Gold rises as markets eye lower interest rates, higher Chinese demand

• Gold price rises as markets increase their bets of interest rates coming down in the US. 
• The Chinese Caixin services PMI data remains in expansive territory, supporting the outlook for a key market for Gold. 
• Central bank buying of Gold remains strong in March, according to the World Gold Council. 

The Gold price (XAU/USD) is trading up by almost a percent, in the $2,320s on Monday,  as markets weigh the implications of weaker-than-expected US jobs data on interest rates - a key driver of Gold price - and economic data from China, a major market for Gold, stays in expansive territory. 

Gold price rises after US jobs, China data

Gold price rebounds on Monday as markets mull the outlook for interest rates in the light of recent US employment metrics. 

Friday's US Nonfarm Payrolls data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a below-estimated 175K people found work in April. More importantly, wage inflation showed a slowdown, with Average Hourly Earnings both on a yearly and monthly basis ticking down from where economists had expected. 

The weaker-than-expected data suggests the Federal Reserve (Fed) may lower interest rates sooner than had been anticipated. This scenario increases the attractiveness of Gold as lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of owning the non-yielding precious metal. 

Chinese Caixin Services PMI data released Monday showed the sector remaining in expansive territory (above 50) in April, keeping alive hopes of buoyant demand for Gold in China despite the country's recent economic woes. 

Central Bank acquisitions of Gold remain net positive

According to data from the World Gold Council (WGC) tracking central bank acquisitions of Gold in March, buying showed a net positive of 15 tonnes from central banks, who have become one of the largest consumers of Gold in recent years. 

The figure was in line with previous months, keeping the positive trend in demand alive.

"Buying strength has continued into 2024, with emerging market banks the main driving force for both purchases and sales," said Krishan Gopaul Senior Analyst, EMEA

at the World Gold Council. 

Technical Analysis: Gold price starts oscillating in a range

Gold price (XAU/USD) has started trading sideways on the 4-hour chart, which is used to analyze the short-term trend. 

The pair has just retested the ceiling of a mini-range at around $2,326, and has pulled back during the last period. This is also the level of the 50 Simple Moving Average (SMA), painted in red in the chart below. 

XAU/USD 4-hour Chart

Price could potentially pull back further and fall to the base of the range at around $2,280 or break out of the top of the range and start moving towards resistance at $2,353, which aligns with the top of the late April swing high and top of wave B. 

A decisive break out of the top of the range would signal a likely move up to a conservative target at $2,353, (top of wave B) and the 0.681 Fibonacci extension of the height of the range extrapolated higher. In a bullish case, it could even possibly make it to $2,370.

A decisive break would be one characterized by a longer-than-average green candlestick that pierces above the range ceiling, and closes near its high; or three green candlesticks in a row that pierce above the respective level.  

Unfinished Measured Move

Gold price is potentially unfolding a bearish Measured Move price pattern which began on April 19. 

Measured Moves are zig-zag type patterns composed of three waves labeled A, B and C, with C usually equalling A or a Fibonnaci 0.681 of A. Price has fallen to the conservative estimate for wave C at $2,286, the Fibonacci 0.681 of wave A. 

Wave C could still go lower and reach the 100% extrapolation of A at $2,245 (1.000 or where A=C). Such a move would be confirmed by a decisive break below the range and the May 3 low at $2,277.  

The trend for Gold price is up on both the medium and long-term charts (daily and weekly), overall supporting the outlook on lower time frames.