In recent developments within the global economy, the Gold Price (XAU/USD) seems to be veering towards a fourth successive weekly decrease despite maintaining a firm footing around R35,547.00. Such an enduring trend appears to mirror an air of caution permeating the market, driven by an anticipated release of crucial US employment and inflation figures. This guarded anticipation in the lead-up to this high-impact US data release could be connected to the current period of standstill or consolidation seen in XAU/USD’s recent performance.
Adding to the complexity of gold price dynamics are updates from China, where the tone of financial concerns appears to be gradually easing. However, it’s essential to balance this optimism with the possible negative impacts of monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve, and worries surrounding capital outflows from China to neighbouring nations. These fears have been fuelled primarily by fresh anxieties regarding the state of China’s housing market.
Moreover, apprehensions regarding a slowdown in economic growth in China โ one of the world’s most significant consumers of gold โ also cast a shadow over the XAU/USD’s performance. Notwithstanding these factors, the potential for a shift in Federal Reserve policy and a robust demand for physical gold from Asia are factors that have encouraged the World Gold Council (WGC) to maintain an upbeat outlook for the XAU/USD.
South Africa, as one of the leading gold-producing nations, has a keen interest in these developments. Fluctuations in the global gold price can significantly affect the South African mining industry, employment, and the broader economy. As such, South African stakeholders are looking forward to the release of Friday’s US employment data for June and the mid-June inflation figures, as these will play a critical role in shaping gold’s price trajectory.
Examining Key Levels in Gold Prices
Through our Technical Confluence Indicator, we’ve observed that gold prices are trending upwards within a narrow R748.40 trading range, straddling between R36,113.30 and R35,410.90, as markets eagerly await the forthcoming US employment and inflation data release.
Of immediate interest, the convergence of the previous monthly and weekly lows draws attention to the R35,405.92 as a key short-term support level for XAU/USD traders to keep an eye on in the event of a further decrease.
Conversely, resistance appears at the R36,113.30 level, where the Fibonacci 38.2% on one-month intersects with the previous daily high. Additional key levels to monitor are the lower Bollinger Band on the four-hour (4H) chart and Fibonacci 38.2% on one week and 23.6% on one-day, which together form R35,677.88 as immediate support.
Should this support level be breached, the Fibonacci 23.6% on one-week, previous daily low, and the lower band of the Bollinger on the one-hour chart could spur gold sellers towards the psychological R35,547.00 level before steering the bears to the R35,410.90 key support.
For those banking on an upswing in gold prices, the previous weekly high and upper band of the Bollinger on the 4H, approximately at R36,167.85, would need to be surpassed. This serves as an additional hurdle for gold bulls to clear before they can regain control, even if they manage to break through the R36,113.30 resistance.
