Gold Falls as Better US Jobs and Trade Hopes Cool Rate Cut Bets
Gold (XAU/USD) continued to fall on Friday, weighed down by better-than-expected US jobs data and fresh optimism regarding US-China trade talks, both of which took the shine off the safe-haven asset. April’s Nonfarm Payrolls topped expectations, maintaining the unemployment rate at 4.2%, prompting traders to reprice expectations for hawkish Federal Reserve rate cuts. At the same time, China’s indication that it is willing to restart trade talks with the US improved market mood, triggering risk-taking and causing profit-taking in Gold. As XAU/USD pulled back from highs of about $3,269 to move near $3,226, the metal is set to close out the week with losses of more than 2.5%, with technicals indicating a break below major support at $3,200 in the cards. KEY LOOKOUTS • April Nonfarm Payrolls surpassed expectations, keeping the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.2%, leading traders to reduce aggressive Fed easing expectations. • XAU/USD fell below $3,250 and is headed for a steep weekly fall as profit-taking gains momentum with better risk sentiment. • China’s receptiveness to trade negotiations with the US boosted global risk appetite, lowering investor appetite for Gold. • RSI lower trends with XAU/USD expected to break the $3,200 support line to expose downside targets at $3,167 and the 50-day SMA at around $3,080. Gold (XAU/USD) declined on Friday as better-than-expected US jobs data and softening US-China trade tensions reduced demand for the safe-haven commodity. The April Nonfarm Payrolls report revealed job gains beating forecasts, with the unemployment rate remaining unchanged at 4.2%, prompting traders to dial back bets on deep Federal Reserve rate cuts. Adding to the squeeze, China’s commerce ministry indicated that the US was receptive to trade negotiations, lifting market optimism and risk appetite. Consequently, Gold fell under the $3,250 price level, reaching around $3,226 and poised to break even for a weekly loss in excess of 2.5%, with its technical indicators in favor of moving below the support level of $3,200. Gold (XAU/USD) fell to about $3,226 as robust US jobs data and fresh trade optimism cut safe-haven demand. Traders trimmed Fed rate cut expectations, sending Gold towards a weekly decline of more than 2.5%. A fall below $3,200 may reveal additional downside levels. • Gold (XAU/USD) fell more than 0.35% on Friday, trading at about $3,226 and on track for a weekly decline of over 2.5%. • Solid US Nonfarm Payrolls beat forecasts, with 177K jobs created in April and the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.2%, lowering the chances of hawkish Fed rate cuts. • Investors now discount 78 basis points of Fed rate cuts, falling from earlier forecasts, shifting sentiment away from safe-haven assets such as Gold. • US Treasury yields increased strongly, with the 10-year yield increasing nine basis points to 4.312%, putting additional pressure on Gold. • Optimism surrounding trade improved risk appetite in markets, following confirmation that China has acknowledged that the US is willing to restart trade talks. • The US Dollar Index (DXY) declined by 0.20%, in spite of more robust yields, as markets responded mixed fashion. • Gold is near major technical support around $3,200 and faces increasing risk of further declines to $3,167 and the 50-day SMA around $3,080 if selling persists. Gold prices slipped this week as investor sentiment changed in response to strong US economic data and better US-China trade relations. The US labor market reported unexpected strength in April, with Nonfarm Payrolls beating estimates and the unemployment rate holding firm. This firm economic performance prompted most market players to rethink their interest rate cut expectations from the Federal Reserve, as a more robust job market lessens the need for monetary easing. XAU/USD DAILY CHART PRICE CHART SOURCE: TradingView Meanwhile, global risk appetite improved after China’s commerce ministry said the U.S. was open to restarting trade talks. This newfound optimism in trade relations tempered demand for traditional safe-haven assets such as Gold, with investors more inclined to take on risk elsewhere. Therefore, Gold experienced some selling pressure as traders sought to lock in profits and rebalance their portfolios in relation to changing macroeconomic conditions. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Gold (XAU/USD) could not sustain above the $3,250 level, declining after not being able to overcome resistance at about $3,270. Price action is weakening bullish power, with the sellers taking the lead as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) turns lower. A continued decline below the important $3,200 support level may pave the way for further losses, targeting the next support at $3,167, then the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $3,080. On the other hand, if the buyers find their footing and drive the price back above $3,300, it may indicate a new attempt to test $3,350. FORECAST If bullish pressure returns, Gold (XAU/USD) may recover above the $3,200 level and target to regain resistance at $3,250. A clean break above this range would most likely draw fresh buying interest, which could drive prices towards $3,300. If that level is broken, the way could be open to challenge the $3,350 resistance, with $3,400 being a psychological level of importance. Increased geopolitical tensions, softer economic data, or dovish Federal Reserve signals would serve as catalysts for a move higher. On the negative side, a strong break below the $3,200 support level would speed up selling pressure, with Gold likely to move towards the next significant support at $3,167, which had served as resistance in early April. Persistent support for US economic metrics and eroding expectations for Fed interest rate cuts can also weaken demand for the metal further. Should the bearish strength continue, the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at around $3,080 will become the next downside target, triggering a further correction in the short term.