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GOLD - XAU/USD (GC) Fundamental + Technical Analysis - 16 December 2025

MRKT Research Team.December 16, 20253 min read
GOLD - XAU/USD (GC) Fundamental + Technical Analysis - 16 December 2025

Gold Holds Firm Near $4,280 as Fed Cuts Anchor Bias Ahead of Key US Data

Gold continues to trade steadily near the $4,280 area as markets digest a clearly more dovish Federal Reserve stance while positioning ahead of key US labor data. With the Fed delivering its third rate cut and Powell firmly ruling out further hikes, real yields remain under pressure, a structural tailwind for gold, even as inflation remains sticky enough to cap aggressive upside chasing.

Despite the lack of immediate macro surprises, underlying support remains strong. CFTC positioning shows speculative gold longs continuing to build, ETF inflows remain constructive, and broader risk sentiment has softened just enough to keep safe-haven demand alive without triggering panic buying.

In short: gold isn’t rallying aggressively, it’s being bid patiently.

What’s Driving Gold Right Now

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The current price action reflects a market balancing two forces.

On one side, the Fed’s policy shift is increasingly entrenched. Powell has dismissed the possibility of renewed hikes, acknowledged labor-market downside risks, and signaled comfort moving closer to neutral. This keeps real yields capped and limits USD upside, both historically supportive for gold.

On the other side, inflation has not fully rolled over. Tariff risks, geopolitics, and resilient consumption prevent markets from pricing an aggressive 2026 easing cycle. That tension explains why gold is consolidating rather than accelerating.

Geopolitical headlines, from Ukraine-Russia developments to Middle East risks, continue to provide a background bid, but they are not yet strong enough to force a breakout without macro confirmation from US data.

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Technical Outlook & Trade Ideas (XAUUSD)

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Gold remains slightly bullish intraday, with structure favoring controlled pullbacks rather than chasing highs.

Bullish scenarios

  • Pullback buys toward $4,245–$4,260, where prior demand and structure align
  • Acceptance and continuation above $4,310, opening scope toward $4,350+
  • A clean break and hold above $4,350–$4,370 would re-expose all-time highs

Bearish risk

  • Sustained failure below $4,245 would signal deeper consolidation
  • Only a clear shift toward hawkish repricing or upside inflation surprise would flip the bias decisively bearish

At current levels, gold favors patience and precision, not aggression.

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Final Takeaway

Gold is not stalling, it’s waiting.

With Fed policy now firmly tilted toward easing and real yields constrained, the broader bias remains constructive. However, confirmation from US labor and wage data will decide whether the next leg is a continuation toward new highs or a deeper, healthier pullback before resuming higher.

This is a market where context matters more than headlines, and where understanding drivers is more valuable than reacting to candles.

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