The sentiment surrounding the XAU/USD pair is currently bearish, with traders leaning towards a bullish stance despite potential price declines. Here's an analysis based on the latest data:
- Recent Sentiment Shifts: The sentiment has shifted towards bearishness, with net-long positions decreasing by 17.44% since yesterday and increasing by 3.80% over the past week. Conversely, net-short positions have surged by 19.70% daily and declined by 2.78% weekly1. These conflicting trends contribute to a mixed trading bias for gold.
- Market Analysis: The IG Client Sentiment data shows that traders are now net-short Gold for the first time since July 19, 2024, when Gold traded near $2,400.622. This indicates a shift in market sentiment towards a bearish outlook.
- Technical Indicators: The daily XAU/USD pair chart shows buyers adding long positions cautiously. The pair holds above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the April/May rally at $2,326.50, which is a relevant support level3. Technical indicators have turned higher within positive levels, although with limited upward strength3.
- Contrarian Signals: Sentiments below the 35% or above the 65% thresholds, combined with a price moving in the opposite direction, could imply a contrarian signal4. In the case of XAU/USD, a sentiment below 35% could suggest a potential price increase, as traders are increasingly bearish.
- Fed Policy and Inflation: The Federal Reserve's stance on inflation and interest rates is a significant factor influencing gold prices. Any deviation from the desired inflation level could trigger market reactions, as seen with the recent PPI data3.
In conclusion, while the sentiment is currently bearish, traders should be cautious due to potential contrarian signals and the importance of monitoring market conditions, such as Fed policy and inflation, which can significantly impact gold prices.