Gold prices have recovered but are still difficultThe gold price (XAU/USD) saw a modest recovery from its lowest point in over a week at the start of this week, despite remaining in negative territory for the first half of the European trading session. Meanwhile, the US Dollar (USD) continues its struggle to achieve any significant momentum amid ongoing uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate policy direction. This uncertainty, coupled with a slightly improved risk sentiment and geopolitical concerns, has been a key driver in pushing some towards precious metals as a safe haven.
However, the outlook for a rise in gold prices is still constrained by the increasingly common view that the Fed will maintain higher interest rates for a longer period to control inflation. This expectation supports the rise in US Treasury yields, potentially diminishing the appeal of gold, an asset that does not yield interest. Ahead of the highly anticipated FOMC meeting decision expected on Wednesday, traders might adopt a cautious stance, limiting their bets on positive developments.
The essence of maintaining high interest rates as part of efforts to curb inflation suggests that more time may be needed to manage inflation effectively. This situation, combined with the uncertainty surrounding global economic and geopolitical conditions, creates a complex scenario for gold investors as they weigh the safety of gold against the prospects of limited profitability in a high-interest rate environment.
