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Gold trades near March lows as a strong US Dollar, Fed rate hike expectations, and US-Iran tensions weigh on XAU/USD prices and market sentiment.

Gold (XAU/USD) stayed under pressure during the Asian trading session trading near the $4,470 level after touching its lowest point since March 30 earlier on Wednesday. A powerful US Dollar continues to weigh on Gold prices as investors remain careful about the ongoing US-Iran status and the outlook for US interest rates.

Market sentiment remains volatile over the potential of a US Iran agreement. US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that military action against Iran could still be considered if negotiations fail noting that an attack had nearly been approved before being delayed following appeals from Gulf leaders. At the same time Vice President JD Vance said talks between the two countries have progressed and both sides are trying to avoid renewed conflict.

Despite these comments concerns remain over unresolved issues surrounding Iran nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. This uncertainty has supported demand for the US Dollar as a safe-haven asset creating pressure on Gold prices.

Meanwhile tensions in the Middle East have kept Crude Oil prices close to monthly highs adding to inflation concerns. Rising inflation expectations have strengthened market bets that the US Federal Reserve could maintain a stricter policy stance. According to market expectations traders are increasingly pricing in the possibility of a US rate increase in 2026.

Comments from Philadelphia Fed officials also reinforced this outlook suggesting that higher rates may still be needed if economic growth remains strong or inflation risks rise. As a result US Treasury yields have moved higher further supporting the Dollar and limiting demand for non-yielding assets like Gold.

However traders remain cautious ahead of the release of the FOMC Minutes later in the North American session, which may offer fresh guidance on the Fedโ€™s future policy direction. Developments in the Middle East will also remain a key driver for Gold.

Gold Technical Outlook

From a technical viewpoint Gold faces continued downside pressure after slipping below the important $4,500 psychological level. Momentum indicators remain weak with the RSI near the mid 30 ranges and MACD staying in negative habitat indicating fading buying strength.

Even so Gold still finds long term support near the 200-day simple Moving Average (SMA) located around $4,363. A clear disrupt below this support could trigger deeper losses while holding above it may allow prices to stabilize and maintain the broader long term upturn despite current weakness.

Canadian Dollar Weakens as Safe-Haven US Dollar Demand Grows

The Canadian Dollar weakened on Tuesday as the US Dollar nonstop to attract safe-haven demand pushing USD/CAD higher near 1.3760, up 0.17% during the session. Despite stronger Oil prices the Canadian currency stumbled to gain support.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil traded around $102.70, marking a 0.60% increase for the day. Since Canada is a major energy seller rising oil prices usually provide support to the Canadian Dollar. However broader market emotion limited those gains.

Fresh inflation data from Canada showed price growth picked up in April. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.8% year-over-year compared to 2.4% in the previous reading. While inflation moved higher the result was just below market forecasts. On a monthly basis CPI rose 0.4%.

At the same time the Bank of Canada selected core inflation measure pointed to easing price pressures. BoC Core CPI slowed to 2.1% from 2.5% earlier suggesting that although inflation remains somewhat persistent the overall trend continues to moderate.

Meanwhile the US Dollar stayed firm as investors looked for safer assets amid rising geopolitical tensions linked to Iran. Reports of explosions on Iran Qeshm Island and concerns over shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz increased worries about potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

US economic data also supported the Greenback. The ADP Employment Change report indicated stronger hiring activity with private employers adding an average of 42.25K jobs per week in early May compared with 33K previously.

Although Oil prices moved higher stronger demand for the US Dollar and Canadian inflation data that failed to significantly change expectations for Bank of Canada policy continued to support gains in USD/CAD.

Gold Price Forecast

Gold prices remained steady above the $4,700 mark on Friday as the US Dollar nonstop to lose strength. The weaker Greenback helped support the valuable metal even as investors stayed cautious due to fresh tensions between the United States and Iran and doubt surrounding the fragile ceasefire situation in the Middle East. Gold is currently heading for a weekly gain of around 2.25%, mainly supported by hopes that politic efforts could ease regional conflict and reduce demand for the safe-haven US Dollar. However the recent rally appears to be slowing below the $4,770 level.

Tensions in the Middle East continued after Iran indicted the US of attacking an oil vessel in the Strait of Hormuz along with several civilian locations. In response the US reported round and drone attacks targeting its naval forces in the region. Despite these developments US President Donald Trump minimized the clashes and stated that the truce agreement was still in place. He also once again urged Iran to move forward with a diplomatic deal.

Market immersion is now turning toward the upcoming US April Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report which is expected later on Friday. Investors will closely watch the employment data for clues about the Federal Reserve future interest rate decisions. Recent disagreements among Fed policymakers have created uncertainty about the central bank next move making the labor market report even more important for traders.

Technical Analysis: Gold Rally Shows Signs of Slowing

From a technical perspective Gold still maintains a positive short term trend although momentum indicators suggest that buying power may be fading. The 4 hour Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains above neutral levels after retreating from overbought territory. At the same time the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator has started to weaken with the MACD line approaching a bearish crossover below the signal line.

Recent price action shows Gold rebounding from 5 week lows before moving into a merger phase near the $4,700 area over the last few trading sessions. Resistance continues to hold around the $4,765โ€“$4,775 zone which includes April 22 highs and Thursday peak. A successful breakout above this region could open the door toward April high near $4,900.

On the downside immediate support is seen around the $4,650 area which previously acted as resistance. If prices move lower stronger support could appear near the April 29 and May 4 lows slightly above the important psychological level of $4,500.

US April Nonfarm Payrolls in Focus as Markets

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release the April Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report on Friday at 12:30 GMT with markets closely watching the data for fresh clues on the Federal Reserve next policy move.

Economists expect the US economy to add around 62,000 jobs in April next the much stronger than expected increase of 178,000 jobs recorded in March. The Unemployment Rate is forecast to stay steady at 4.3%, while annual wage growth, measured by Average Hourly Earnings is expected to rise to 3.8% from the early 3.5%.

Analysts at TD Securities believe the final employment report could show signs that the labor market is becoming more stable after several months of mixed data. They assess payroll growth of around 80,000 jobs supported mainly by hiring in healthcare and leisure & hospitality sectors while government employment may refuse slightly. They also expect wage growth to remain temperate on a monthly basis.

Earlier this week data from Automatic Data Processing (ADP) showed that private sector employment increased by 109,000 jobs in April improving from March revised gain of 61,000. ADP Chief Economist Dr. Nela Richardson noted that hiring remains healthy among both small and large businesses although mid-sized employers are display weaker demand. Meanwhile the employment component of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services PMI improved to 48 in April from 45.2 in March indicating that job losses in the services sector are slowing down.

The US Dollar (USD) has remained under pressure against major currencies despite the Federal Reserve delivering a relatively hawkish tone during its April policy meeting. Improved global risk emotion due to easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and possible currency market intervention by Japan have contributed to the USD recent weakness.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged after the meeting that labor demand has softened but intensified that the central bank remains flexible due to ongoing inflation concerns. He stated that policy decisions are not predetermined and that the Fed is prepared to adjust policy in either instruction if needed.

According to the CME Fed Watch Tool markets currently expect a high probability that the Fed will keep interest rates unchanged within the 3.5%โ€“3.75% range through the end of 2026. However traders are still pricing in smaller chances of either a rate hike or a rate cut later in the year.

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