Gold (XAU/USD) touches a fresh low during the first half of the European session on Friday, with bears looking to extend the intraday descent further below the $4,100 mark. As investors digest Wednesday’s less hawkish FOMC Minutes, the US Dollar (USD) bounces off over a one-week low, supported by prospects of a US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate hike in 2026 and geopolitical uncertainties. This, in turn, exerts downward pressure on bullion, suggesting that the recent bounce from the $4,020 area, or a one-week low set on Wednesday, has run out of steam.
The minutes from the June 16–17 FOMC meeting, released on Wednesday, revealed that policymakers were divided over the direction of interest rates. The minutes further stated that many participants indicated the appropriate level of the federal funds rate would be within or slightly below the current target range at the end of this year. Fed officials, however, indicated that some policy firming would likely be warranted as the upside risk to inflation remains elevated. Moreover, the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool suggests that traders are still pricing in a nearly 85% probability of at least one Fed rate hike by the year-end.
Meanwhile, a fresh escalation of tensions between the US and Iran brings the spotlight back on oil prices and what it could mean for inflation and the global rates outlook. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that it carried out airstrikes on Thursday, hitting 90 Iranian military targets – including air defense systems, missile sites and naval logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, and also warned that further American attacks would trigger a wider regional response, significantly complicating diplomatic efforts.
The market anxiety, however, subsided after US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that Iran had called to make a deal with the US. Adding to this, a White House official signaled that the US is still committed to the memorandum of understanding with Iran. The mixed signals keep investors on edge, suggesting that a strong follow-through buying is needed to confirm that the Gold price has formed a near-term bottom. Nevertheless, the XAU/USD pair remains on track to register modest weekly losses as the market focus remains glued to further developments surrounding the US-Iran saga.
XAU/USD daily chart
Gold looks to extend intraday fall below $4,100 amid bearish technical setup
The precious metal holds within a broader downward parallel channel and below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), which keeps the near-term bias bearish despite improving momentum. The channel’s upper boundary near $4,156.03 is the first structural barrier ahead of the 200-day SMA currently around $4,493.66, reinforcing a cap above spot.
Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram has turned positive, and the MACD line has pushed above the signal line, hinting at a corrective rebound within the broader downtrend. However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 45 still reflects only modest demand rather than a decisive bullish shift.
On the downside, the current day’s swing low, around $4,109-$4,108, acts as a nearby pivot, with stronger support aligned with the channel floor around $3,758.88, where buyers would be expected to re-emerge if the bearish pressure resumes.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
US Dollar FAQs
The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022.
Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away.
The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates.
When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system.
It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.
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