Gold Weekly Forecast: Correction deepens on hawkish Fed tone, US-China trade truce

Core Viewpoint - Gold (XAU/USD) is experiencing bearish pressure, reaching its lowest level since early October, influenced by cautious remarks from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell regarding policy easing and a de-escalation in the US-China trade conflict [1][2][4]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Gold started the week with a significant loss of over 3% on Monday due to optimism surrounding a potential US-China trade truce, which diminished its appeal as a safe haven asset [2]. - Following a high-level meeting, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that China is prepared to make a trade deal to avoid new tariffs, contributing to the bearish sentiment in gold [3]. - As President Trump signed trade agreements with multiple nations during his Asia tour, gold prices fell below $3,900, marking a continued decline [4]. Group 2: Federal Reserve Influence - The Federal Reserve cut the policy rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75%-4% during the October meeting, as expected, and announced the conclusion of the balance sheet drawdown on December 1 [5]. - Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that another rate cut in December is not guaranteed, emphasizing the need to manage persistent inflation risks, which led to an increase in the 10-year US Treasury bond yield above 4% and strengthened the US Dollar, further pressuring gold prices [6]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Gold saw a rebound on Thursday due to a negative shift in risk sentiment, recovering above $4,000 before entering a consolidation phase on Friday [7]. - Investors are awaiting upcoming US macroeconomic data releases that could provide insights into labor market conditions and the overall economic situation, especially given the impact of the ongoing government shutdown [8].