Gold roars above $3,300 as USD tumbles, Fed countdown begins
Gold (XAU/USD) prices jumped over 2%, or more than $70, on Monday as the Greenback was battered, although positive economic data from the United States (US) suggests the economy remains solid. XAU/USD trades at $3,321 after bouncing off daily lows of $3,237.
Market mood improved following a report by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) that service providers reassured the robustness of the US economy. The data hinted that prices are rising, ignited by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs
Over the weekend, Trump announced 100% duties on foreign-produced movies while saying that the Federal Reserve (Fed) should lower interest rates. He said he won’t remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell before his term ends in May 2026.
Trump added that the US is meeting with many countries, including China, and that his main priority is reaching a deal with Beijing.
Meanwhile, traders are bracing for the Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting on Wednesday. The markets have fully priced in that the US central bank will keep rates unchanged, though they will be looking at Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference. Policymakers will not update their forecasts until the June meeting, which could provide some hints regarding monetary policy.
Gold price unfazed by higher US Treasury bond yields
Bullion prices remain underpinned, although US Treasury bond yields rise. The US 10-year Treasury note yield climbs four and a half basis points to 4.35%. At the same time, US real yields rallied five bps to 2.087%, as shown by the US 10-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities yields.
The ISM Services PMI rose to 51.6 in April, up from 50.8 and beating expectations of 50.6, signaling a modest improvement in service sector activity.
Notably, the Prices Paid sub-index surged to 65.1 its highest since February 2023 up from 60.9, indicating a reacceleration in input inflation pressures.
Last week’s US Nonfarm Payroll figures for April exceeded estimates despite trailing March’s numbers, suggesting that the labor market remains solid. Worth noting that the Unemployment Rate was unchanged at 4.2%, justifying the Fed’s stance of wait-and-see mode regarding monetary policy.
Source: Fxstreet
