Precious metals complex looks to be cooling off a bit following Friday’s surge

The precious metals complex looks to be cooling off a bit following Friday’s surge on the back of less-than-encouraging non-farm payroll data and weak import data out of China. The U.S. economy added just 96,000 jobs in the month of August…falling well short of the 120,000 that were expected. The short-fall prompted further speculation that the Federal Reserve’s hand could be forced with regard to more economic stimulus (QE3). The Fed begins their two-day meeting on Wednesday. Chinese imports fell 2.6% in the month of July and while knee-jerk reactions pressured Asian stocks lower, they were buoyed by hopes of further stimulus by China’s central bank.  Meanwhile, investors will be focusing on Europe to start the week as a decision by the German Constitutional Court, on the legality of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), will be Wednesday’s main event. Not surprisingly, the precious metals have seen some selling as profit-taking creeps into the market. However, the anticipation of Fed action on Thursday should provide some support for the metals. There are no economic reports on tap for the day. Have a great day!