Gold's uphill battle as Fed holds rates

Gold prices edged lower as the US Federal Reserve (Fed) delivered a hawkish hold. The Fed removed inflation language, an indication of a pivot towards maintaining rates unchanged. The XAU/USD trades volatile within the $2,750 - $2,740 range as Fed Chair Jerome Powell crossed the wires.

Powell’s first question was about having been contacted by US President Donald Trump. He answered he had not spoken with Trump and firmly stated that he wouldn’t comment on Trump’s policies or politics.

In addition, Powell said that monetary policy is “less restrictive than it had been,” adding that the Fed is not in a rush to adjust rates. He added that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is in wait-and-see mode, eyeing fiscal and trade policies implemented by the new US administration.

Powell clarified the Fed doesn’t have a pre-set course on setting interest rates, and when asked about the March meeting, he said they’re not in a rush.

Given the backdrop, XAU/USD seesawed, yet it remains near $2,750 modestly lower. After the Fed’s decision, traders are eyeing the release of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures, jobs data, and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index.

Daily digest market movers: Gold price losses ground after Powell’s press conference

• Earlier, the Federal Reserve unanimously decided to hold rates unchanged at the 4.25% - 4.50% range and dropped inflation language, which traders perceived as indicating that the Fed would keep rates higher for longer.
• The statement added that the economy is expanding solidly, the unemployment rate has stabilized, and labor market conditions remain solid. Additionally, it added that it remained focused on both sides of the dual mandate.
• The Fed's decision was unanimous.
• The US 10-year Treasury yield rises one basis point up to 4.549% and caps Gold’s advance.
• The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the buck’s value against a basket of six currencies, climbs 0.12%, up at 108.04, a headwind for Bullion.
• Given the backdrop, Gold prices extended their losses, yet they were quite moderate as traders await Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.
• The CME FedWatch Tool shows that investors expect 50 basis points of easing through 2025, with the first-rate cut seen in June.

XAU/USD technical outlook: Gold’s uptrend intact, as XAU/SD hovers near $2,750

Gold price uptrend remains intact even though the yellow metal dips slightly following the Fed’s decision. XAU/USD hit a daily low of $2,744, trimming some of its earlier losses, and it seems poised to form a ‘bullish harami’ candle pattern, which suggests that higher prices are expected.

In that outcome, XAU/USD next resistance would be the January 24 high at $2,785. A breach of the latter will expose the record high at $2,790, followed by $2,800.

Conversely, if Gold extends its losses and drops below $2,750, the next support would be the $2,730, the January 27 swing low. A breach of the latter will expose $2,700.