Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD Drops 4% From $5,450 Peak as $5,160 Becomes the Market’s New Test

Gold (XAU/USD) has run into its first real obstacle after a strong start this month. After climbing over 25% and reaching several record...

Quick overview

  • Gold (XAU/USD) has experienced a significant pullback after reaching record highs, currently trading around $5,160.
  • The recent drop is attributed to profit-taking and a stronger US dollar following a government funding deal, easing short-term risks.
  • Despite the decline, geopolitical uncertainties continue to support gold prices, preventing larger sell-offs.
  • Technical analysis indicates that gold is testing key Fibonacci levels, with a bullish trend remaining intact as long as prices stay above $5,000.

Gold (XAU/USD) has run into its first real obstacle after a strong start this month. After climbing over 25% and reaching several record highs above $5,400, prices have pulled back sharply and are now around $5,160, with an intraday low near $5,112.

This move seems more like a normal reset than panic. A big bearish daily candle erased gains from several previous sessions, which is a common sign of profit-taking after a steep rally.

Many investors saw the deal in Washington to prevent a US government shutdown as removing a short-term risk. This boosted the dollar and led traders to take profits.

Dollar Strength Pressures Gold, But Limits Remain

The US dollar got stronger after lawmakers agreed to fund the government through the end of the year, which eased shutdown worries and put short-term pressure on gold. However, the dollar’s gains are limited by ongoing uncertainty about future US monetary leadership and interest-rate policy.

Right now, markets are watching a few key events:

These events will influence rate expectations and help decide if the dollar stays strong or loses ground soon.

XAU/USD

Geopolitical Risks Keep a Floor Under Prices

Even with the recent drop, gold still gets support from global uncertainty. Ongoing trade tensions, tariff threats, and unresolved geopolitical conflicts are still on investors’ minds.

Continued military deployments and unresolved diplomatic standoffs keep demand for safe-haven assets like gold steady, stopping bigger sell-offs.

This situation helps explain why selling has slowed as prices fall. Long-term buyers seem more patient, waiting for better technical levels instead of chasing the rally.

Gold (XAU/USD) Technical Outlook: Fibonacci Levels in Focus

Looking at the charts, gold is now testing a key area. The price has dropped below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $5,288 and is now near the 38.2% level around $5,095, which often acts as a support zone in strong trends.

GOLD Price Chart - Source: Tradingview
GOLD Price Chart – Source: Tradingview

Key technical signals:

  • RSI cooled from above 75 to ~69, easing overbought conditions
  • Price remains above the 50% retracement at $4,940
  • The rising trendline from December lows is still intact

If gold stays above the $5,000 to $4,940 area, the overall bullish trend is still in place.

Trade idea: Look for long positions near $5,000, aiming for $5,350, and set a stop below $4,780.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

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