Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD drifts higher to $2,020 amid Middle East tension

Gold price gains ground near $2,025 amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East.
The US Core PCE gauge registered its lowest level since March 2021, coming in at 2.9% YoY in December vs. 3.2% prior.
The rising tension in the Middle East might boost the price of gold, a traditional safe-haven asset.
Traders will closely monitor the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Wednesday.

Lallalit Srijandorn FXStreet

Gold price snaps the two-week losing streak during the early Asian session on Monday. The escalating tension in the Middle East boosts the safe-haven demand, which lifts the yellow metal. The spotlight this week will be the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Wednesday, which is expected to keep rates at 5.25–5.50%. At press time, the gold price is trading at $2,025, gaining 0.33% on the day.

The Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) came in at 0.2% MoM and 2.6% YoY in December, according to Commerce Department data released Friday. The core PCE figure, excluding energy and food, rose 2.9% annually, a slower pace than the 3.2% rate seen in November. The core PCE gauge registered its lowest level since March 2021.

The markets anticipate the Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep rates steady at 5.25–5.50% at its January meeting on Wednesday. Traders will take more cues from the press conference. If Fed Chairman Jerome Powell signals a possible rate cut in March, this could exert some selling pressure on the Greenback.

Three US troops were killed and dozens injured after an unmanned aerial drone attack on US forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, US officials said on Sunday. The rising tension in the Middle East might boost a safe-haven asset like gold.

Looking ahead, the FOMC meeting on Wednesday will be the highlight of this week ahead of the Bank of England (BoE) interest rate decision on Thursday. These events could give a clear direction to the gold price.

XAU/USD

Overview
Today last price	2023.6
Today Daily Change	4.97
Today Daily Change %	0.25
Today daily open	2018.63

Trends
Daily SMA20	2032.16
Daily SMA50	2029.59
Daily SMA100	1978.49
Daily SMA200	1964.57

Levels
Previous Daily High	2027.03
Previous Daily Low	2015.97
Previous Weekly High	2037.95
Previous Weekly Low	2009.65
Previous Monthly High	2144.48
Previous Monthly Low	1973.13
Daily Fibonacci 38.2%	2020.19
Daily Fibonacci 61.8%	2022.81
Daily Pivot Point S1	2014.06
Daily Pivot Point S2	2009.48
Daily Pivot Point S3	2003
Daily Pivot Point R1	2025.12
Daily Pivot Point R2	2031.6
Daily Pivot Point R3	2036.18

Author

Lallalit Srijandorn

FXStreet

Lallalit Srijandorn is a Parisian at heart. She has lived in France since 2019 and now becomes a digital entrepreneur based in Paris and Bangkok.

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