Gold Prices Rally Near Two-Week High as USD Weakens on US Fiscal Worries and Global Geopolitical Risks
Gold prices rallied to a near two-week high, holding above $3,300, as a weakening US dollar combined with rising fiscal worries in the US. Investor concern over growing US deficit, amid Moody’s recent downgrade of the nation’s sovereign credit rating and divisive tax bill, has dented dollar confidence. Fears of renewed US-China trade tensions and rising geopolitical threats, such as simmering Middle Eastern conflicts, have further fueled demand for gold as a haven asset. Technical indicators further indicate a positive outlook for gold, with the price breaking key resistance levels and ready to test higher targets in the near term. KEY LOOKOUTS • Investors will watch closely what happens with the US tax-cut and spending bill, which could dramatically add to the national debt and affect market sentiment. • Bets on additional Fed interest rate cuts in 2025 in response to weakening growth and softening inflation continue to be a key driver of the US dollar and gold prices. • Disputes over export controls and technology restrictions linger, potentially raising geopolitical risks, and underpinning gold’s safe-haven appeal. • Ongoing tensions in the Middle East and major-power rivalries between countries such as Russia are also fueling uncertainty, underscoring gold’s use as a defensive asset. Investors are watching closely as the evolving US fiscal situation plays out, with the approval of a large tax-cut and spending measure risking expansion of the national debt and dampening market sentiment. While that is on its way out, expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again in 2025 as the economy slows and inflation eases continue to weigh on the US dollar, supporting gold’s allure. Increased tensions in US-China trade relations, specifically on tech exports, provide another source of geopolitical uncertainty, supporting safe-haven purchases. Furthermore, continued unrest in the Middle East and tensions among world powers maintain uncertainty, adding to gold’s role as a sanctuary in uncertain times. Markets continue to be preoccupied with US fiscal woes and possible Fed rate reductions, which are depressing the dollar and bolstering gold prices. Increased US-China trade tensions and continued geopolitical unrest continue to fuel safe-haven demand for the metal. • Gold prices went higher for the fourth straight day to set a near two-week peak of more than $3,300. • The US dollar is weak because of increasing fiscal fears and anticipations of Federal Reserve rate reductions in 2025. • Moody’s reduction of the US sovereign credit rating and concerns regarding the widening US deficit overhang market sentiment. • The Republican-sponsored tax-cut and spending package may add trillions to the US debt, yet another reason for concern. • Resurgent US-China trade tensions, particularly on the export of advanced technology, are amplifying geopolitical risks. • Middle Eastern conflicts and tense international relations remain strong fundamentals for the demand for gold. • Technical analysis indicates a bullish trend for gold, as prices break resistance levels and head towards $3,365 and further to $3,400. Gold prices have continued to climb as a background of increasing economic and geopolitical risks. Concerns among investors regarding the fiscal health of the United States are still at the forefront, particularly in the wake of Moody’s recent downgrade of the US sovereign credit rating. The threat of the passage of a large tax-cut and spending measure, which will add trillions to the national debt, has further spooked markets. Further, the US dollar has lost strength on expectations that the Federal Reserve will reduce interest rates in 2025 as economic growth slows and inflation eases. This pairing has made gold a more attractive safe-haven asset. XAU/USD DAILY PRICE CHART CHART SOURCE: TradingView Simultaneously, escalating US-China tensions over the export of technologies have fueled geopolitical risks, underpinning a risk-averse market mood. Middle Eastern conflicts, such as ongoing military interventions and humanitarian issues, provide another source of uncertainty, prompting investors to find shelter in gold. As several sources of risk coalesce, gold remains in favor with buyers in search of stability in a context of economic and political uncertainty. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Gold has shown robust bullish strength, powering past major resistance levels of $3,250-$3,255 and holding above the 61.8% Fibonacci level of its latest bear move. Daily chart oscillators are becoming increasingly positive, implying upward trend momentum and that the direction of least resistance still is to the upside. This technical resilience is indicative of further advances toward the $3,365 area and even toward the $3,400 level, as long as the price remains above key support levels around $3,300. But any meaningful break below support might attract selling pressure, pushing lower levels of $3,250 and $3,200. FORECAST Gold prices are set to maintain their ascending direction as long as they remain above major support levels of $3,300. Favorable momentum and robust safe-haven demand fueled by continuing geopolitical tensions and US fiscal worries would propel prices to the next resistance level of $3,365. A break below this level would see gold challenging the psychologically important $3,400 level, boosted by continuing US dollar weakness and hopes of additional Federal Reserve rate cuts. On the flip side, inability to find support near the $3,300 level could pave the way for a corrective pullback. Sellers could engage near $3,255 if gold drops below $3,285. Yet a clear break below this support level may result in additional technical selling, pushing prices to the $3,200 level. Such a situation could occur if risk appetite upgrades considerably or if US economic reports lower expectations for monetary easing.
