Gold price finds support after pulling back from record highs

• Gold prices retreat from fresh record highs at $2,150 with US yields picking up.
• Investors turn cautious on geopolitical tensions ahead of a busy data week.

Gold price (XAU/USD) has been consolidating within a tight range above $2,070 during the European morning session following a reversal from all-time highs at the $2,150 area.

The US Dollar (USD) is trimming some losses at the week’s opening, with US Treasury yields picking up as the risk appetite witnessed on Friday faded. Investors have turned their focus to a set of high-tier US indicators, with the all-important US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) closing the week, for more insight into the Federal Reserve’s next monetary policy steps.

Technical reasons have contributed to the precious metal’s recent pullback, as the strongly overbought levels reached at the mentioned $2,150 level have prompted a profit-taking reaction from Gold buyers.

Fundamentals, however, remain favouring Gold amid a combination of softer inflation and weaker US macroeconomic data. In this context, Fed Chairman Powell’s remarks on Friday, pledging to be careful with rate hikes boosted hopes that the tightening cycle is over, increasing speculation about rate cuts in March.

Beyond that, the increasing tensions in the Middle East have reactivated fears of an escalation of the conflict, which would involve other countries in the region. In China, news about an outbreak of another respiratory virus has increased concerns about another setback for the world’s second-largest economy and hence for the global economic outlook. These concerns are likely to underpin support for the safe-haven Gold.

In the calendar, we have a relevant amount of key US Data, starting with the ISM Services PMI and JOLTS Job Openings data on Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday’s ADP to lay the ground for Friday’s Nonfarm Payroll (NFP) report. These readings are expected to have a relevant impact on US yields and, by extension, on Gold prices.

Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price consolidates as the US Dollar pares losses

• US Dollar and US yields regain some ground on Monday as the risk rally fades.
   
• News about an attack on two commercial vessels in the Red Sea has reactivated fears about an escalation of the Middle East conflict.
   
• US manufacturing data confirmed that the economy is losing pace in the last quarter of the year, which is fueling hopes that the Fed is done with rate hikes.
   
• US yields dropped sharply after Fed Powell's comments. The benchmark 10-year note lost about 15 basis points to hit fresh 3-month lows below 4.20%.
• According to the CME Fed Watch Tool, markets are now pricing a 51% chance of a 25 bps rate hike in March, from about 40% earlier last week.
   
• In the economic calendar this week, the ISM Services PMI on Tuesday, followed by the ADP report on private-sector employment on Wednesday and the US crucial NFP report on Friday will attract attention.
   
• According to a survey by the World Gold Council, 24% of all central banks are planning to build up their Gold reserves in the next 12 months, on concerns about the USD as a reserve asset.

Technical Analysis: Gold remains steady above previous highs with the bullish trend intact

From a technical perspective, the XAU/USD’s corrective reversal has been contained above previous highs at $2,050, which leaves the broader bullish trend intact.

Four-hour charts show the metal standing comfortably above the upward-trending 50-hour SMA, with the RSI retreating from extremely overbought levels.

On the downside, support levels at $2,050 and $2,030 are expected to provide support ahead of the $2,000 psychological level. Resistances are 2,095 and 2,165.