🚀 Gold hits record highs on expectations of rate cuts from major banks
Gold (XAU) reached record highs following expectations of rate cuts from the major banks.
👉 Possible effects for traders
Gold climbed towards approximately $2,685 per ounce on Thursday as a dovish outlook from major central banks and slightly lower bond yields boosted demand for non-yielding bullion. The Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to deliver rate cuts in its two remaining decisions this year, with a 25-basis-point (bps) reduction in November becoming increasingly probable. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank (ECB) is anticipated to cut rates at today's meeting, and declining inflation in the U.K. signals a potential rate cut next month. Additionally, several major Asian central banks have recently lowered their rates.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar (USD) remains strong, hovering near its highest level since early August, as markets increasingly anticipate the Fed implementing only modest interest rate cuts this year. This, coupled with positive risk sentiment, discourages traders from making new bullish bets on safe-haven gold, limiting further gains. Traders now focus on the upcoming U.S. macroeconomic data to get more information about short-term trading opportunities.
XAUUSD rose during the Asian trading session. Today, traders should brace for heightened volatility as many key economic events come out. First, the ECB interest rate decision is due at 12:15 p.m. UTC and the ECB press conference at 12:45 p.m. UTC. These events could spark additional movement in XAUUSD, especially if there are hints of further monetary easing. Following that, U.S. Retail Sales and Jobless Claims reports will be released at 12:30 p.m. UTC, potentially affecting all USD pairs, including XAUUSD. Strong retail sales data could boost the greenback and push XAUUSD lower, while weaker-than-expected figures might support a bullish trend in gold.