Crude oil futures surged on Monday due to disruptions in Russian refining capacity caused by Ukrainian drone strikes and Moscow's decision to cut output to comply with OPEC+ targets. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contract for May settled at $81.95 a barrel, up $1.32, while the Brent contract for May settled at $86.57 a barrel, also up $1.32. Russia instructed...
Gold jumped after Fed. What's next?
2021-03-18 • Updated
What happened?
Gold prices rose to an over two-week high on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve’s decision. The Fed pledged to keep near-zero rates at least through 2023. Besides, the bank left asset purchases unchanged at $120 billion a month. The decision was made despite inflation worries in financial markets. The Fed raised forecasts for economic growth and the labor market: GDP from 4.2% to 6.5% and unemployment to 4.5% this year.
Why?
Gold has been falling recently because of the rising US Treasury yields. When yields increase, investors tend to favor the USD with higher returns than the non-yielding gold. After the Fed’s meeting, 10-year yields moved higher but were well below intraday highs. It’s known that the higher the inflation, the higher the yields will rise. When the Fed said the inflation rise is temporary, gold bulls priced in. Another explanation is that the Fed’s message triggered the risk-on response, which pressed down the USD. And as we all know, the weakened USD drives gold up.
What’s next?
According to HDFC Securities, gold will move sideways between support $1730 and resistance at $1760. Reuters said that "if the dollar continues its weakening track and yields continue to be calmed by Fed language, then this can set gold up for a test of $1800".
Technical analysis
Long term
The long-term trend is bearish: XAU/USD has been trading in a descending channel since mid-summer of the last year. However, gold has been rising for the last two weeks. If it manages to break above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level of $1770, the doors will be open to the 38.2% Fibo level of $1830. On the flip side, the move below the March low of $1700 will drive it to $1675.
Short term
If we look at the 4-hour chart, we’ll notice the price is moving in ascending channel. Thus, it shouldn’t go lower the intersection of the 50-period moving average and the lower trend line of $1722. Thus, we might expect the pullback up soon. Resistance levels are 1755 and 1770.
Similar
Bearish scenario: Sales below 80.00 with TP1: 79.60... Anticipated bullish scenario: Intraday purchases above 80.70 with TP: 81.50...
Bearish Scenario: Sales below 78.99 with TP1: 77.93, TP2: 77.45, and upon its breakout TP3: 76.56 and TP4: 75.70 Bullish Scenario: Purchases above 78.00 (wait for a pullback to this area) with TP1: 1679.00 (uncovered POC*), TP2: 79.33, and TP3: 79.66 intraday
Latest news
Jerome H. Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, stated that the central bank can afford to be patient in deciding when to cut interest rates, citing easing inflation and stable economic growth. Powell emphasized the Fed's independence from political influences, particularly relevant as the election season nears. The Fed had raised interest rates to 5.3 ...
Hello again my friends, it’s time for another episode of “What to Trade,” this time, for the month of April. As usual, I present to you some of my most anticipated trade ideas for the month of April, according to my technical analysis style. I therefore encourage you to do your due diligence, as always, and manage your risks appropriately.
Bearish scenario: Sell below 1.0820 / 1.0841... Bullish scenario: Buy above 1.0827...