Gold is holding firm over the 1100 which indicates strength

Gold is holding firm over the 1100 which indicates strength. Additionally today’s Retail Sales report were weaker than expected and though not as material the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index was way off the mark down -14.67.  These reports are continued indicator of less than lackluster performance of the US economy. With the Federal Reserve Interest Rate decision around the corner this Thursday we can expect to be very much locked into current levels with expectation to hold yesterday’s lows. Also this morning we had Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization both which missed expectations. Tomorrow’s Consumer Price Index should give a little more color as to whether we are truly in a deflationary environment. To most people wh live here it doesn’t seem that way. The world remains in turmoil with political conflict in the Mideast and most tragic Syria, China’s economic woes affecting outside customers and the US barely able to lift the rest of the weight. It continues to look unlikely that the current financial situation will change and we will remain status quo. The Federal Reserve is in  a precarious situation which is a problem for everyone. If they do not raise rates then money still waits on the sideline not certain when change will come. If they do it they may hurt the general economy. No one, including everyone at the FED is sure what will happen if they move. But one thing for sure is that the general populace suffers either way.