2024

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Brazil has conceded one goal the entire W Gold Cup tournament, but they suffered a massive blow ahead of the final against the U.S. The side’s most experienced defender, Rafaelle, will miss the match after fracturing her left foot during the semifinal win over Mexico.

That could mean a bigtime spot start for 21-year-old defender Laruen, who signed with the Kansas City Current last year and has yet to break into the first team squad.

❌️🇧🇷 Rafaelle NO JUGARÁ la FINAL de la #CopaOroW.

La defensora y capitana de Brasil sufrió una fractura en el quinto metatarsiano del pie izquierdo y fue apartada de las actividades de la verdeamarela. pic.twitter.com/peUUITOMoO

— Mundo Pelota (@mundopelotanet) March 10, 2024

1 hour 45 mins to kick: After finally returning from nearly two years on the sidelines with an ACL injury, Catarina Macario is thriving since her comeback for Chelsea. She scored off the bench in her debut for the club a week ago, and did the same in another substitute appearance today in the Women’s FA Cup.

The USWNT are enjoying a few breakout performances from forwards in this W Gold Cup, but what a massive boost  an in-form Cat Macario would be in this summer’s Olympics if she can prove her value to the squad. They are in desperate need of a true No. 9, and while that’s not her best position, she’s proving capable in that spot. The possibility of Macario proving ready for an Olympic roster spot appears more and more likely each time she finds the back of the net.

Instant impact ⚡️@catarinamacario bags minutes after entering the field for @ChelseaFCW 🔵#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/7F7Sa4pjz2

— Adobe Women’s FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) March 10, 2024

2 hours to kickoff: In Wednesday’s mudbath, Alyssa Naeher cemented her place amongst USWNT goalkeeping lore with her penalty-shootout heroics, not only saving three Canadian efforts but also scoring one herself in a legendary performance.

Having already earned her 100th international cap in the win over Colombia days earlier, Naeher was the talk of the town after the game, as Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan were amazed with her starring role. “She was a hero tonight,” Smith said of the U.S. goalkeeper.

Who will be the hero against Brazil? If the U.S. is to take home the silverware, they’ll need at least one player to step up into that role.

“Every single person contributed in some way… That just says a lot about the group that we have right now and this common mind, common goal.”@USWNT goalkeeper @AlyssaNaeher sat down with @jennyachiu to reflect on her heroics and the journey that led them to the @GoldCup final… pic.twitter.com/3l6dPgGEdK

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 10, 2024

USA vs Brazil lineups, team news

Interim head coach Twila Kilgore has upended the natural order of the USWNT starting lineup, using some of the team’s most popular regulars like Sophia Smith, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett as impact subs through the quarterfinals and semifinals to great effect.

Instead, Jaedyn Shaw has been prolific in a starting role, while Korbin Albert and Sam Coffey have been the ones to start in midfield. The center-back pairing of Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson has been solid, but Emily Fox struggled defensively against Canada.

USA starting lineup (4-4-2 diamond): Naeher (GK) — Fox, Davidson, Girma, Dunn — Horan, Coffey, Lavelle, Albert — Rodman, Morgan.

USA subs (11): Murphy (GK), Campbell (GK), Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Nighswonger, Krueger, Sonnett, L. Williams, Purce, Moultrie, Shaw.

Other than the recent retirement of Marta, all other Brazilian veterans are still producing at a high level. Most notably, striker Debinha is going strong at 32 years old, supported by a host of quality attacking talent.

Her club teammate at KC Current, Bia Zaneratto, also sports over 100 international caps and comes off the bench. Manchester United’s 25-year-old forward Geyse has also made an impact as a substitute, but Orlando Pride defender Rafaelle will miss this match due to a fractured foot, which is a major blow to Brazil’s stout defense.

Brazil starting lineup (3-4-3): Luciana (GK) — Antonia, Tarcianne, Ferreira — Sampaio, Santos, Ribiero, Leal — Beatriz, Debinha, Portilho.

Brazil subs (11): Amanda (GK), Yasmim, Bia Menezes, Ary, Bianchi, Milene, Duda Santos, Vitoria, Zaneratto, Geyse, A. Gomes.

How to watch USA vs Brazil

• Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT
• TV (English): None
• Streaming (English): Paramount+
• TV (Spanish): ESPN Deportes
• Streaming (Spanish): Fubo, ESPN+, WatchESPN

The English-language broadcast rights in the USA to the entire 2024 W Gold Cup are owned by CBS Sports, who are streaming every match exclusively on Paramount+ including the final between USA and Brazil.

There is also a Spanish-language broadcast on ESPN Deportes, which can be streamed on Fubo, who offer a free trial for new users. This can also be streamed on ESPN+ or WatchESPN.

After Alyssa Naeher and Sophia Smith’s efforts secured the U.S. women’s national team’s 3-1 victory over Canada, the USWNT has just one game left between them and the W Gold Cup trophy: USWNT vs. Brazil in the Concacaf W Gold Cup final — which kicks off tonight at 7:15 p.m. on Paramount+. The battle to be the best in the Americas comes to a head tonight when the USWNT face off against Brazil. Here’s what you need to know about watching the Gold Cup final.

How to watch the USWNT vs. Brazil game:

Date: Sunday, Mar. 10

Time: 7:15 p.m. ET

Game: Concacaf W Gold Cup – USWNT vs. Brazil

TV channel/streaming: Paramount+, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

What time is the USWNT vs. Brazil match?

The USWNT vs. Brazil match begins at 7:15 p.m. ET tonight.

What channel is the USWNT vs. Brazil match on?

The 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup will be aired across a mix of CBS and Paramount+ for English coverage, and ESPN and ESPN+ for Spanish coverage.

Tonight’s USWNT vs. Brazil match will air in English on Paramount+ and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

How to watch USWNT vs. Brazil game:

(Paramount)

Paramount+ has two tiers available: a $6/month ad-supported tier and a $12 premium tier that’s ad-free and includes live access to your local CBS channel.  

In addition to sporting events such as the Concacaf W Gold Cup, Premier League and Champions League games, Paramount+ offers a host of other hit shows, new and classic movies and live sporting events. Unlike a lot of other streaming services these days, Paramount+ still offers a one-week free trial — so new subscribers can sign up to watch Lazio vs. Bayern this weekend and check out the rest of the Paramount+ library totally free for seven days.

Try free at Paramount+

If Sophia Smith sounded especially reflective after the U.S. women’s national team’s penalty shootout win against Canada in the W Gold Cup semifinal on Wednesday, it was with good reason.

Her interim coach Twila Kilgore shared that the striker teared up at the end of the game, which saw her score a goal in extra time and bury a penalty kick in the shootout.

The culmination of the sequence was a far cry from Smith’s painful tears that fell last year. For a goalkeeper who’s often emotionless, Naeher’s wry celebratory smile was equally powerful.

So often, a team’s tournament performance is remembered for the performances of their striker and goalkeeper. In this Gold Cup, the U.S. women’s national team program is no exception. Read more below.

first published: March 10, 2024, 09:30 IST

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