|

Gold price remain uncertain ahead of the US election

  • Investors historically consider gold a safe-haven asset, especially during times of instability.

  • Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly Iran's threats against Israel, add another layer of uncertainty.

  • Gold prices remain uncertain, with the U.S. presidential election and various economic factors driving volatility.

The heightened political uncertainty stemming from the tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has had a noticeable impact on financial markets. This has also influenced gold prices significantly. Historically, gold is considered a safe-haven asset. Periods of political or economic instability often drive investors toward it. As the latest opinion polls reflect an unpredictable outcome, demand for gold has strengthened. Investors are seeking protection against potential volatility. The unwinding of the "Trump Trade," which has lowered U.S. Treasury bond yields, has further supported gold prices. Lower bond yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold. This makes gold more attractive to investors.

Moreover, the Federal Reserve's expectations of further interest rate cuts add to the upward pressure on gold. Signs of a weakening U.S. labour market have reinforced these expectations, with bets increasing on a more accommodative monetary policy. As interest rates decrease, the U.S. dollar tends to weaken, boosting gold's appeal as an alternative investment. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East add another layer of uncertainty. This is mainly due to Iran's vow to respond to Israel's recent strikes. However, gold prices reached record levels at $2,790 before the US election. These overbought levels have caused prices to turn lower. Since the outcome of the US election is still unknown, gold prices may remain uncertain in the short term. These combined factors will likely keep gold prices uncertain in the short term. Investors continue to hedge against potential risks in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election. However, if the price drops lower, it may present a good investment opportunity. 

Technical outlook

The chart patterns show that prices are trading within a strong uptrend ahead of the election outcome. This uptrend is defined by an ascending channel stretching from the August 2024 lows. The lower trend line of this ascending channel provides strong support for around $2,690. As long as this support holds, the trend remains strongly upward. However, a break below this level could lead to further price drops. The ascending channel has a price target of $2,790, which has been achieved, and the price may now continue to consolidate. The election outcome will further drive market volatility depending on which candidate wins. Each candidate's policies will impact the market in various ways.

gold

Bottom line

In conclusion, the gold market is highly influenced by ongoing political uncertainty. The tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump drives this instability. Global economic and geopolitical factors add to the impact. Demand for gold as a safe-haven asset has increased. Investors are seeking protection from potential volatility. Lower U.S. Treasury bond yields and expected interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve amplify this demand. Weakening U.S. labour market data also contributes to this trend. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, especially Iran's threats to respond to Israel, put upward pressure on gold prices. Technical analysis shows gold is in a strong uptrend with significant support at $2,690. However, the election outcome remains a key driver of future volatility. Gold prices are likely to stay elevated and sensitive to these events.


Unlock exclusive gold and silver trading signals and updates that most investors don’t see. Join our free newsletter now!


Unlock exclusive gold and silver trading signals and updates that most investors don’t see. Join our free newsletter now!

Author

Muhammad Umair, PhD

Muhammad Umair, PhD

Gold Predictors

Muhammad Umair is a financial markets analyst and investor who focuses on the forex and precious metals markets.

More from Muhammad Umair, PhD
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD holds steady above 1.1750 as traders await FOMC Minutes

The EUR/USD pair holds steady near 1.1770 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. Traders continue to price in the prospect of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve in 2026, following the 25-basis-point rate reduction delivered at the December meeting. The release of the Federal Open Market Committee Minutes will be in the spotlight later on Tuesday.

GBP/USD retreats below 1.3500 as trading conditions remain thin

GBP/USD corrects lower after posting strong gains in the previous week and trades below 1.3500 on Monday. With the action in financial markets turning subdued following the Christmas holiday, however, the pair's losses remain limited.

Gold holds above $4,300 after setting yet another record high

Spot Gold traded as high as $4,550 a troy ounce on Monday, fueled by persistent US Dollar weakness and a dismal mood. The XAU/USD pair was hit sharply by profit-taking during US trading hours and retreated towards $4,300, where buyers reappeared.

Ethereum: BitMine continues accumulation, begins staking ETH holdings

Ethereum treasury firm BitMine Immersion continued its ETH buying spree despite the seasonal holiday market slowdown. The company acquired 44,463 ETH last week, pushing its total holdings to 4.11 million ETH or 3.41% of Ethereum's circulating supply, according to a statement on Monday. That figure is over 50% lower than the amount it purchased the previous week.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).