Gold Tensions Rise

 

Gold Prices Rebound from Weekly Lows as US–Iran Tensions Drive Market Sentiment

Global gold prices rebounded on Wednesday (April 23, 2026) after falling to their lowest level in over a week during the previous session. The recovery was largely driven by bargain hunting, as investors took advantage of lower prices, while growing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran renewed safe-haven demand.

In the latest trading session, spot gold rose by 0.5% to reach $4,735.65 per ounce at 13:40 local time, بعدما earlier gaining as much as 1% at the start of the session. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures for June delivery closed 0.7% higher at $4,753.00 per ounce.

Market analysts suggest that the rebound was primarily fueled by technical factors following the sharp decline seen on Tuesday. According to Jim Wyckoff, senior analyst at Kitco Metals, buying activity emerged after recent losses, reflecting strong bargain hunting across precious metals, including gold and silver.

Geopolitical risks remain a key driver of market sentiment. Reports indicate that Iran has seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route and one of the most sensitive geopolitical hotspots in the Middle East.

At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to set a clear deadline regarding a potential ceasefire with Iran, despite ongoing diplomatic pressure. So far, there are no signs of renewed peace negotiations between the two nations.

Tensions in the region have further escalated following renewed instability in the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire, after an Israeli drone strike reportedly killed at least three people in Lebanon.

Despite these developments, some analysts believe the market remains cautiously optimistic that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could ease. Bart Melek, Head of Global Commodity Strategy at TD Securities, noted that gold prices received modest support from hopes of de-escalation, although the situation remains fragile and uncertain.

From a broader perspective, gold prices have declined by approximately 11% since the escalation of the US–Israel–Iran conflict in late February. Rising oil prices have fueled inflation concerns, while elevated interest rates continue to weigh on gold’s appeal as a non-yielding asset.

Investors are also closely watching the direction of U.S. monetary policy. Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh emphasized that he has made no commitments to President Trump regarding interest rate cuts, reaffirming the central bank’s independence amid the Senate confirmation process.

Other precious metals also posted gains. Spot silver climbed 1.4% to $77.80 per ounce, platinum surged 2.1% to $2,079.80, and palladium advanced 1.3% to $1,553.43 per ounce.

Share:

Read More

Gold Rebound Risks

 

Gold Price Rebounds but Downside Risks Persist Amid US-Iran Tensions

Gold prices are attempting a modest recovery, trading near $4,750 during Wednesday’s Asian session after dropping more than 2% on Tuesday. Market attention remains focused on the evolving US-Iran geopolitical situation, especially in the absence of major US economic data releases later in the day.

On the daily chart, XAU/USD is trading at $4,757.33, maintaining a constructive short-term bullish bias. Prices are holding above the 21-day and 100-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), located around $4,684 and $4,732 respectively. The metal is also hovering slightly above the previous descending trendline resistance breakout zone near $4,750. Meanwhile, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits just below the 50 level, signaling neutral but stable momentum.

On the upside, immediate resistance is seen at the upper boundary of a falling wedge pattern near $4,790. A daily close above this level would be crucial to confirm a bullish breakout from the formation. The next key resistance stands at the 50-day SMA around $4,883, where sustained upward movement could trigger a stronger recovery. On the downside, initial support is located near the former trendline resistance-turned-support around $4,750, followed by the 100-day SMA at $4,732 and the 21-day SMA near $4,684. A break below this cluster of support levels could expose deeper demand near the 200-day SMA around $4,237.

Gold Price Outlook Influenced by Geopolitical Developments

On Wednesday morning, gold prices recovered part of their previous sharp losses as sellers retreated from levels above $4,800. The recent uptick in the precious metal is largely driven by a temporary decline in safe-haven demand for the US Dollar (USD), as markets reacted positively to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a unilateral extension of the US-Iran ceasefire.

However, the sustainability of gold’s rebound remains uncertain. US-Iran peace negotiations have stalled, with Trump reportedly awaiting a “comprehensive proposal” from Tehran amid the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran’s military has warned of strong retaliatory actions against predefined targets in response to repeated threats from the US President, stating that they will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the naval blockade remains in place.

According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the United States has also restricted dollar shipments to Iraq in an effort to pressure Iran-backed militias.

This ongoing Middle East geopolitical tension is likely to continue limiting downside pressure on the US Dollar.

Additionally, stronger-than-expected US Retail Sales data has revived expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike this year, providing further support to the USD and capping gold’s upside potential.

“Retail Sales surged 1.7% last month, the largest increase since March 2025, following an upwardly revised 0.7% gain in February,” reported Reuters, citing data from the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau.

Meanwhile, the confirmation hearing of Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh signaled to markets that he may adopt a less dovish stance than previously expected, should his nomination be approved.

Share:

Read More

Gold Awaits Talks

 

Gold Price Struggles Near Daily Lows as Traders Await US–Iran Peace Talks

Gold prices remain under pressure during early European trading, hovering below the $4,800 level while holding above the one-week low reached in the previous session. Market sentiment stays cautious as investors question the likelihood of a breakthrough in US–Iran negotiations amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

From a technical perspective, the precious metal maintains a mildly bullish outlook as it continues to trade above the 200-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $4,784.25. Additional support is reinforced by the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the March decline at $4,762.13. However, momentum indicators suggest limited conviction, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) near neutral at 51 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) slightly in negative territory. This indicates that while buyers still hold a structural advantage, bullish follow-through remains weak.

Immediate support levels are seen at the 200-period EMA ($4,784.25) and the 50% Fibonacci retracement ($4,762.13). A sustained break below this zone could open the door for deeper declines toward $4,607.05 and $4,415.17, with a broader downside target near the swing low at $4,105.01. On the upside, initial resistance stands at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of $4,917.21, followed by $5,138.01 (78.6% retracement) and the cycle high region around $5,419.25, where selling pressure may re-emerge.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions continue to influence market dynamics. The US Navy reportedly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman as part of its blockade, prompting Iran to once again restrict access to the strategic waterway. This development has supported crude oil prices and revived inflation concerns, strengthening the US Dollar (USD) and weighing on gold.

However, significant USD gains may remain limited due to declining expectations of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. According to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, markets are pricing in a roughly 45–50% probability of a rate cut by year-end. This outlook could cap USD strength and provide underlying support for non-yielding assets like gold.

Traders are also likely to remain cautious amid uncertainty surrounding the continuation of US–Iran peace talks. US President Donald Trump stated that American negotiators will travel to Pakistan for another round of discussions with Iran, aiming to extend a fragile ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday. On the other hand, Iranian officials have expressed reluctance to proceed, citing ongoing US actions as a major obstacle. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized that negotiations cannot occur under pressure, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi highlighted repeated ceasefire violations as a key barrier to diplomacy. Despite this, reports suggest an Iranian delegation may still head to Islamabad for talks.

Looking ahead, market focus will remain on incoming headlines related to US–Iran developments, which are likely to drive volatility in financial markets. Additionally, Tuesday’s trading session may be influenced by testimony from incoming Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, potentially offering further direction for gold prices. Given the mixed fundamental backdrop, traders are advised to exercise caution before placing aggressive directional bets on XAU/USD.

Share:

Read More

Gold Near Resistance

 

Gold Price Hesitates Near $4,800 as Inflation Concerns Offset USD Weakness

Gold prices are showing a modest intraday recovery from the $4,737–$4,738 zone—marking a one-week low reached earlier on Monday—while hovering near the $4,800 level ahead of the European session. The US Dollar has retreated from its one-week high, pausing its rebound from nearly two-month lows recorded last Friday. This pullback in the greenback is currently providing key support to the precious metal.

However, the XAU/USD pair is struggling to sustain momentum above the 100-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA) and establish a firm position above $4,800. Technical indicators suggest weakening bullish momentum, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 44 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remaining in negative territory. This signals that bearish pressure still dominates unless gold can break decisively above nearby resistance levels.

The 100-hour SMA at $4,805.60 stands as the immediate resistance. A sustained breakout above this level is essential to ease the current bearish bias and open the door for a stronger upside move. As long as gold trades below this barrier, any rally is likely to attract selling interest rather than confirm a lasting bullish reversal.

Meanwhile, an intraday surge in crude oil prices has reignited inflation concerns and pushed US Treasury yields slightly higher. This could limit further gains in gold, as the non-yielding asset tends to struggle in a rising yield environment.

Geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz continue to dampen hopes for renewed peace negotiations before the current ceasefire expires on April 22. The US Navy recently intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman as part of its blockade. Iran has condemned the move as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and has once again closed the strategic waterway after briefly reopening it following a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah last Friday.

US President Donald Trump stated that the naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in place until a peace agreement is reached. The White House also confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will lead another delegation for a second round of talks aimed at ending the conflict. However, Iranian state media reported that officials will not participate while the US blockade continues.

These developments have reduced the likelihood of a near-term peace deal, fueling renewed global risk aversion and supporting the US Dollar’s safe-haven appeal. Still, USD bulls remain cautious amid declining expectations for further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.

According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, there is roughly a 40% probability of a Fed rate cut by year-end. This outlook is capping significant USD gains and offering some support to gold prices. Nevertheless, the lack of strong follow-through buying suggests traders should remain cautious before expecting a sustained upward trend from the March swing low around $4,100.

With no major US economic data scheduled for release, both the US Dollar and gold prices are likely to remain driven by ongoing developments in US-Iran geopolitical tensions.

Share:

Read More

Gold Under Pressure

 

Gold Prices Near Daily Lows as Strong USD Holds Firm Amid Hormuz Risks

Gold prices remained under pressure for a third consecutive session, staying below the key $4,800 level as a stronger US Dollar limited upside momentum. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East, lingering friction between the United States and Iran—driven by continued US naval blockades of Iranian ports—continues to support the greenback’s safe-haven status and weigh on the precious metal.

From a technical perspective, gold’s failure to break above the 200-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart signals caution for bullish traders. However, downside movement has so far found support near the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the March decline. This suggests that traders may wait for a decisive break below the $4,765 support zone before confirming further bearish momentum.

Momentum indicators remain mixed. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering near the neutral 50 level, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) continues to trend lower in negative territory. This combination indicates that sellers still hold a tactical advantage unless gold reclaims the key resistance at the 200-period SMA around $4,814. A sustained breakout above this level could open the door toward the stronger Fibonacci resistance at $4,912 (61.8% retracement), followed by potential targets at $5,130 and $5,409.

On the downside, immediate support lies at $4,759, aligned with the 50% retracement level. A break below this point could expose further declines toward $4,606 and $4,416, where buyers may step in to defend the broader uptrend structure.

Meanwhile, a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has raised hopes for a potential long-term peace agreement between the US and Iran. Former US President Donald Trump expressed optimism, stating that Iran is close to reaching a deal. According to the Wall Street Journal, Washington and Tehran have agreed in principle to resume negotiations, although no specific timeline or venue has been confirmed.

These developments have contributed to a more positive risk sentiment, while declining expectations of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve have capped the US Dollar’s recovery from multi-week lows. This, in turn, has helped gold rebound from intraday lows around $4,768–$4,767.

Earlier in the week, US Producer Price Index (PPI) data eased inflation concerns linked to rising energy prices amid geopolitical tensions. Additionally, expectations of further de-escalation in the Middle East have kept crude oil prices subdued, reducing hawkish pressure on the Fed. Market participants are currently pricing in around a 30% chance of a rate cut by year-end, limiting further USD gains and providing some support for non-yielding assets like gold.

Looking ahead, the absence of major US economic data on Friday leaves the US Dollar sensitive to speeches from key Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members. However, investor focus will remain on the upcoming US-Iran peace talks, potentially scheduled for the weekend. Any new developments could drive volatility in financial markets and create trading opportunities in gold. Despite recent weakness, XAU/USD remains on track to post a modest gain for the third consecutive week.

Share:

Read More

Gold Demand Rises

 Gold Prices Fluctuate as Investment Demand Continues to Rise

Gold prices have shown notable fluctuations since the beginning of 2026. Despite this volatility, gold remains a preferred investment asset among investors seeking stability and long-term value.

According to data from Trading Economics, global gold prices stood at approximately US$4,300 per troy ounce on January 2. Prices then surged to around US$5,400 per troy ounce by January 28. However, by March 23, 2026, gold retreated to about US$4,400 per troy ounce before rebounding to approximately US$4,800 per troy ounce on April 16, 2026.

Chikita Rosemarie, Public Relations Manager at PT Central Mega Kencana (CMK), stated that demand for gold and diamond jewelry remains strong despite ongoing global geopolitical uncertainties. The company, which manages brands such as The Palace, Frank & Co, Mondial, and Laku Emas, continues to see consistent interest from consumers in both physical and digital gold investments.

“Amid global geopolitical concerns, people tend to secure their assets. This drives consistent—and even increasing—demand for gold, jewelry, and digital gold,” Chikita said on Thursday (April 16, 2026).

She added that gold sales at The Palace recorded growth in the first quarter of 2026, meeting the company’s internal targets. Although specific growth figures were not disclosed, the upward trend reflects sustained consumer confidence in gold as a safe-haven asset.

“We remain committed to improving product accessibility, ensuring that more people can diversify their assets through gold ownership,” Chikita explained.

Looking ahead, The Palace plans to launch the “Semarak Pengundian Nasional The Palace 2026” program. This initiative aims to reward customers with prizes ranging from gold and diamond jewelry to motorcycles, while also enhancing customer engagement and accessibility to jewelry products.

In addition to physical gold, digital gold trading is gaining significant traction. Data from the Indonesia Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (ICDX), also known as Bursa Komoditi dan Derivatif Indonesia (BKDI), shows substantial growth in digital gold transactions.

In the first quarter of 2026, total transactions reached 30,921,382 grams—an increase of 246% compared to 8,941,108 grams recorded during the same period in Q1 2025.

ICDX Director Nursalam noted that this growth highlights increasing public interest in digital gold trading within the futures exchange market. However, he also urged caution, reminding investors to be vigilant about various digital gold trading offers circulating on social media.

Moving forward, ICDX plans to collaborate with key stakeholders, including regulators such as Bappebti, to further expand the ecosystem and drive higher transaction volumes.

“Based on the positive trend in the first quarter of 2026, we are optimistic that transactions will continue to grow throughout the year,” Nursalam concluded.

Share:

Read More