20-Sep (USAGOLD) — Gold has regained the $1800 level once again, following yesterday’s late downgrade of Italy by S&P. The only surprise there was that it was S&P, rather than Moody’s, that issued the downgrade. It was widely anticipated that Moody’s would downgrade Italy late last week when their normal 90-day review period lapsed. They have yet to do so, as the review apparently continues. The euro pretty readily absorbed the news, dipping briefly back below 1.3600, but it didn’t stay down for long.

The IMF slashed both global and US growth expectations this morning: The IMF now believes the global economy will grow just 4% this year and next, a negative revision from their June estimates of 4.3% for 2011 and 4.5% next year. IMF cut its US growth forecasts to 1.5% for this year, versus 2.5% previously and 1.8% for 2012, versus 2.7% previously. The IMF’s confirmation of growth risks intensifies expectations that the Fed will be forced to offer additional accommodations when the 2-day FOMC meeting concludes tomorrow.

• US housing starts -5.0% to 571k pace in Aug, well below market expectations of 593k, vs negative revised 601k in Jul.
• Canada leading indicator flat in Aug, above market expectations of -0.1%, vs +0.1% in Jul.
• Canada wholesale trade +0.8% in Jul, just above expectations, vs flat in Jun.
• Switzerland trade balance CHF0.8 bln in Aug, vs 2.825 bln in Jul.
• Sweden GDP – Final (sa) revised down to 0.9% in Q2, just below market expectations, vs 1.0% previously.
• Italy industrial orders (sa) +1.8% m/m in Jul, vs 4.1% in Jun; 6.5% y/y.
• Germany PPI -0.3% m/m in Aug, below market expectations of 0.2%, vs 0.7% in Jul; 5.5% y/y.
• Germany ZEW economic sentiment falls to -43.3 in Sep, below market expectations, vs -37.6 in Jul; Current situation drops to 43.6 from 53.5.
• Japan leading index (revised) 2.6 m/m in Jul, vs 2.7 previously.