Gold holds its breath amid interest rate undercurrents and drama at the Fed

(Dan Tri) - The gold market is facing a major turning point, fluctuating around historical peaks as investors tensely wait for the Fed and economic data: will it break out to 4,000 USD or fall into correction?

The gold market saw a notable move this past trading week, sparked by a political event in Washington. The news that President Donald Trump intended to dismiss Fed Governor Lisa Cook immediately impacted gold prices, pushing the precious metal to its highest level in more than two weeks.

This event, while a single development, is a clear demonstration of gold's role as a safe haven asset. Any uncertainty, especially those that could affect the independence of central banks or the stability of the economy , tends to increase the appeal of gold.

A year of two opposite halves

The year 2025 started like a dream for gold investors. From a price of about $2,600/ounce at the beginning of the year, the precious metal had a spectacular breakthrough, continuously breaking records and at one point surpassing the $3,400/ounce mark. The main driving force came from persistent inflation concerns and the need to find a safe “haven” for assets.

However, the party seemed to come to an end in April. The meteoric rise slowed, and the market entered a period that experts call “sideways.”

“I expect gold to continue to trade sideways until a new catalyst emerges,” said Brett Elliott, director of marketing at the American Precious Metals Exchange (APMEX). “Gold has been trading in a range of $3,180 to $3,440 since April. That range is narrowing and consolidating, but it needs a real push to move into the next phase.”

So where will that “push” come from? The answer that most markets are holding their breath waiting for lies in the Fed’s upcoming decision on interest rates.

After an impressive start to 2025, which took gold prices from $2,600 to new records above $3,400 an ounce, the precious metal has entered a sideways phase over the past few months (Photo: Getty).

Fed's interest rate path - the game-changer

Gold is a non-interest-bearing asset. This means that when interest rates rise, holding gold becomes less attractive than keeping money in a bank or investing in bonds that pay interest. Conversely, when interest rates fall, the opportunity cost of holding gold also decreases, making the precious metal more attractive to investors.

That’s why all eyes are on the Fed’s September policy meeting. According to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool, there is an 87% chance that the Fed will cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points at its September policy meeting.

"The main driver that could push gold prices higher between now and the end of the year is the expectation that the Fed will cut interest rates," said Chris Mancini, portfolio manager at Gabelli Gold Fund.

All eyes are now on Friday's report on the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge. Economists expect the index to have risen 2.6% in July, unchanged from June. That figure, while still above the Fed's 2% target, is not seen as hot enough to stop the Fed from taking action.

"I think it would take an extremely high inflation number to cause the Fed to delay a rate cut," commented Jim Wyckoff, senior analyst at Kitco Metals.

If the PCE data comes in as expected or comes in lower, it will further bolster the case that the Fed will ease monetary policy soon, and that will be the “kick” the gold market has been waiting for.

2 scenarios for the future: $4,000 or $3,200?

With the current variables, experts have outlined two main scenarios for gold prices from now until the end of the year.

Optimistic scenario: Conquering the $4,000/ounce mark

This is the scenario many analysts are aiming for, with the prerequisite that the Fed cuts interest rates as expected.

“In an optimistic scenario, I think gold could reach around $4,000 an ounce by year-end,” Joshua Barone, a wealth manager at Savvy Wealth, predicted, explaining that this scenario combines falling real interest rates, a looser Fed, a weaker dollar, and rising geopolitical risks.

Notably, JP Morgan Research also forecasts that gold prices will reach $3,675/ounce by the end of 2025 and could reach $4,000/ounce in the second quarter of 2026.

Mr. Barone also made a profound observation, edited for clarity: “Gold doesn’t necessarily need a crisis to rise in value, it just needs real money to become cheaper.” In other words, when interest rates are lower than inflation, the purchasing power of paper money decreases, and investors automatically turn to gold as a store of value.

In addition, geopolitical uncertainty remains a trump card. “If there is a new crisis this fall, money could flow back into gold and push prices up,” noted APMEX’s Elliott.

Pessimistic scenario: Return to $3,200/ounce

Of course, nothing is certain. There are still factors that can drag gold prices down.

“In a pessimistic scenario, gold prices could return to around $3,200 an ounce by year-end,” Barone said. This scenario would occur if: inflation proves more stubborn than expected, forcing the Fed to keep interest rates high longer, the US dollar strengthens, and long-term bond yields remain high.

Mr. Mancini also agreed: “If the US economy recovers strongly, the job market is vibrant and inflation cools convincingly, those are factors that can cause gold prices to fall.”

Gold prices in the coming months will depend heavily on the Fed’s interest rate. Gold does not generate interest, so when interest rates rise, it loses its appeal, but when interest rates fall, gold shines again in the eyes of investors (Illustration: Discovery Alert).

Overall, the gold market is in a delicate balance. Prices could break out if the Fed does give the green light for further monetary easing, but could also face pressure if economic data paints a too-bright picture.

For investors considering gold, this is a time to take a hard look at their goals and strategies. Physical gold, such as gold bars and coins, remains a solid store of value, but comes with storage costs and is less liquid than financial instruments.

There are also more accessible forms of gold investing, such as stocks of gold mining companies, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or futures contracts. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Regardless of which path you choose, diversification is key. Gold has been and will always be an important pillar of any portfolio, but a sensible strategy that doesn’t put all your eggs in one basket is key to successfully navigating the volatile fall ahead.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/vang-nin-tho-giua-con-song-ngam-lai-suat-va-kich-tinh-tai-fed-20250828231634070.htm