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Gold Futures Respond to FOMC Meeting
In my last piece, I proposed a top-line price for gold futures at $2227, noting the intense market fluctuation leading up to the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) convening on the previous Wednesday and Thursday.
Gold futures responded significantly on March 21, 2024. The trading day commenced at a critical support level of $2152.50 and skyrocketed to $2225, as traders grew optimistic about potential reductions in interest rates.
Fed's Influence on Gold Futures Market
The Federal Reserve's chairman, Jerome Powell, acknowledged some inflationary developments, although the enduring theme of easing inflation continued to dominate discussions. This, combined with Fed officials projecting a decrease in interest rates by 75 basis points by 2024’s end, prompted a bullish mood among gold futures traders.
Nevertheless, if gold futures penetrate the vital support threshold of $2148 in the following week, we could witness a stimulation of further selling pressure.
Traders' Concern Over Gold Futures Trend
The daily gold futures chart reveals that the 9-day moving average (DMA) has steadied at $2168 since March 21, 2024. This factor has raised doubts among market participants.
The exhaustion candle witnessed on March 21 was trailed by another bearish trimming on March 22, indicating an impending sell-off if gold futures close below the 9 DMA this week.
The weekly chart shows a bearish hammer formation, which, if confirmed next week with a breach of critical support at $2151, could trigger a sharp downward spiral.
Conclusion: Gold Futures Outlook
The future for gold traders might remain shrouded in ambiguity until the subsequent two meetings by the Fed. A potential rally above the immediate cap of $2189 could set up an attractive proposition for shorting gold futures, leading to another short beyond the second hurdle at $2222.
On a different note, we could witness a slide in gold futures to a critical support level at $2077 before the Fed commits to a definitive direction.
