Daily Market Analysis from ForexMart

Gold edges lower as Middle East tensions ease

The yellow metal continues to decline, plunging investors into gloom and prompting them to reassess their trading strategies. However, some analysts are confident that the precious metal will rebound in the near future, viewing its decline as a natural step before another rally. The optimism of experts bolsters investors, although some market players remain skeptical about the near-term prospects of gold.

On Monday, April 22, the precious metal sharply fell amid reduced geopolitical risks and decreased demand for safe-haven assets. As a result, gold lost more than 2.7%. According to estimates, gold's decline at the end of the day was the most significant since June 2022.

The metal depreciated amid easing tensions in the Middle East. Such a development reduced the risk premium in the market. At the moment, gold continues to trade downwards after the sharpest decline in two years.

The catalyst for the current downtrend in the precious metal was the de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran. Against this backdrop, many experts are pessimistic about the near-term prospects of gold. They believe that investors will turn to other sources of capital preservation. According to some specialists, prices for the precious metal may break below the $2,300 per ounce level and then plummet to $2,200 per ounce. Analysts recommend preparing for a significant decline in the yellow metal amid extremely overbought conditions, as indicated by the RSI on the daily chart.

Currency strategists at ABN AMRO Bank have maintained their forecast, according to which gold will lose heavy losses, diving to $2,000 per ounce by the end of 2024. The bank's specialists cite excessively high current prices, dollar strengthening, liquidation of assets in gold ETFs, and the absence of a physical gold shortage in the global market as reasons.

The current drop in the yellow metal (by more than 2.7%) is considered by experts to be the most significant in the last two years. Gold futures quotes on the New York Comex exchange plummeted to $2,346.4 per ounce at the end of Monday's trading, reaching the lowest level since April 5, 2024. On Tuesday, April 23, the precious metal declined by 0.85% and then fell by another 1.3%. Currently, gold is trading at the level of $2,316.45 per ounce.

The precious metal was also weighed down by the high likelihood that the Federal Reserve would maintain a tight monetary policy much longer than expected in early 2024. The focus of market attention is on the publication of the key inflation indicator in the United States - the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, which the regulator pays special attention to when assessing risks. The release of this report is scheduled for Friday, April 26. According to preliminary forecasts, the indicator decreased to 2.6% year-on-year in March. Recall that its February value was 2.8% year-on-year.

Many investors are counting on some easing of geopolitical tensions. At the same time, market participants are switching to riskier assets such as stocks. According to CFTC data, the volume of major market players' long positions in gold futures and options is at a four-year high. The reason for profit-taking was the fairly rapid decline in the value of the precious metal. In addition, in recent months, gold has appreciated despite a steep rally in the greenback. In the current situation, the risks of a deep correction in the precious metal are increasing.

However, according to some analysts, there are favorable factors contributing to further gans in gold. Tailwinds for the yellow metal will be the US Federal Reserve's rate cuts, global instability, and the growing US government debt. Against this backdrop, even economists at Bank of America, who are skeptical about the prospects of the precious metal, expect its price to rise to $3,000 by 2025. Analysts at Citi Bank are also bullish on gold, expecting it to gain in the next 6–18 months. Many investors adhere to this position, asserting that the likely record of $3,000 per ounce will be surpassed in a couple of years.

Improvement in forecasts for gold prices in 2024 boosts investor optimism. It is worth noting that these forecasts anticipate an increase in the value of the metal in the near future. Confidence in such a scenario allows market players to weather the current market woes and prepare for an upcoming rise in gold.

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Weekly forecast based on simplified wave analysis of EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/JPY, USD/CAD, NZD/USD, and Gold on May 6th

EUR/USD

Analysis:
The weekly chart scale of the major European currency pair shows that the dominant descending wave of recent months is nearing completion. The wave structure appears to be formed. The unfinished segment in the upward direction dates back to April 16.

Forecast:
We expect to see a general sideways movement in the euro's price in the upcoming week. One should expect an increase towards the calculated resistance zone in the coming days. Subsequently, there is a high probability of transitioning into a drift, followed by a further price decline. The greatest volatility is expected towards the end of the week.

Potential reversal zones

Resistance:
1.0870/1.0920
Support:
1.0620/1.0570

Recommendations:
Buying: Small volume purchases within the "intraday" framework can be profitable for the deposit.
Selling: Without confirmed reversal signals near the resistance zone, conditions for such transactions do not exist.

USD/JPY

Analysis:
Over the past year, the dominant upward wave of the main Japanese yen pair has been completed. The descending wave zigzag initiated on April 29 possesses reversal potential. Its structure began forming the middle part (B) at the end of last week. Quotes reached the lower boundary of the potential reversal zone on the H4 timeframe.

Forecast:
At the beginning of the upcoming week, there is a high probability of price movement within the corridor between the nearest counter zones. A transition to sideways drift is expected after possible pressure on the support zone. Towards the end of the week, one can expect a resumption of price growth towards the resistance boundaries.

Potential reversal zones
Resistance:
154.70/155.20
Support:
151.60/151.10

Recommendations:
Selling: Carries increased risk and may lead to losses for your deposit. Refraining from trading until the upcoming upward correction is completed is optimal.
Buying: Becomes possible after the appearance of reversal signals from your trading systems near the resistance zone.

GBP/JPY

Analysis:
The direction of movement of the British pound/Japanese yen pair since the end of September 2022 is determined by an ascending wave. On the weekly timeframe, it completes a larger ascending wave structure. The descending segment since April 29 possesses reversal potential and may mark the beginning of a correction of the main wave.

Forecast:
In the coming days, the flat character of the movement is expected to continue. A short-term increase in quotes to the resistance zone is not excluded. In the following days, an increase in volatility, a reversal, and a resumption of price decline are expected. A brief breach of the upper resistance boundary is possible upon course change.

Potential reversal zones
Resistance:
193.80/194.30
Support:
188.70/188.20

Recommendations:
Buying: It is suggested that the main attention be devoted to finding buy signals near the support zone.
Selling: It may become risky and not recommended in the coming days.

USD/CAD

Analysis:
The direction of movement of the Canadian dollar in the main pair since the end of December last year is determined by an ascending wave. The price has reached the boundaries of the wide potential reversal zone in the weekly timeframe. Since the middle of last month, pair quotes have predominantly moved sideways, forming a correction. The wave structure needs to be completed.

Forecast:
The most probable scenario for price movement in the coming days will be a gradual shifting sideways between the nearest counter zones. After a bounce in price towards the upper boundary of the channel, a decline in quotes towards the support area is expected.

Potential reversal zones
Resistance:
1.3730/1.3780
Support:
1.3580/1.3530

Recommendations:
Buying: High risk and may lead to losses.
Selling: Fractional volumes may be used within individual trading sessions.

NZD/USD

Brief analysis:
The unfinished wave structure of the New Zealand dollar chart is directed southward. It dates back to the end of December last year. The middle part (B) continues to form within the wave structure, resembling a horizontal plane. The resistance boundary runs along the lower boundary of a strong potential reversal zone of the large timeframe.

Weekly forecast:
During the upcoming week, gradual movement towards the resistance zone is expected. After reaching the calculated resistance zone, there is a high probability of a downward correction to the support zone.

Potential reversal zones
Resistance:
0.6100/0.6150
Support:
0.5970/0.5920

Recommendations:
Buying: Has limited potential and may be used for scalping.
Selling: After confirmed reversal signals appear near the support zone, it may become the main direction for trading this pair.

Gold

Analysis:
In the gold chart, the direction of short-term trends over the past year is determined by an ascending wave algorithm. Since mid-April, the wave has been correcting, forming an elongated plane. At the time of analysis, it does not appear complete, moving sideways flat along the calculated support zone.

Forecast:
In the coming days, the pair's price should complete the movement's correction phase. A subsequent reversal and price increase towards the resistance zone can be expected by the end of the upcoming week. Breaking out of the indicated price corridor is possible but unlikely.

Potential reversal zones
Resistance:
2360.0/2375.0
Support:
2290.0/2275.0

Recommendations:
Buying: Becomes possible after suitable signals appear near the support zone.
Selling: Conditions for such transactions will arise after confirmed signals appear near the resistance zone.