Gold Prices Retreat Amid US Dollar Strength and Geopolitical Tensions. In this article, Gold prices retreat as the US dollar heads back to a high record. Prices have tumbled recently due to Geopolitical interest. Gold price today.

During the Asian trading session, gold prices fell back from their one-and-a-half-week high. Gold (XAU/USD) price currently at the $2,635-$2,636 area is still paving higher for three days. Gold continues to be supported despite its recent pullback due to a number of factors, including the ongoing geopolitical tensions in Russia and Ukraine which floods haven flows into the metal. However gold has been limited gain due to higher US bond yields and stronger US dollar, which deterred investments in non-yielding assets like gold.

Gold Supported by Geopolitical Tensions

Support for gold prices Still coming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict Gold also remains a safe haven for investors amid geopolitical tensions. In the last few days, that has turned towards an escalation in tensions which is only serving to add fuel to a fire already lit around gold. Tuesday amended Russia’s nuclear doctrine — hinting at circumstances in which nuclear weapons might be used — into its own country, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a similar decree. This step heightened concerns over a wider conflict, which in turn drove investors to seek safe-haven gold.

At the same time, Ukraine — backed by the U.S. — began launching American-made ATACMS missiles at Russian military infrastructure inside Russia. These developments deepen fears of a spillover in the conflict, entrenching gold demand as a geopolitical risk hedge.

Although fears of nuclear escalation are growing, there are also indications of moderation. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia “will do everything to prevent escalation of the conflict, including nuclear,” and the White House responded by saying it would not change its nuclear posture. However, the market remains skittish and these fears continue to look as a tailwind for gold prices in supporting them safe-haven from any potential fallout from the war.

XAU/USD Daily Price Chart

Source: TradingView, prepared by Richard Miles

Rising $US Dollar Limiting the Upside for Gold

So, Gold is Supported by geopolitical tensions but with higher US Bond yields and a Week-to-Date Rebound In The US Dollar, which Has Limited Gold Upside. US Treasury yields bounced back after a minor decline, offering fresh bullish momentum for the greenback. Meanwhile, the strength of the US dollar makes gold pricier for holders of other currencies, which can curb demand for the metal as an investment.

Also, the stronger US dollar occurs while economic activities in the US are anticipated to continue improving assisted by its president-elect Donald Trump’s impending policies. Trump has a history of promising economic stimulation through deep, windfall tax cuts and heavy tariffs that will add to inflationary pressures. That, in turn, could curb the Federal Reserve’s ability to lower interest rates since higher inflation generally requires tighter monetary policy.

US Treasury Yields | Expectation of Rate Cuts

Another major driver of gold prices is the interest rate policies of the US Federal Reserve. Speculation about elevated US bond yields and that the Fed may not be so keen to lower interest rates in the near term has been propping up dollars helping gold upside limited.

Today, markets are pricing in less than a 60% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut by the Fed at its upcoming meeting on monetary policy for December. Fed officials have been vocal enough about rising fiscal deficits and the potential for inflationary pressures, which could keep the central bank from aggressively cutting rates. Kansas City Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Schmid recently commented that huge fiscal deficits would not necessarily send the prices soaring because the Fed would intervene to prevent this. However, Such an approach might hike interest rates and make gold less desirable as a non-yielding asset.

From this perspective, one would be closely monitoring the comments by influential speakers at the Federal Reserve over the next few days as further clues on the path the central bank is going to take emerge. These may indicate whether the Fed plans to cut rates soon or pursue a more hawkish policy, which would continue to gain the US dollar and cap the upside in gold.

Technical Analysis: Gold’s Price Action and Key Levels

Technically speaking, gold’s recovery from a two-month low is worth noting. The price has successfully crossed above the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of the recent sharp decline from its all-time top and, therefore, such movement is positive for a bullish kind of trader. Bullish momentum on the hourly charts, therefore, suggests that gold may continue in the short term, although the next major resistance zone is seen at around $2,658-$2,660. If gold manages to penetrate above this level, it could then push to the $2,670-$2,672 range and, after that, the $2,700 level.

On the negative side, the key support area for gold is close to $2,620-$2,622, which has held thus far. A break below this will be a concern, and gold prices may continue lower until $2,600. The next sets of support lie around the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at roughly $2,555. If that gives way too, then gold may become a victim of a deeper correction as it potentially reaches last week’s swing low near $2,536.

Market Sentiment and the Way Forward for Gold

Going forward, market sentiment is a bit cautious, as investors balance competing influences of geopolitical risk vs US economic policies. Despite the fears of an expanding Russia-Ukraine conflict that has supported prices, prices of gold are capped by a stronger US dollar and rising bond yields. Several speeches by members of the Federal Reserve, to be delivered in the coming week, shall most probably determine market expectations on US interest rates and, therefore, a new path for gold.

While the short-term gold outlook is somewhat clouded, its safe-haven status should continue to lend support, especially if Eastern European geopolitics become more heated. However, unless the Fed signals a more dovish stance on interest rates or the US dollar suffers a significant pullback, gold may fail to sustain gains beyond present levels.

Conclusion While gold is still an attractive haven for investors who want protection from geopolitical risk, upside potential is limited as US bond yields rise and the dollar strengthens. For gold bulls, this means the $2,600 support level becomes vitally important this holds, then gold can maintain its ascent. It would mean a deeper drop if gold breaks below this point and downside risk would increase toward $2,550 and beyond. The near-term price action of gold will directly relate to the wait-and-watch stance of traders regarding the yet-to-be-clarified stand of the Federal Reserve and uneventful geopolitical developments.

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