XAU/USD: Near-term action lack direction due to mixed signals

Slobodan Drvenica Windsor Brokers

Spot gold probed again below $1800 support on Wednesday, as rising dollar dents metal’s safe-haven appeal, but growing fears about pandemic resurgence and new lockdowns could hurt global economic recovery, keep the metal afloat.

The price action of past three sessions lack direction, as long tail of Monday’s daily candle (action was contained by 20DMA) and long upper shadow of Thursday’s candle (the action was capped by 200DMA) signal.

Technical studies show MA’s in mixed setup, while bullish momentum is fading but still holding in the positive territory, suggesting that traders are awaiting clearer signal.

Initial support at $1800 is holding for now, with repeated close above here to keep in play hopes for fresh attempts higher.

Conversely, break of $1800 pivot and converged 20/100DMA’s ($1796/94) would weaken near-term structure and signal extension of pullback from $1834 (July 15 recovery high).

Res: 1813; 1824; 1833; 1852

Sup: 1800; 1794; 1789; 1782

Author

Slobodan Drvenica

Windsor Brokers

Industry veteran with over 22 years’ experience, Slobodan Drvenica joined Windsor Brokers in 1995 when he was an active trader for more than 10 years, managing the trading desk and own account departments.

EUR/USD flirts with daily highs, retargets 1.1900

EUR/USD regains upside traction, returning to the 1.1880 zone and refocusing its attention to the key 1.1900 barrier. The pair’s slight gains comes against the backdrop of a humble decline in the US Dollar as investors continue to assess the latest US CPI readings and the potential Fed’s rate path.

GBP/USD remains well bid around 1.3650

GBP/USD maintains its upside momentum in place, hovering around daily highs near 1.3650 and setting aside part of the recent three-day drop. Cable’s improved sentiment comes on the back of the Greenback’s irresolute price action, while recent hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill also collaborate with the uptick.

Gold holds above $5,000 as bears seem hesitant amid Fed rate cut bets

Gold edges lower at the start of a new week, though it defends the $5,000 psychological mark through the Asian session. The underlying bullish sentiment is seen acting as a headwind for the bullion. However, bets for more rate cuts by the Fed, bolstered by Friday's softer US CPI, keep the US Dollar bulls on the defensive and continue to support the non-yielding yellow metal as the focus now shifts to FOMC Minutes on Wednesday.

Week ahead: Data blitz, Fed Minutes and RBNZ decision in the spotlight

The US jobs report for January, which was delayed slightly, didn’t do the dovish Fed bets any favours, as expectations of a soft print did not materialize, confounding the raft of weak job indicators seen in the prior week.

Global inflation watch: Signs of cooling services inflation

Realized inflation landed close to expectations in January, as negative base effects weighed on the annual rates. Remaining sticky inflation is largely explained by services, while tariff-driven goods inflation remains limited even in the US.

Ripple Price Forecast: XRP potential bottom could be in sight

Ripple edges up above the intraday low of $1.35 at the time of writing on Friday amid mixed price actions across the crypto market. The remittance token failed to hold support at $1.40 the previous day, reflecting risk-off sentiment amid a decline in retail and institutional sentiment.