Gold prices are poised to post a weekly gain of more than 0.80%, following a Friday dip, as investors absorb soft US Retail Sales data and declining Treasury yields. The US Dollar declined, boosting bullion’s appeal, while markets factored in more than a single Federal Reserve rate reduction, further bolstering gold’s longer-term prospects. Central bank buying continues to be robust, with more than 1,000 tons purchased for the third year in a row, supporting gold’s bullishness. Technically, XAU/USD is still in an uptrend, with support at $2,850 and resistance around its all-time high of $2,942. Traders continue to watch FOMC minutes and upcoming economic releases for additional price guidance.

KEY LOOKOUTS

• Multiple Fed rate cuts are being priced in by investors, enhancing gold’s attractiveness as the lowering of interest rates lessens the opportunity cost of holding bullion.

• A weakening US Dollar, caused by disappointing retail sales, is making gold look more attractive as a safe-haven asset with economic uncertainty.

• Central banks worldwide continue heavy gold purchases at more than 1,000 tons for the third year running, strengthening long-term bullish trend.

• Gold has crucial resistance at $2,942, with the potential breakout point at $3,000, and support at $2,850 and $2,790 in the event of pullbacks.

Gold continues to be poised for significant gains as several factors underpin its bullish trend. Disappointingly low US Retail Sales have stoked a dip in the US Dollar, bolstering gold’s safe-haven status. Investors are increasingly pricing in Federal Reserve rate cuts, lowering Treasury yields and making non-yielding assets such as gold more appealing. Moreover, central bank buying is still going through the roof, with more than 1,000 tons of gold purchased for the third year in a row, bolstering demand. Technically, although gold encounters resistance at its all-time high of $2,942, a breakout has the potential to drive prices to the $3,000 level, while support levels are critical at $2,850 and $2,790.

Gold will close the week with strong gains in spite of Friday’s decline, propelled by softer US Retail Sales, weakening US Dollar, and rising Fed rate cut probabilities. Central bank buying keeps surging, supporting long-term fundamentals. Strong resistance at $2,942, with a possible breakout to $3,000.

• Gold will close the week 0.80% higher in spite of a Friday pullback, demonstrating exceptional bullish sentiment.

• Weaker-than-projected US Retail Sales caused a weakening US Dollar, improving gold’s safe-haven demand.

• Investors expect several Federal Reserve rate cuts, lowering Treasury yields and making gold even more appealing.

• Global central banks bought more than 1,000 tons of gold for the third year in a row, consolidating long-term bullish pressure.

• The Greenback reached yearly lows, supporting higher gold prices further.

• Major resistance is at $2,942, with the possibility of moving towards $3,000 if the buyers are able to maintain momentum.

• Gold’s nearest support is at $2,850, then key levels at $2,790 and $2,730 in the event of a retracement.

Gold is set to end the week with robust gains of 0.80%, despite Friday’s pullback, as investors respond to softer US Retail Sales and declining Treasury yields. The US Dollar has depreciated strongly, touching all-time lows on a yearly basis, and has further improved gold’s position as a safe haven. Second, investors now have priced in several Federal Reserve rate cuts, resulting in bond yields falling and making non-yielding assets such as gold attractive. Central bank demand also continues to be a primary driving force, as more than 1,000 tons of gold bought for the third year running continues its long-term bullish impetus.

XAU/USD Daily Price Chart

TradingView Prepared by ELLYANA

Gold is to close out the week on firm gains of 0.80%, even after Friday’s pullback, as softer US Retail Sales and a falling US Dollar enhance its safe-haven status. Investors are now factoring in several Federal Reserve rate cuts, causing Treasury yields to decline and further bolstering the long-term picture for gold. Central banks continued their aggressive gold buying, fueling the optimism. On the technical side, gold is supported at $2,942 with a possible breakout to $3,000, while critical supports are $2,850 and $2,790. Market players now wait for the FOMC minutes to see what else they might indicate regarding monetary policy direction.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

The technical outlook for gold is still bullish, even as the metal pulls back recently, trading currently close to $2,883 following a two-day low of $2,878. The uptrend continues intact provided buyers protect crucial support points starting at $2,850, then $2,790 and $2,730. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved out of overbought levels, indicating a possible consolidation before the next move higher. If gold is able to break above the $2,900 level, the next important resistance is at the all-time high of $2,942, with an extension possible towards the psychological $3,000 level. Traders will watch price action and future economic releases closely for additional confirmation of trend direction.

FORECAST

Gold prices’ bullish run is still on as a number of underlying and technical drivers remain in favor of higher prices. If the purchasing interest can propel gold above the $2,900 mark, the next threshold to watch is the all-time high price of $2,942. A move above this may cause additional gains towards the psychological level of $3,000. With investors already factoring in several Federal Reserve rate reductions and central banks still making robust gold purchases, the longer-term picture is still positive. Moreover, persistent US Dollar weakness and lower Treasury yields add to the support, and gold is a good hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.

While the overall trend is positive, gold is subject to potential downside risks from profit-taking and important support levels being tested. If the metal dips below $2,850, more declines would send it to the October 31 cycle high support at $2,790, and then to the next important level at $2,730. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved out of overbought levels, which means there could be a short-term correction. If US economic indicators surprise on the upside or the Federal Reserve hints at a more hawkish tilt in its forthcoming minutes, gold may face greater selling pressure. However, strong buyer interest at lower levels may limit significant losses.