- Spot Gold prices head into the week's close trading into the midrange.
- XAU/USD mixed on US NFP miss.
- Near-term trend still tilted towards the upside.
The XAU/USD bid into an intraday high just shy of $2,005 on Friday following the worst read on US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) in almost 3 years, but Gold bids recovered to the midrange of the day's trading to finish up near $1,992.50.
The US NFP report missed expectations, showing the US added only 150 thousand jobs in October compared to September's bumper reading of 297 thousand jobs additions, which saw a downside revision from the initial print of 336K. Markets initially expected an October reading of 180K, and the headline miss has global markets surging into the trading week's close as investors cheer the heralded end of Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hikes.
US Nonfarm Payrolls increase by 150,000 in October vs. 180,000 forecast
Gold initially tapped a weekly high of $2,008 on Tuesday before swinging into a weekly low of $1,970.
Despite the NFP miss, Gold struggled to etch in firm gains as cooler metal heads prevail; despite cooling US data, inflation and excess wage growth remain key factors for the Fed, and a single bad NFP reading will do little to push the Fed off of their "higher-for-longer" stance on interest rates.
Money markets are currently pricing in odds of a full percentage rate cute by the end of 2024, a look-ahead that could stand to be premature as the Fed grapples with getting a firm grasp on price volatility.
XAU/USD Technical Outlook
Spot Gold bids are etching in the beginning stages of a rising channel in the near-term, and bids are leaning towards the bullish side with XAU/USD intraday action trading on the north side of the 200-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA) currently rising from $1,985.
Spot Gold has been trading on the top side of the 200-day SMA currently grinding towards $1,940, and Friday's knock back from the $2,000 major handle sees XAU/USD backing away in preparation for another topside run next week.
XAU/USD Hourly Chart
XAU/USD Technical Levels
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD weakens to near 0.6200 amid thin trading
The AUD/USD pair remains on the defensive around 0.6215 during the early Asian session on Friday. The incoming Donald Trump administration is expected to boost growth and lift inflation, supporting the US Dollar (USD). The markets are likely to be quiet ahead of next week’s New Year holiday.
USD/JPY retreats from the 158.00 area ahead of Tokyo inflation
Soft US Dollar demand helps the Japanese Yen to trim part of its recent losses, with USD/JPY changing hands around 157.70. Tokyo inflation stands out in the Asian session.
Gold hovers around $2,630 in thin trading
The US Dollar returns from the Christmas holidays with a soft tone, although market action seems contained. The positive tone of Asian shares weighs on the Greenback.
Floki DAO floats liquidity provisioning for a Floki ETP in Europe
Floki DAO — the organization that manages the memecoin Floki — has proposed allocating a portion of its treasury to an asset manager in a bid to launch an exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, allowing institutional investors to gain exposure to the memecoin.
2025 outlook: What is next for developed economies and currencies?
As the door closes in 2024, and while the year feels like it has passed in the blink of an eye, a lot has happened. If I had to summarise it all in four words, it would be: ‘a year of surprises’.
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads
VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.