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Gold (XAU) Price Forecast: Can Bulls Push Past $2,955 or Is a Correction Looming?

By:
James Hyerczyk
Published: Feb 21, 2025, 12:17 GMT+00:00

Key Points:

  • Technical indicators show an overbought gold market; breaking $2,864.33 support could trigger a bearish shift in momentum.
  • Gold dips from record $2,954.96, still on track for its 8th weekly gain—tariff uncertainty and Fed policies weigh on sentiment.
  • Trump's new tariffs on lumber, cars, and tech add inflation risks, potentially forcing the Fed to maintain higher interest rates.
  • Weak physical gold demand in China and India suggests the rally is driven by investment, not traditional consumption.
Gold Price Forecast
In this article:

Gold Edges Lower, Eighth Weekly Gain Still Intact

Daily Gold (XAU/USD)

Gold prices slipped on Friday, retreating from Thursday’s all-time high of $2,954.96. Despite the pullback, the yellow metal remains on track for its eighth consecutive weekly gain, up around 1.5% this week. However, recent price action over the last three days reflects uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff strategies and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate plans. The metal’s recent consolidation suggests a potential vulnerability to a near-term correction, even as the broader bullish trend remains intact.

At 12:09 GMT, XAU/USD is trading $2929.79, down $9.60 or -0.33%.

Technical Signals Highlight Overbought Conditions

The gold market is showing signs of being “hot,” with prices significantly above the 50-day moving average at $2,743.95. This technical setup often indicates an overbought market, heightening the risk of a pullback. Key support sits at $2,864.33—a break below this level could shift short-term momentum to the downside. Conversely, a move back through the $2,954.96 high would reinforce the ongoing uptrend.

Tariff Uncertainty Boosts Safe-Haven Demand

Trump’s newly proposed tariffs—including duties on lumber and forest products, alongside previous tariffs on imported cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals—have kept market sentiment cautious. These measures add to the existing 10% tariff on Chinese imports and 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. The threat of increased inflation from these policies could force the Federal Reserve to maintain higher interest rates, potentially curbing gold’s appeal as a non-yielding asset.

Physical Demand Weak in China and India

Despite gold’s strong performance, physical demand in key markets such as China and India remains weak due to the elevated price levels. The high costs have sidelined traditional buyers, suggesting the current rally is predominantly driven by investment and hedging demand rather than physical consumption.

Treasury Yields and Dollar Movement Add to Market Caution

Daily US Government Bonds 10-Year Yield

U.S. Treasury yields edged lower as investors weighed the impact of Trump’s tariffs and awaited economic data, including existing home sales and the S&P Global PMI. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar struggled near its 2025 lows, with traders wary of Trump’s tariff rhetoric and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate stance. The yen saw volatility, briefly breaking past the 150-per-dollar mark, before being reined in by the Bank of Japan’s bond-buying measures.

Market Forecast: Caution Warranted for Bullish Traders

While the broader trend for gold remains bullish, the market’s current consolidation and overbought signals warrant caution. A sustained break above $2,954.96 could reignite buying momentum, but failure to hold the $2,864.33 support may lead to a sharper correction. Traders should monitor U.S. economic data and Federal Reserve commentary closely, as these factors could heavily influence gold’s next move.

More Information in our Economic Calendar.

About the Author

James Hyerczyk is a U.S. based seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement. He is the author of two books on technical analysis and has a background in both futures and stock markets.

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