Gold Outlook: Recent Trends and Future Predictions

Three days ago, we witnessed gold hitting all-time highs. This development was anticipated due to several key economic indicators. Firstly, we observed inflation starting to ease, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing a slight decrease after a period of three months where core inflation had either eased or shown signs of increasing. The latest CPI data indicating easing inflation was a positive sign for the Federal Reserve. Additionally, the Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) figures came in lower than expected, which further supported the case for gold as a buying opportunity, leading to its ascent to record highs.

The combination of these economic factors created a favorable environment for gold to reach new heights. As expected, we saw increased buy orders and overall bullish sentiment in the market, driving gold to its all-time high. Subsequently, it is normal to observe profit-taking behavior among traders, which is a typical market reaction following significant price surges.

However, yesterday, contrary to the expected profit-taking behavior, gold suddenly spiked down by about 200 pips after three days of ranging post all-time high. This decline was unexpected as there were no major news events to trigger such a move. Even the existing home sales data, which was weak, indicating economic pressure, suggested a potential rate cut by the Fed, yet gold plummeted sharply.

This 200-pip drop occurred hours before the release of the FOMC minutes, which later included some hawkish remarks. Several Fed members expressed concerns that the current monetary policy might not be restrictive enough. Despite these remarks being consistent with previous statements made over the past weeks, the market reacted sharply, driving gold down by around 700-800 pips.

This prolonged decline seems unusual, as I did not observe any significant sell orders filled at the 2420 price level. The continued downward pressure on gold suggests that there might be underlying factors at play, which are not immediately apparent from the available data and public statements.

Currently, gold is trading sharply lower. On May fifteenth, we had the CPI data release, and on May fourteenth, the day before the CPI data, the last major buy orders were filled around the 2340-2345 price range. Now, with prices back around this level, it indicates that a significant portion of these buy orders has been closed, leading to the recent price decline.

Given this context, I still maintain a bullish outlook for gold. The absence of any substantial reason for the current downtrend suggests it might be largely driven by profit-taking. Therefore, I am looking to buy around the 2340-2345 price range, provided we see a stable range of at least six hours or up to one day in this area. Alternatively, I am also considering the 2320 price level for potential buy positions, depending on market movements.

Upcoming economic data, including PMI and jobless claims, will be crucial. Weak reports in these areas could prompt the Federal Reserve to consider rate cuts, further supporting a bullish outlook for gold. Until then, observing a range around the 2340-2345 or 2320 levels will be key for confirming buying opportunities.
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