Based on the current price at $1309.00, the key downtrending angle to watch into the close is $1307.80.
A surge in the U.S. Dollar is driving gold off its high as we approach the close on Thursday. An expected jump in the greenback caught a few of the weaker gold longs by surprise, forcing them to aggressively exit their positions. Some investors bought gold on Wednesday when the Fed released its dovish announcements, thinking the news would drive the dollar lower, while increasing demand for dollar-denominated gold.
Instead, the greenback surged and gold weakened after the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, and the Philly Fed report, a measure of factory activity in the mid-Atlantic region, rebounded sharply in March after a big drop last month.
At 19:54 GMT, April Comex gold is trading $1309.00, up $7.30 or +0.55%.
The main trend is down according to the daily swing chart. However, momentum is trending higher. The main trend will change to up on a trade through $1349.80. A move through $1280.80 will reaffirm the downtrend.
The minor trend is up. This is helping to support the upside momentum. A trade through $1292.50 will change the minor trend to down and shift momentum to the downside.
The main range is $1349.80 to $1280.80. Its retracement zone at $1315.30 to $1323.40 provided resistance earlier in the session when sellers came in at $1320.20, producing today’s high.
The short-term range is $1280.80 to $1320.20. Its 50% level or pivot at $1300.50 is controlling the near-term direction of the market.
Based on the current price at $1309.00, the key downtrending angle to watch into the close is $1307.80.
Closing over $1307.80 will give the market a slight upside bias. If this is able to generate enough upside momentum then look for a potential late session rally into the main 50% level at $1315.30.
A close under $1307.80 will be a sign of weakness. This could drive gold into the uptrending Gann angle at $1300.80, followed closely by the short-term pivot at $1300.50. This combination actually forms a support cluster.
James is a Florida-based technical analyst, market researcher, educator and trader with 35+ years of experience. He is an expert in the area of patterns, price and time analysis as it applies to futures, Forex, and stocks.