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

NZD/USD: Bullish Prospects Amid Uncertainty

Although the past week was completely uninformative regarding fundamental indicators, it allowed adjustments to forecasts on economic growth, inflation, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's policy strategy based

Kuvat Raharjo 00:43 2025-04-30 UTC+2

USD/CAD: The Loonie and Politics

Early parliamentary elections were held in Canada, resulting in the Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, forming the government. Carney will face the difficult task of negotiating with Donald Trump

Irina Manzenko 00:42 2025-04-30 UTC+2

The Dollar Steps on the Same Old Rake

Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose. While markets assess Donald Trump's first 100 days in office, believers in historical signs point to an event in late April

Marek Petkovich 00:42 2025-04-30 UTC+2

Further Tariff Concessions from Trump

According to rumors and statements from officials, U.S. President Donald Trump intends to soften automobile tariffs by supporting some changes sought by the industry. This will allow for the cancellation

Jakub Novak 18:48 2025-04-29 UTC+2

Trade Negotiations Between China and the U.S. Are Ongoing. Markets Await Results (There Is a Risk of Local Declines in EUR/USD and GBP/USD Pairs)

Markets have once again paused amid uncertainty over whether a trade agreement between the U.S. and China will be reached anytime soon. The cloud of uncertainty that Donald Trump

Pati Gani 10:04 2025-04-29 UTC+2

The Market Has Licked Its Wounds

The market always keeps us engaged. Despite all the gloomy talk of recession, trade wars, supply shortages, inflation, and layoffs, the S&P 500 has declined by just a little over

Marek Petkovich 09:10 2025-04-29 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on April 29? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Tuesday, and none are significant. If we set aside all the tertiary reports, such as the GfK Consumer Confidence Index in Germany

Paolo Greco 07:00 2025-04-29 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – April 29: Are Labor Market and Unemployment Data Important?

On Monday, the GBP/USD currency pair also traded with low volatility and mainly moved sideways, although the British pound maintained a slight upward bias. Despite the lack of market-relevant news

Paolo Greco 04:33 2025-04-29 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – April 29: The Weak Yield, the Strong Resist

On Monday, the EUR/USD currency pair remained immobilized. There were no updates over the weekend from Donald Trump regarding trade developments, and no important data or events were scheduled

Paolo Greco 04:33 2025-04-29 UTC+2

The Euro Looks for a Basis for Another Upward Surge

Business activity indices in the eurozone are declining amid heightened uncertainty. The composite index in April fell from 50.9 to 50.1, nearing contraction territory. At the same time, Germany's

Kuvat Raharjo 00:54 2025-04-29 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.