Gold tumbles in biggest daily drop in 4 years as stunning rally comes to a halt

Core Viewpoint - Gold futures experienced a significant decline of up to 5%, marking the largest one-day drop since August 2020, as the market correction followed a substantial rally earlier in the year [1][4]. Price Movements - Gold futures fell to approximately $4,141 per troy ounce from an intraday record exceeding $4,380, while silver futures dropped as much as 7%, the largest decline since 2021 [1]. - The first major support level for gold is around $4,000, with potential buying interest expected around $4,200 [3]. Market Analysis - Analysts suggest that the recent drop may be a necessary correction after a 28% increase in gold prices since mid-August, driven by central bank purchases and inflows into gold-backed ETFs [4][6]. - The market remains bullish on gold, with Bank of America forecasting a peak of $6,000 per ounce by mid-2026, while Goldman Sachs has raised its price target for gold to $4,900 by the end of next year [7][8]. Investor Sentiment - Investors have shown resilience, buying the dip when gold briefly fell more than 1.5%, indicating ongoing confidence in the metal as a hedge against economic uncertainties [3][4]. - Geopolitical concerns, elevated inflation, and low real interest rates are contributing factors that continue to support bullish sentiment for gold [4][5].