Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD edges higher above $2,600 amid light trading
- Gold price gains traction to near $2,625 in Monday’s early Asian session.
- Trump's administration could boost Gold price amid uncertainty.
- The hawkish stance of the US Fed might cap the upside for the precious metal.
Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts some buyers to around $2,625 during the early Asian session on Monday. Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade policies could trigger trade conflicts, supporting the yellow metal. However, the outlook for fewer Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts in 2025 might cap the upside for Gold price. Trading volume is lighter than usual ahead of the New Year holiday.
Donald Trump's potential return to the White House might intensify global trade tensions, fueling geopolitical crises and likely lifting the Gold price. “Trade tensions, potential conflicts, and unpredictable policies under his leadership might drive investors toward gold as a safe-haven asset,” said the managing director of RiddiSiddhi Bullions Limited.
Additionally, the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war could boost the Gold price, a traditional safe-haven asset. On Sunday, Israeli forces carried out attacks on two hospitals in northern Gaza, including a strike on the upper floor of al-Wafaa Hospital in Gaza City, which killed at least seven people and critically wounded others.
On the other hand, the rising expectations for fewer Fed rate cuts could underpin the Greenback and exert some selling pressure on the USD-denominated commodity price. A strengthening USD generally weighs on bullion, reducing its appeal to investors seeking non-yielding assets.
Gold FAQs
Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
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.
