Gold Price Floats Close to Weekly Lows Despite Increasing US Bond Yields and Trade Risk
Gold prices are under strain, trading close to a weekly low of less than $2,900 as increasing US Treasury bond yields strengthen the US Dollar. A minor USD rebound combined with a good equity market mood has dented demand for the safe-haven metal. Nonetheless, volatility regarding US President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy and persisting concerns about the ongoing trade war lends some support to XAU/USD. While in the meantime hopes for further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts based on indications that the US economy is slowing offer a cap to gold losses, market participants look to future US economic releases such as Q4 GDP, Durable Goods Orders, and the Fed’s favored measure of inflation, the PCE Price Index, for more market guidance. KEY LOOKOUTS • Higher US Treasury bond yields are favoring the US Dollar, putting downward pressure on gold prices and capping upside moves. • Doubts surrounding President Trump’s plans on tariffs, especially on imports from the EU, Mexico, and Canada, can affect safe-haven demand for gold. • Market expectations of more Fed rate cuts due to weakening US economic growth can act as a floor to gold, capping its downside. • Major releases such as Q4 GDP, Durable Goods Orders, and the PCE Price Index will provide new information about economic conditions and gold price action. Gold prices are still volatile as investors closely watch major economic and geopolitical events. The increasing US Treasury bond yields have supported the US Dollar, putting downward pressure on the precious metal. In the meantime, uncertainty regarding President Trump’s tariffs strategies, particularly possible levies on European goods, persists and continues to move markets. Regardless of these bearish elements, hopes for additional Federal Reserve rate cuts as evidenced by slowing US growth could offer some purchasing pressure support for gold. Further, near-term US economic data releases such as Q4 GDP, Durable Goods Orders, and the PCE Price Index will be instrumental in deciding the future direction for XAU/USD. Gold prices remain under pressure as rising US bond yields strengthen the US Dollar, weighing on the metal. Uncertainty over Trump’s tariff plans and expectations of Fed rate cuts may influence price movements. Key US economic data, including Q4 GDP and the PCE Price Index, will provide further direction. • XAU/USD trades below $2,900, pressured by rising US bond yields and a stronger US Dollar. • A US Treasury yield rally strengthens the USD, putting downward pressure on gold prices. • New tariffs on EU imports and Mexican and Canadian tariff delays instill market uncertainty, affecting gold demand. • Market speculation of additional Fed rate cuts in a slowing US economy can be bullish for gold. • Q4 GDP, Durable Goods Orders, and the PCE Price Index will be key drivers of short-term gold price action. • The key support is at $2,888, and a break below $2,860 could initiate further weakness down to $2,800. • A breakout above $2,920 may see selling pressure around $2,930, but persistent strength can drive gold up to $2,950-$2,955 resistance. Gold prices continue to be shaped by general economic and geopolitical conditions as investors weigh the effects of increasing US bond yields and trade tensions. The rising US Dollar, bolstered by a recovery in Treasury yields, continues to pressure the precious metal. But worries over President Trump’s tariff policies, including possible tariffs on European imports and ongoing trade tensions with Mexico and Canada, foster an environment of uncertainty. These geopolitical trends tend to propel safe-haven demand, making gold still a part of investors’ investment portfolios. Further Federal Reserve interest rate reductions, fueled by the indications of an economic growth slowdown, may also influence gold’s long-term attractiveness. GOLD Daily Price Chart Chart Source: TradingView Market participants are now keenly observing the significant US economic data releases that may further indicate the economic outlook. Data releases like Q4 GDP, Durable Goods Orders, and the PCE Price Index will assist in assessing the US economy’s strength and impact investor mood. Further guidance on the central bank’s future monetary policy may also be provided by speeches from Federal Reserve officials. Against these events, gold continues to be an asset of interest, with investors weighing its safe-haven attraction against changing macroeconomic fundamentals. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Gold prices are immediately supported at the $2,888 level, with further downside risk to the $2,860-$2,855 area if bearish momentum continues. A break below this area would increase selling pressure, driving prices towards the $2,834 level and potentially the psychological $2,800 level. To the upside, resistance is found near the $2,920 level, with further selling pressure anticipated around the $2,930 area. A continued breakout above this barrier may set the stage for additional gains towards the $2,950-$2,955 resistance zone, which is the record high achieved earlier this week. The next direction will be closely monitored by traders through price action at these significant levels. FORECAST Gold prices might experience increased downward pressure in the near term on account of a rising US Dollar and an increase in Treasury bond yields. As the USD recovers from multi-month lows, investor psychology can be inclined towards riskier assets, decreasing demand for the safe-haven metal. Further, a bullish sentiment in equity markets and confusion over US tariff policies can be adding to short-term selling pressure. If bearish momentum grows, gold may test lower supports at $2,860, with further downside potential towards $2,834 or even $2,800. On the plus side, gold still has recovery potential if macroeconomic conditions become favorable to it. Rising hopes of cuts in Federal Reserve rates, underpinned by evidence of declining US economic growth, may raise gold demand since lower interest rates lower the opportunity cost of carrying non-yielding assets. Apart from that, geopolitical tensions in the form of trade uncertainties with regards to President Trump’s policy of tariffs might underpin safe-haven purchasing. If gold is able to overcome the $2,920 resistance level, it could gain more momentum towards the $2,950-$2,955 zone, with the possibility of testing new highs if positive sentiment continues to build.