Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD declines below $3,450, Fed rate cuts bets might cap its losses
- Gold price drifts lower to around $3,440 in Monday’s Asian session, down 0.25% on the day.
- Precious metal loses ground due to a firmer US Dollar and some profit-taking.
- Rising Fed rate cut expectations might help limit Gold’s losses.
The Gold price (XAU/USD) trades in negative territory near $3,440 during the Asian trading hours on Monday. The precious metal retreats from an 11-week high due to some profit-taking. However, the potential downside might be limited as US inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) could cut interest rates this month.
A slew of US economic data last week, including US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and US Initial Jobless Claims reports, underpinned the US Dollar (USD) and weighed on the USD-denominated commodity price. The US GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.3% in Q2, compared to the initial estimate of 3.0%, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed Thursday. This figure came in better than the estimation of 3.1%.
Nonetheless, the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measurement, stayed higher than the central bank's target in July, but it didn't dash traders' hopes for a rate cut. The expectation of Fed rate cuts continues to support the yellow metal, as lower interest rates could reduce the opportunity cost of holding Gold.
Traders are now pricing in nearly an 89% chance of a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut by the Fed at the September policy meeting, up from 85% odds before the US PCE data, according to the CME FedWatch tool. "We have expectations of a Fed rate cut, or potentially two, throughout this year, (which is) generally supportive for commodity prices across the board, including gold and silver," said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
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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