Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD holds below the $2,100 mark, a nine-week high, eyes on Chinese Services PMI data

Gold price holds positive ground near $2,085.55 in Monday’s early Asian session.
The US ISM Manufacturing PMI came in worse than expected, dropping to 47.8 in February from 49.1 in January.
Fed’s Bostic said the central bank would cut rates in the summertime if the economy evolves as he expects.

Lallalit Srijandorn FXStreet

Gold price (XAU/USD) rose to a nine-week high below the $2,100 mark during the early Asian trading hours on Monday. The downbeat US economic data on Friday triggered speculation about the interest rate cuts later this year. Additionally, the lower US Treasury yields added impetus to the rise in investor demand for the yellow metal. At press time, the gold price is trading at $2,085.55, unchanged for the day.

Data released from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on Friday showed that the US Manufacturing PMI dropped to 47.8 in February from 49.1 in the previous reading. The figure registered the 16th consecutive month that it remained below 50, which indicates a contraction in manufacturing.

The Federal Reserve (Fed) held the policy rate steady at the 5.25–5.50% range at its January meeting. Investors anticipated that the Fed to lower the rate by the end of 2024. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said he will monitor the longer-term trends and repeated his view that he sees the US central bank cutting rates in the summertime if the economy evolves as he expects. This, in turn, might improve the appeal of yellow metal and lift the price of gold.

Chinese Manufacturing sent mixed signals last month about the health of the economy. Investors will take more cues from the Chinese Caixin Services PMI for February on Tuesday. Additionally, the development surrounding the stimulus measure from the Chinese authorities could provide some support for the gold price.

Gold traders will keep an eye on the Chinese February Caixin Services PMI and the US ISM Services PMI on Tuesday. The Fed's Chair Jerome Powell testifies on Wednesday might offer some hints about a broad overview of the economy and monetary policy. On Friday, the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) will be in the spotlight.

XAU/USD

Overview
Today last price	2085.72
Today Daily Change	2.15
Today Daily Change %	0.10
Today daily open	2083.57

Trends
Daily SMA20	2026.34
Daily SMA50	2033.89
Daily SMA100	2014.23
Daily SMA200	1968.76

Levels
Previous Daily High	2088.39
Previous Daily Low	2039.12
Previous Weekly High	2088.39
Previous Weekly Low	2024.57
Previous Monthly High	2065.49
Previous Monthly Low	1984.26
Daily Fibonacci 38.2%	2069.57
Daily Fibonacci 61.8%	2057.94
Daily Pivot Point S1	2052.33
Daily Pivot Point S2	2021.09
Daily Pivot Point S3	2003.06
Daily Pivot Point R1	2101.6
Daily Pivot Point R2	2119.63
Daily Pivot Point R3	2150.87

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.

AUD/USD flatlines near 0.6965 as less hawkish RBA counters USD weakness

AUD/USD holds steady above a two-week low, trading near 0.6965 in the Asian session on Wednesday as early midterm election results heighten political uncertainty and weigh heavily on the US Dollar. Moreover, reviving safe-haven demand triggers a fresh leg down in US bond yields, offsetting Fed hike bets and exerting additional pressure on the buck. However, a less hawkish RBA caps the Aussie.

USD/JPY declines below 158.00 as USD weakens on midterm election results

USD/JPY comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, dropping below 158.00 during the Asian session as the US Dollar slumps to a one-month low amid heightened political uncertainty after early US midterm vote counts. Moreover, the prospect of gridlock in Washington drives safe-haven flows, triggering a fresh leg down in US bond yields and further weighing on the buck.

Gold clings to gains near weekly top, comfortably above $4,000 as US elections hit USD

Gold clings to strong intraday gains near the weekly high, trading comfortably above the $4,000 psychological mark during early European session amid a broadly weaker US Dollar. Democrats’ wins in the House and Senate raise the prospect of gridlock in Washington. Moreover, heightened political uncertainty drove investors to safe-haven assets, exerting downward pressure on US bond yields. This is seen weighing on the Greenback and supporting the precious metal.

Bitcoin tests critical support, Ethereum struggles below resistance, XRP extends losses

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) remain under pressure on Wednesday as bearish momentum continues to weigh on prices. BTC approaches key support around $76,466, and a decisive close below could open the door to deeper losses. Meanwhile, ETH struggles below key resistance while XRP faces rejection at the upper trendline of a falling channel pattern, all hinting at deeper losses.

ADP Employment Report expected to show slower job growth in October

The Automatic Data Processing Research Institute is due to release October’s private-sector employment report on Wednesday. The market consensus anticipates a moderate slowdown in job creation, with the ADP Employment Change expected to show 69K new private jobs in October, down from 90K in September.

The 2% inflation target came from a throwaway remark. It now moves trillions

The Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal grew out of an off-the-cuff remark by a New Zealand politician in 1988. Bond investors still price long-term US debt as if 2% holds, so a change in how the Fed measures inflation would move markets.