Gold remained resilient on Friday, extending its weekly winning streak as expectations for further Federal Reserve rate cuts and persistent economic uncertainty continued to bolster safe-haven demand. Despite minor profit-taking and a stronger dollar earlier in the week, the metal retained its bullish footing, supported by lower yields and signs of slowing U.S. growth.
Minutes from the Fed’s September meeting and remarks from Chair Jerome Powell suggested policymakers are increasingly cautious about overtightening amid moderating inflation and fragile labor market data.
Futures markets now price in a 93% probability of a rate cut in October and a 79% chance of another in December, according to CME FedWatch. Lower rates typically reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, keeping investor interest steady.
After hitting a two-month high earlier this week, the U.S. Dollar Index slipped on Friday, helping lift gold and silver sentiment. Analysts note that the greenback’s pullback reflects market concerns over the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and its potential impact on near-term economic growth.
“Gold’s strength lies in the fact that it’s not just about inflation anymore, it’s about policy credibility and uncertainty,” said Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant. “When growth slows and rates fall, gold tends to outperform broader assets.”
Silver also benefited from the shifting macro backdrop. Industrial demand remains strong, particularly in the solar and electronics sectors, where consumption has increased over 2% year-on-year, according to the Silver Institute. This dual role, as both a monetary and industrial asset, has helped silver outperform broader commodities in recent weeks.
While short-term technical indicators suggest overbought conditions, analysts expect both metals to remain supported in the near term. The combination of rate-cut bets, a weaker dollar, and elevated geopolitical risk continues to favor precious metals as defensive assets.
With inflation expectations moderating and bond yields softening, gold and silver may consolidate before attempting another push higher into the fourth quarter. For now, traders appear content holding positions, a sign that confidence in the broader uptrend remains intact.
Gold is expected to trade between $3,940 and $4,057, with consolidation likely before another push higher. Silver remains bullish above $49.40, targeting $52.30–$53.40 in the near term.
Gold is trading around $3,967, recovering after briefly dipping below the $3,940 support area, which aligns with the 50% Fibonacci retracement and the 50-EMA at $3,933. The metal remains within an ascending structure, showing higher lows despite short-term pressure.
The RSI at 48 indicates neutral momentum, suggesting room for further consolidation before a directional move. A close above $3,980 could open the path toward $4,001 and $4,057, while failure to hold above $3,938 may trigger a deeper pullback toward $3,910.
Overall, gold’s structure remains constructive, with buyers defending key technical levels and looking for confirmation of renewed momentum before the next leg higher.
Silver is trading near $50.48, extending its rebound within a well-defined ascending channel. The metal continues to post higher highs and higher lows, reinforcing the prevailing bullish structure. The 50-EMA at $48.01 provides dynamic support, while the RSI at 62 signals healthy momentum without showing overbought conditions.
Immediate resistance sits near $51.23, where the upper boundary of the channel aligns with a recent rejection zone. A breakout above this level could open the way toward $52.33 and $53.40.
On the downside, support lies at $49.40 and $48.46. As long as silver holds above its mid-channel trendline, the short-term bias remains constructive with potential for continued gains.
Arslan is a finance MBA and also holds an MPhil degree in behavioral finance. An expert in financial analysis and investor psychology, Arslan uses his academic background to bring valuable insights about market sentiment and whether instruments are likely to be overbought or oversold.