Gold exchange traded funds are enduring one of their worst performances since the start of 2015 after a pair of Wall Street banks trimmed forecasts on the yellow metal and as traders absorbed news that Greece probably will not leave the Eurozone.
The SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD), the world’s largest gold ETF, is off 1% in midday trading. GLD is still up 8.3% year-to-date and has added $1.23 billion in new assets, good for the second-best among all ETFs behind only theVanguard 500 Index (NYSEArca: VOO). Last year, GLD fell 2% and shed $3.2 billion in assets. [Gold ETFs in Style Again]
While the leftist Syriza party emerged victorious in Greek elections held over the weekend, financial markets appear comfortable that party leaders will not push for a Eurozone departure. The CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (NYSEArca: FXE) is trading modestly higher today after tumbling more than 11% over the previous 90 days.
GLD and rival gold ETFs also suffered today after some major Wall Street banks released less-than-enthusiastic views on gold. Earlier today, J.P. Morgan said it expects the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in June, which would be bearish for gold. The bank expects bullion to retreat to $1,180 per ounce by the third quarter, $100 below where it currently resides.
Goldman Sachs also has a bearish view on gold for the third quarter and the bank lowered its 2016 estimate on the yellow metal to $1,089 per ounce, according to Barron’s.