Headline: Gold Retreats as Rate-Cut Bets Cool; Focus Shifts to U.S. Data and Fed Signals
Gold prices surrendered most of last week’s gains after a brief short squeeze faded, with market-implied odds of a December rate cut easing to around 40%. Traders are refocusing on incoming U.S. economic data and Federal Reserve communications, which could reset expectations for interest rates and real yields—key drivers of the gold market.
Fundamentally, the setup remains two-sided in the near term. Strong U.S. releases—especially labor market prints—would likely keep the “higher-for-longer” narrative intact, weighing on bullion and the XAU/USD pair. Softer data would have the opposite effect, supporting gold via lower Treasury yields and a weaker dollar. In the bigger picture, the longer-term bias still leans constructive as real yields are expected to trend lower under a more dovish Fed reaction function, though any hawkish repricing in rate expectations may cap rallies in the short run.
Technically, gold failed to hold a breakout above the 4,155 resistance zone on the daily chart, erasing much of its weekly advance. Dip buyers are likely to favor the rising major trendline for a better risk-to-reward entry with a view toward new all-time highs. A daily close below that trendline would undermine the bullish structure and could open a move toward the 3,312 region. On intraday timeframes, the 4-hour chart highlights firm support around 4,020; bulls may defend this area with defined risk, while bears will look for a breakdown to extend momentum into the trendline. On the 1-hour chart, a minor descending trendline continues to shape bearish momentum, with sellers expected to fade rallies toward 4,155 unless a clean breakout flips the bias back to the upside.
Upcoming catalysts include U.S. ADP employment, FOMC meeting minutes, nonfarm payrolls, weekly jobless claims, and flash PMIs. Markets will watch labor-market strength and growth signals closely for clues on the policy path and the trajectory of real yields.
Key Points: – Gold unwound most of its weekly rally as a short squeeze faded. – Market-implied odds of a December Fed rate cut slipped to near 40%. – Strong U.S. data may pressure XAU/USD via higher yields; weak prints would support bullion. – Daily chart: rejection near 4,155; key rising trendline in focus; below it risks a move toward 3,312. – 4-hour support sits around 4,020; 1-hour shows a descending trendline capping bounces. – Key U.S. catalysts ahead: ADP, FOMC minutes, NFP, jobless claims, and flash PMIs.
