Gold pulls back after US Retail Sales beats expectations


  • Gold corrects back after the release of stronger-than-expected US Retail Sales data for June.
  • The precious metal had been rallying after the Chairman of the Fed Jerome Powell said good progress was being made on inflation. 
  • His statements suggested a good chance the Fed will cut interest rates in the near future. 
  • Market-based probabilities are now showing a 100% chance of the Fed cutting interest rates at the September meeting. 

Gold (XAU/USD) corrects some of its early gains on Tuesday, trading in the $2,440s after the release of US Retail Sales data showed the US consumer continuing to spend liberally despite the high cost of borrowing. The data indicates the US economy remains resilient and inflation is likely to stay relatively elevated despite having fallen in recent months. This could moderate the extent to which the Federal Reserve (Fed) cuts interest rates in the future, with consequences for Gold. 

Gold had been rising prior to the release, inching up toward the $2,451 all-time high, supported by heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates at its meeting in September as inflation in the US shows signs of cooling.  

Gold pulls back after US Retail Sales data boosts the USD

Gold is pulling back following the release of US Retail Sales data for June. 

US Retail Sales rose by 0.0% in June, as expected and below May’s upwardly revised 0.3%,  according to data from the US Census Bureau on Tuesday. 

The Retail Sales ex Autos rose 0.4% in June when a 0.1% increase had been estimated from a revised-up 0.1% previously.  

The Retail Sales Control Group showed an increase of 0.9% from 0.4% in May. The Control Group is adjusted for seasonal variations and trading day differences and is seen as a more accurate measure of sales. 

Gold rises after Fed Chairman Powell indicates cuts are on their way

Gold rose ealier on Tuesday after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell commented in a speech on Monday on how inflation was showing promising signs of progress toward the central bank’s target and hinted that cuts to interest rates were on their way. His comments led to a dramatic recalibration of market-based expectations for the trajectory of the Fed Funds rate, the Fed’s key monetary policy rate. 

The CME FedWatch tool, which uses the price of 30-day Fed Funds futures to calculate probabilities of future rate changes, is now pricing in a 100% chance of at least a 0.25% cut in the Fed Funds rate to an upper band of 5.25% when the Fed meets in September. Prior to the Chairman’s comments, the probabilities had been hovering just above the 60% mark. 

The change in outlook comes after US inflation data in the form of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) undershot expectations in June – falling to 3.0%. Before that,both headline and core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) inflation data – the Fed’s preferred gauge – fell to 2.6% in May, also undershooting expectations. 

Technical Analysis: Gold continues rising within a range

Gold is rising within a range, and it is approaching its May 20 all-time high. 

The precious metal is probably in a sideways consolidation – a pause within a broader uptrend. 

XAU/USD Daily Chart

On a short-term basis, Gold could now be in a sideways trend as it extends a leg higher within the range that has unfolded since April. The sideways trend has a floor at roughly $2,280 and a ceiling at $2,451. 

Since breaking above the June 7 peak of $2,388, the precious metal has received bullish confirmation, unlocking the next upside target at the $2,451 all-time high. 

In the long term, Gold remains in an uptrend, suggesting odds favor an eventual breakout to the upside of the range. 

A decisive break above the $2,451 high – which is also the range ceiling – would unlock a target at $2,555, calculated by extrapolating the 0.618 Fibonacci ratio of the height of the range higher.

Economic Indicator

Retail Sales ex Autos (MoM)

The Retail Sales ex Autos data, released by the US Census Bureau on a monthly basis, measures the value in total receipts of retail and food stores in the United States excluding the key sector of motor vehicles and parts. A stratified random sampling method is used to select approximately 4,800 retail and food services firms whose sales are then weighted and benchmarked to represent the complete universe of over three million retail and food services firms across the country. The data is adjusted for seasonal variations as well as holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes. Retail sales data is widely followed as an indicator of consumer spending, which is a major driver of the US economy. Generally, a high reading is seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish.

Read more.

Last release: Tue Jul 16, 2024 12:30

Frequency: Monthly

Actual: 0.4%

Consensus: 0.1%

Previous: -0.1%

Source: US Census Bureau

 

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

XM
Account
7.2
Tools
9.2
Service
9.4
Trading
9.0
Trust
7.0
Experience
8.4
Read review
Moneta Markets
Account
7.4
Tools
6.6
Service
8.0
Trading
6.6
Trust
5.2
Experience
9.2
Read review
Trading Pro
Account
7.2
Tools
5.2
Service
6.6
Trading
8.0
Trust
5.0
Experience
7.0
Read review
Pepperstone
Account
8.2
Tools
8.2
Service
7.4
Trading
9.0
Trust
8.8
Experience
9.0
Read review
XM
Read review
Moneta Markets
Read review
Trading Pro
Read review
Pepperstone
Read review
Trading Pro
Read review
Pepperstone
Read review
XM
Read review
Moneta Markets
Read review
Trading Pro
Account
7.2
Tools
5.2
Service
6.6
Trading
8.0
Trust
5.0
Experience
7.0
Read review
Pepperstone
Account
8.2
Tools
8.2
Service
7.4
Trading
9.0
Trust
8.8
Experience
9.0
Read review
XM
Account
7.2
Tools
9.2
Service
9.4
Trading
9.0
Trust
7.0
Experience
8.4
Read review
Moneta Markets
Account
7.4
Tools
6.6
Service
8.0
Trading
6.6
Trust
5.2
Experience
9.2
Read review

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD climbs above 0.6200 amid broad USD weakness and trade jitters

AUD/USD climbs above 0.6200 amid broad USD weakness and trade jitters

The Australian Dollar extended its advance on Thursday, climbing toward the 0.6240 zone. The pair built on recent strength as the US Dollar Index slid further toward multi-month lows near the 101 area. This move came after markets digested the White House’s confirmation of a steep 145% tariff on Chinese goods, combined with a cautious Federal Reserve tone.

AUD/USD News
EUR/USD surges higher as tariff walk-back eases tensions further

EUR/USD surges higher as tariff walk-back eases tensions further

EUR/USD roared into its highest bids in nearly two years on Thursday, breaching and closing above the 1.1200 handle for the first time in 21 months. Market tensions continue to ease following the Trump administration’s last-minute pivot away from its own tariffs, sparking a softening in US Dollar flows.

EUR/USD News
Gold rises to record high near $3,200 on US-China tariff war

Gold rises to record high near $3,200 on US-China tariff war

Gold price surges to near an all-time high around $3,190 during the early Asian session on Friday. The weakening of the US Dollar and escalating trade war between the United States and China provide some support to the precious metal.

Gold News
Bitcoin miners scurry to import mining equipment following Trump's China tariffs

Bitcoin miners scurry to import mining equipment following Trump's China tariffs

Bitcoin miners are reportedly scrambling to import mining equipment into the United States following rising tariff tensions in the US-China trade war, according to a Blockspace report on Wednesday.

Read more
Trump’s tariff pause sparks rally – What comes next?

Trump’s tariff pause sparks rally – What comes next?

Markets staged a dramatic reversal Wednesday, led by a 12% surge in the Nasdaq and strong gains across major indices, following President Trump’s unexpected decision to pause tariff escalation for non-retaliating trade partners. 

Read more
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.

Read More

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures

Best Brokers of 2025