Gold (XAU) prices are gaining momentum, advancing above $2,750. This price rally is driven by increased buying interest as geopolitical uncertainty intensifies following President Trump’s inauguration. President Trump has expanded his trade rhetoric to include Mexico, Canada, and China, heightening fears of a prolonged trade war. These developments are propelling gold toward record levels, with bullish price action suggesting the initiation of a new surge in the gold market.
The strong US Dollar Index limited the gold rally in December 2024 and January 2025. However, recent developments following President Trump’s announcement have triggered a correction in the US dollar, boosting the gold rally. Gold’s secular uptrend remains intact and is poised to gain further strength amid ongoing economic and monetary uncertainties. Moreover, the geopolitical tensions following Trump’s warning to Russia about potential sanctions continue to bolster gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset. Additionally, upcoming unemployment claims data and Flash PMI figures could influence market sentiment and determine gold’s near-term direction.
Liquidity in the financial market is increasing, as indicated by the Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index, which has dropped to -0.627. This is the lowest level since 2021, signaling highly stimulative conditions, as shown in the chart below. Additionally, Bitcoin (BTC) has surged above $100K and remains strong, further confirming the rise in financial liquidity.
Moreover, commercial bank reserves at the Federal Reserve have been increasing, further supporting the narrative of growing liquidity in the financial system. This reserve rise indicates that banks have more capacity to support lending and investment, contributing to overall market stability.
However, the Federal Reserve has simultaneously been reducing its overnight reverse repurchase agreements in the financial markets. This strategy balances liquidity conditions while continuing its quantitative tightening (QT) efforts.
By reducing assets, such as Treasury and MBS securities, and overnight reverse repo at a similar rate, the Fed has managed to minimize the impact of QT on financial markets. This dual adjustment helps offset the potential liquidity drain that could arise from QT alone, maintaining stability in stocks, bonds, and other markets. The balanced approach ensures that the Fed’s balance sheet contraction does not significantly disrupt financial markets.
However, this approach has limitations. If the Fed continues to reduce its securities holdings without a corresponding decline in overnight reverse repo liabilities, liquidity could start to contract. This scenario could create downward pressure on financial markets, increasing volatility. This delicate balance underscores the Fed’s challenges in managing liquidity while pursuing its monetary tightening objectives.
These liquidity conditions create market uncertainties, which positively impact the gold market. Gold prices have broken above $2,725, initiating the next surge toward the $2,790 region. A decisive break above $2,790 could pave the way for a primary target of $3,000, with the potential for a long-term rally toward $3,200.
The weekly gold chart shows a bullish structure. The price has exceeded the significant resistance level of $2,075, which has been a key pivot point for years. Following the breakout, gold entered a consolidation phase before initiating another surge. Currently, the price is trading near $2,753, with buyers targeting the psychological level of $3,000. The consistent pattern of breakouts followed by consolidations suggests strong buying momentum and a sustained uptrend.
The above chart shows a sequence of bullish patterns within a bullish trend. The consolidation zones are areas where the price stabilized before accelerating further upward momentum. The recent consolidation between $2790 and $2560 will likely trigger a move to $3,000.
The daily chart of gold shows a steady bullish trend within a well-defined ascending channel. The price continues to form a bullish structure, respecting the channel’s boundaries. Currently, gold is trading at $2,753 and is on track to test the key psychological level of $3,000. This level coincides with the channel’s upper boundary, signaling strong resistance. The chart also highlights a recent consolidation phase followed by a breakout. This consolidation phase indicates renewed buying momentum and strengthens the bullish outlook.
The ascending channel reflects strong upward momentum, supported by a solid technical structure. The price is breaching the channel’s midline, likely triggering a significant move to the upside. The RSI is currently around 66, which indicates further upside. Moreover, the 50- and 200-day SMAs show a strong bullish trend.
The 4-hour chart for gold illustrates a strong bullish breakout from a symmetrical triangle pattern, pushing the price to $2,720. Furthermore, the breakout above $2,720 confirms bullish momentum and suggests the price will likely move toward the $2,790 resistance level. The symmetrical triangle represents a consolidation phase, which resolved to the upside, signaling strong buyer interest. The double-bottom formation near $2,635 also acted as a key reversal signal, laying the foundation for the current rally.
The price trades above key support levels, with $2,720 as a strong support zone following the breakout. If the price breaks above $2,790, it could pave the way for further gains, potentially targeting $2,850 or higher. However, any pullback will likely find support around the $2,720 – $2,700 range, preserving the broader upward momentum.
Muhammad Umair, PhD is a financial markets analyst, founder and president of the website Gold Predictors, and investor who focuses on the forex and precious metals markets. He employs his technical background to challenge the prevalent assumptions and profit from misconceptions.