So much for the so-called "Trump Trade".
Buy gold, gold exchange traded funds and gold stocks.
Those investors panicked into the above trades will now be ruing their losses – at least on paper, unless they've already sold out.
The spot gold price fell to a five-and-a-half-month low yesterday, as the US dollar rose on strong US economic data and confirmation by US Federal Reserve chairperson Janet Yellen that the central bank would raise rates "relatively soon".
That could be as early as next month, with markets pricing in a 98% chance of rate hike in December.
No wonder gold is now trading at around US$1,215 an ounce after falling to US$1,210.73 an ounce – the lowest price since June 3, according to Reuters.
The metal has now lost around 9% from the six-week high it briefly reached after the US election – when it surged above US$1,300 an ounce.
It's the main reason these ASX-listed gold miners are falling today.
| Company | Price | Market Cap | % change |
| St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) | $2.17 | $1,006.7 | -4.4% |
| Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR) | $1.01 | $826.5 | -4.3% |
| Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) | $0.36 | $406.8 | -4.0% |
| Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) | $1.19 | $939.3 | -3.9% |
| Millennium Minerals Ltd. (ASX: MOY) | $0.26 | $214.5 | -3.6% |
| Blackham Resources Ltd (ASX: BLK) | $0.56 | $159.4 | -3.5% |
| EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) | $1.97 | $4,105.1 | -3.1% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $3.61 | $2,202.5 | -3.0% |
| Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) | $20.85 | $16,386.4 | -2.6% |
Source; Google Finance
Over the past month, many of the above stocks have seen double-digit falls in their share prices, and it could be about to get worse.
If US interest rates rise in December and the US economy continues to remain strong, the US central bank is likely to continue raising rates. That will see the US dollar continue rising, and commodity prices sink further.
The one hope for the gold bulls is if president-elect Donald Trump follows through with his infrastructure spending plan and proposed tax cuts. That could force the US Fed to hold off on rate rises and see the US dollar fall.
