Gold price forecast: XAU climbs past $4,230 after U.S. shutdown ends
Gold extended its advance on Thursday, rising above $4,230 per ounce and marking its strongest level in three weeks as traders adjusted expectations for Federal Reserve policy following the end of the record U.S. government shutdown. The resolution eased short-term political risk but left investors grappling with delayed jobs and inflation data, forcing reliance on private labor figures that show rising layoffs and slowing employment.
Highlights
- Gold hits a three-week high above $4,230 as investors price in potential Fed rate cuts.
- Delayed economic data and weak labor signals drive demand for safe-haven assets.
- Bulls target $4,275 resistance as momentum indicators flip positive.
With those signals pointing to a softer economy, rate-cut expectations have strengthened. Futures now imply a 65% chance of a December reduction, helping gold gain nearly 5% for the week as demand for hedging assets returned.
Bulls regain momentum as technicals align
Technically, gold has staged a powerful rebound from the $3,900 region, where the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the September–October rally overlapped with the 50-day EMA. That confluence served as a strong demand zone, reinforced by buyers defending the $3,888 swing low earlier this month.

Gold price dyanmics (Source: TradingView)
The current rally pushed prices through the 61.8% retracement at $4,191, allowing bulls to test the $4,275 level — which aligns with the 78.6% Fibonacci zone and the descending trendline from the October peak. This resistance has capped every rally over the past month and now defines the breakout threshold for the next leg higher.
If gold closes above $4,275 and sustains momentum, the next upside targets emerge near $4,380 and the 1.618 extension at $4,687. However, a failure to hold above $4,190 could prompt a pullback toward the $4,050–$4,000 area, where the 50-day EMA and 23.6% retracement cluster.
Momentum strengthens as bulls eye breakout
Momentum indicators have shifted firmly in favor of buyers. The Parabolic SAR flipped bullish earlier this week, while the 20-day EMA at $4,062 has turned upward, confirming renewed trend support. These signals point to a strengthening structure after two weeks of consolidation, suggesting that sentiment is turning more constructive.
If momentum persists, gold could challenge the descending trendline near $4,381 — the final ceiling before a broader trend continuation resumes. A clear breakout above this region would mark confirmation of renewed bullish control heading into late November.
Broader view
The macro backdrop remains gold’s strongest tailwind. Investors are pricing in weaker U.S. labor trends, delayed inflation releases, and a more dovish Fed stance — all of which reinforce the appeal of precious metals as defensive assets.
In earlier discussions, the $3,900–$3,950 area was highlighted as a structural floor for gold’s ongoing uptrend. That support has once again held, validating its importance as the market’s risk anchor. With policy uncertainty fading and momentum recovering, traders now look for a sustained break above $4,275 to confirm continuation toward $4,380–$4,687 into December.
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