Gold Price Holds Modest Gains as Traders Await US PCE Inflation Data

Gold (XAU/USD) maintains its positive momentum, extending gains for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. After rebounding from a one-week low near $2,600, the precious metal climbed to a two-day high around $2,645 during the early European session. Persistent geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war, and tariff plans announced by US President-elect Donald Trump are driving demand for safe-haven assets like gold.

A subdued US Dollar (USD) has also supported gold prices. However, the yellow metal’s upside remains capped by a risk-on sentiment, expectations of slower Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, and steady US Treasury yields. Traders are now focused on key US economic data, including Q3 GDP and the Core PCE Price Index, for further direction.

Key Factors Supporting Gold Prices

Geopolitical Tensions:
- Ukraine reported its largest Russian drone attack on Tuesday, while Russia recently deployed hypersonic missiles.
- Reports suggest Russia is using North Korean troops, and Ukraine is retaliating with Western-supplied missiles, heightening the risk of escalation.
Trade Concerns:
- President-elect Trump’s commitment to tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China has fueled safe-haven demand for gold.
Middle East Developments:
- A ceasefire deal between Lebanon and Israel announced by US President Joe Biden has eased tensions in the region, limiting additional haven flows.
Economic Data:
- US consumer confidence rose to a four-month high in November, while the Federal Reserve remains cautious about further rate cuts. The CME Group’s FedWatch Tool suggests a 63% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the December meeting.

Technical Outlook

From a technical perspective, gold’s recovery from the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level supports a bullish bias. However, oscillators on the daily chart indicate that gains may face resistance near the 100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart, currently around $2,645.

Upside Targets:

A break above $2,645 could push prices towards $2,665 and further to $2,677-$2,678. A move beyond $2,678 would set the stage for a retest of the $2,700 psychological level.

Downside Risks:

Immediate support is seen near $2,624-$2,622, followed by the $2,600 mark. A decisive break below $2,600 could expose the 100-day SMA near $2,569-$2,568, with further losses potentially extending to the monthly low of $2,537-$2,536.

Gold traders remain cautious as the market awaits the US inflation data, which could provide a clearer outlook on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy trajectory.