The gold price (XAU/USD) surged to a record high near $2,450 on Monday, driven by hopes for Fed rate cuts and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Geopolitical risks and uncertainties in the region boosted safe-haven demand for gold. The Federal Reserve officials, including Bostic, Barr, Waller, Jefferson, and Mester, are set to speak on Monday, which could provide insights into the future path of monetary policy. However, cautious or hawkish comments from Fed officials could limit the upside potential for gold.
The Iranian state television reported that there is “no sign of life” at the helicopter crash site of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, adding to the geopolitical tensions. Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin mentioned that inflation is easing, but it will take more time to reach the Fed’s 2% target. Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester stated that the Fed’s current monetary policy stance is appropriate, while Fed Governor Michelle Bowman noted that the policy is restrictive. Financial markets have already priced in a 10% chance of a rate cut in June and an 80% chance in September according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Technically, the gold price maintains a bullish bias on the daily chart, trading above an ascending trend channel formed since May 2. The precious metal is also above the 100-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is holding above the midline. However, the overbought RSI condition suggests the possibility of consolidation before any further upside movement. An all-time high of $2,440 serves as an immediate resistance level, while a break above could lead to a rally towards the $2,500 psychological level. On the downside, support levels are at $2,415 and $2,400, followed by $2,370.
In the US Dollar market today, the USD was the weakest against the Euro. The table shows the percentage change of the US Dollar against major currencies, with the Euro showing the highest change against the USD. The heat map displays the percentage changes of major currencies against each other, providing a visual representation of the currency movements. Overall, the USD saw mixed performance against other major currencies, with fluctuations in exchange rates reflecting market sentiment and economic data.
In conclusion, the gold price continues to gain momentum amid hopes for Fed rate cuts and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The speeches from Federal Reserve officials will be closely watched for any hints on future monetary policy decisions. While technical indicators suggest a bullish outlook for gold, potential resistance levels and support levels should be closely monitored. Additionally, the fluctuating performance of the US Dollar against other currencies adds further complexity to global financial markets, impacting investors’ decisions and trading strategies.