Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD attracts some buyers near $2,400 as US PCE data lifts rate-cut hopes
- Gold price gains ground near $2,395 in Monday’s early Asian session.
- The easing PCE inflation data on Friday has paved the way for a widely anticipated September rate cut.
- The sluggish Chinese economy and less demand for Gold from Asian central banks might cap Gold’s upside.
Gold price (XAU/USD) edges higher to $2,395 during the early Asian trading hours on Monday. The yellow metal gains ground on the hope of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in September after cooling US inflation data. Investors will closely watch the Fed Interest Rate Decision on Wednesday, with no change in rate expected.
The recent evidence of progress on inflation has triggered expectations that the Fed would start easing monetary policy in September, which boosts the price of precious metals as lower interest rates generally reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. Market analyst at forex.com, Fawad Razaqzada, said that the mixed-to-weaker US data on Friday indicated inflationary pressures and economic activity are waning, paving the way for the Fed to cut rates twice this year.
The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index increased 0.1% MoM and was up 2.5% YoY in June, in line with the market consensus, according to the Commerce Department. The year-over-year gain in May was 2.6%, while the monthly figure was unchanged.
Meanwhile, core PCE inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose to 0.2% MoM from 0.1% in May. The annual core PCE rose to 2.6% in the same period, compared to 2.5% in May. Both figures matched expectations. Investors are now pricing in nearly 90% odds of a Fed rate cut in September, followed by another cut in November and December, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
On the other hand, the sluggish Chinese economy and the lower buying interest of China's central bank might cap the upside for Gold as China is the largest producer and consumer of gold worldwide. Additionally, TD Securities analysts said that Gold will probably continue to face pressure from the effects of overweight long-positioning and a fall in Asian demand.
Gold FAQs
Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
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