empty
27.03.2024 10:48 AM
It's time for gold to cool down

Gold has surged by 5.1% since the beginning of the year, breaking the significant milestone of $2,200 per ounce for the first time ever. The upward trajectory of XAU/USD appears robust, yet the question remains: do the bulls possess adequate momentum to sustain the rally? It seems the previous advantages of the precious metal have been depleted, with no new ones on the horizon. Perhaps it's time for a correction.

A favorable external background for gold is considered to be the slowdown of the American economy, which pushes the Federal Reserve towards reducing the federal funds rate, the increase in geopolitical tensions, and strong demand for physical assets. In this regard, the conflict in the Middle East, increased purchases of precious metals by central banks and China have become catalysts for the XAU/USD rally. However, the World Gold Council does not forecast that central banks will break records from 2022, and the 48% month-on-month reduction in gold imports by China through Hong Kong to 39.8 tons indicates a waning demand.

Dynamics of Gold Imports by China via Hong Kong

This image is no longer relevant

Goldman Sachs and Invesco believe that the widespread loosening of monetary policy by the world's leading central banks will create a tailwind for commodity market assets due to increased consumption by companies and the population. However, the Federal Reserve does not intend to rush with rate cuts. Moreover, at the beginning of 2024, investors expected six acts of monetary expansion per year. Now, only three are expected. This has led to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major world currencies and an increase in Treasury bond yields. Both factors are bearish for XAU/USD.

One of the reasons cited is the strength of the American economy. If in September Bloomberg experts forecasted a GDP expansion of 0.9% in 2024, then in March they raised their estimates to 2.2%. Against this background, gold should feel out of place.

Dynamics of the Commodity Market Index

This image is no longer relevant

Nevertheless, the precious metal is not in a hurry to leave the area of record highs. It is not deterred by negative capital flows into specialized exchange-traded funds, the leadership of the U.S. dollar in the G10 currency race, and Financial Times experts' forecasts that the Federal Reserve will lower the federal funds rate no more than twice in 2024.

This image is no longer relevant

This could happen if American inflation continues to accelerate and ultimately reaches a new peak. In this regard, the increase in the pace of growth in the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index in February is a reason for caution for the Federal Reserve. There is currently a split within the central bank. While Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic believes that rates should be lowered once this year, his Chicago colleague Austan Goolsbee advocates for three acts of monetary expansion.

Technically, several reversal patterns can be formed on the daily gold chart—from 1-2-3 to Head and Shoulders. The bears' intention to seize the initiative is confirmed by the emergence of a pin bar with a long upper shadow. To work with it, a breakthrough of the base near $2,168 per ounce is required. A successful assault on this support level could be used to sell the precious metal.

Marek Petkovich,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

The Likelihood of a Euro Reversal to the South Is Increasing

As expected, the ECB cut all key interest rates by a quarter-point, bringing the deposit rate down to 2.25%. At this meeting, no new staff projections were released, and given

Kuvat Raharjo 12:01 2025-04-23 UTC+2

Markets Await a Massive Rally if the U.S. Starts Real Negotiations with China (There is a likelihood of continued growth in #NDX and Ethereum)

A new wave of euphoria has swept through the markets. Many believe it's not a coincidence: take everything away from a person and then provide them with even the smallest

Pati Gani 09:03 2025-04-23 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on April 23? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A considerable number of macroeconomic events are scheduled for Wednesday. All of them are Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reports for April in the services and manufacturing sectors. The indices will

Paolo Greco 07:01 2025-04-23 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – April 23: The British Pound Can't Stop Smiling

On Tuesday, the GBP/USD currency pair traded much more calmly, yet again showed signs of a "maxed-out flat" pattern. As previously noted, the US dollar has only had two behaviors

Paolo Greco 04:56 2025-04-23 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – April 23: Another Calm Before Another Collapse?

The EUR/USD currency pair traded more calmly on Tuesday than on Monday. The US dollar managed to avoid another fall, but it's too early to celebrate. The greenback can collapse

Paolo Greco 04:56 2025-04-23 UTC+2

USD/JPY. On the Threshold of the 139th Figure

The USD/JPY pair has been in a consistent downtrend for the fourth consecutive week. On Tuesday, sellers pushed the pair to the edge of the 139.00 area, hitting the lowest

Irina Manzenko 00:46 2025-04-23 UTC+2

The Dollar Has Been Replaced. Nature Abhors a Vacuum

Fear paralyzes, but action persists. Investors are slowly overcoming their concerns over Donald Trump's attacks on the independence of the Federal Reserve and are starting to lock in profits

Marek Petkovich 00:08 2025-04-23 UTC+2

Bitcoin Took Its Chance

Slow and steady wins the race! Bitcoin quietly broke through to its highest levels since early March amid Donald Trump's attacks on Jerome Powell. When the independence of the Federal

Marek Petkovich 00:08 2025-04-23 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

After setting a new all-time high at $3500 under overbought conditions, gold prices are pulling back. Nevertheless, bullish sentiment remains strong due to persistent concerns over the potential economic fallout

Irina Yanina 19:02 2025-04-22 UTC+2

EUR/GBP. Analysis and Forecast

The EUR/GBP pair is losing ground today after two consecutive days of gains, trading near the psychological level of 0.8600. The pound is receiving support from optimism surrounding ongoing trade

Irina Yanina 11:52 2025-04-22 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.