Prices are under pressure as hot US inflation data pushes rate hike odds higher. But geopolitical tensions and strong central bank demand are keeping a floor under the market.
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📊 GLOBAL PRICES
Benchmark Price Change
Spot Gold (XAU/USD) ~$4,695 - $4,710 ▼ -0.4% to -0.5%
COMEX Gold Futures $4,705 - $4,721 ▼ -0.15%
Spot Silver ~$86.47 - $86.71 ▲ +0.2% to +0.6%
Key intraday range: Gold traded between $4,638 and $4,773 on Tuesday, reflecting the tug-of-war between inflation fears and safe-haven demand .
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🇮🇳 INDIA PRICES (POST-DUTY HIKE)
Unit Price Change
1 Gram (24K) ₹14,508 ▼ from ₹14,545
10 Grams ₹145,082 —
1 Tola ₹169,220 ▼ from ₹169,655
MCX Gold Futures (10g) ~₹1,62,570 ▲ +6% briefly
India raised import duties on gold and silver from 6% to 15% in a surprise move to defend the rupee and curb dollar outflows. The duty hike caused a sharp spike in domestic prices – MCX gold briefly crossed ₹1.64 lakh per 10 grams before profit-taking emerged .
Market reaction: Jewelry players expect a 10-15% reduction in gold imports going forward, and customers are increasingly shifting toward exchanging old gold rather than making fresh purchases .
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📉 WHY GOLD IS UNDER PRESSURE
1. Hot US Inflation Data
April CPI came in at 3.8% YoY – the largest annual gain in three years and above the 3.7% forecast. Core CPI also exceeded expectations .
2. Rate Hike Odds Are Rising
Markets have all but priced out rate cuts for 2026. Overnight-indexed swaps now show 40% probability of a rate hike by December, up from near zero at the end of last month .
3. Stronger Dollar
The dollar index rose 0.3% after the CPI print, adding pressure on dollar-denominated gold .
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🛡️ WHY GOLD ISN'T CRASHING
Despite the hawkish Fed pivot, gold has avoided a steep sell-off for three key reasons:
1. Central Bank Buying Remains Strong
Yuxuan Tang, JPMorgan Private Bank's Asia head of rates and FX strategy, notes: "Gold stayed resilient when rates spiked in 2022. And it tended to rally when rates declined. This asymmetric relationship is driven by central bank demand."
2. ETF Inflows Are Supporting Prices
Global physically backed gold ETFs recorded $6.6 billion in inflows in April – the third-highest total holdings level on record at 4,137 tonnes .
3. Geopolitical Risk Premium Persists
The US-Iran ceasefire remains on life support. Trump publicly rejected Iran's counterproposal, calling it "garbage," and prospects for a lasting peace agreement continue to fade. Iran has tightened its hold over the Strait of Hormuz, keeping the risk premium embedded in both oil and gold .
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🎯 TECHNICAL OUTLOOK
Level Value
Immediate Resistance $4,717 - $4,760
Key Resistance $4,800 - $4,850
Immediate Support $4,671
Key Support $4,627 - $4,630
Gold is currently trading in a broad sideways range after recovering from late-April lows near $4,520-4,530. The technical picture is neutral with a moderately positive bias .
Analyst targets:
· Prithviraj Kothari (India Bullion Association): Gold targeting $4,800–$4,850 range
· Vedika Narvekar (Anand Rathi): Support at $4,450/$4,400, resistance at $4,850/$5,000
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🔮 THE BOTTOM LINE
Gold is caught between two opposing forces:
Bearish Bullish
Hot CPI → Fed hawkish → higher rates Central banks buying aggressively
Rate hike odds at 40% ETF inflows strong ($6.6B in April)
Dollar strength Geopolitical risk (Iran, Strait of Hormuz)
India duty hike may curb imports Silver outperforming (structural deficit)
The verdict: Gold is holding its ground despite a hostile macro environment. The $4,650 support has been tested repeatedly and held. A breakout above $4,760 could trigger a move toward $4,800-$4,850. A break below $4,627 would signal renewed selling pressure .
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