Gold Price Targets: XAU/USD Still Vulnerable into FOMC- GLD Levels

2019-09-18 18:32:00 Michael Boutros, Strategist

Gold prices holding near-term downtrend formation– risk remains while below1522/26
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Gold prices are in consolidation with the recent price rally still at risk while below near-term downtrend resistance. These are the updated targets and invalidation levels that matter on the XAU/USD charts this week. Review my latestWeekly Strategy Webinar for an in-depth breakdown of this Euro price setup and more.

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Gold Price Chart - XAU/USD Daily

Chart Prepared by Michael Boutros, Technical Strategist; Gold on Tradingview

Technical Outlook: In my latest Gold Price Outlook we noted that XAU/USD was approaching a key resistance pivot and, “the risk remains for a deeper correction here while below this level.” The threshold in focus remains the 1522/26 confluence zone where the late-2011 & 2012 lows converge on the monthly open. Look for a reaction into this region IF reached with the broader advance vulnerable while below. Key daily support steady at the August swing-low / 50% retracement at 1479/80 – a break / close below is needed to suggest a more significant high was registered this month.

Gold Price Chart - XAU/USD 120min

Notes: A closer look at gold price action shows XAU/USD trading within the confines of a well-defined descending pitchfork formation we’ve been tracking off August / September highs. Price has carved out an embedded near-term consolidation formation after rebounding off the lower parallel last week.

Initial resistance stands at 1511 backed by the highlighted trendline confluence around 1520- critical resistance / bearish invalidation steady at 1526. Initial support rests at 149/97 with a break below the weekly open at 1488 needed to mark resumption of the near-term downtrend targeting 1479 and the 61.8% retracement at 1460.

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Bottom line: The risk remains for further losses while within this formation with a break below weekly open support needed to fuel the next leg lower in price. From at trading standpoint, we’ll favor fading strength sub-1520. Ultimately a larger correction would offer more favorable long-entries closer to broader trend support. Review my latest Gold Price Weekly Outlook for a closer look at the longer-term XAU/USD technical trading levels.

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Gold Trader Sentiment - XAU/USD Price Chart

A summary of IG Client Sentiment shows traders are net-long Gold- the ratio stands at +2.29 (69.6% of traders are long) – bearishreading
Long positions are 2.3% higher than yesterday and 1.5% higher from last week
Short positions are1.6% higher than yesterday and 3.4% higher from last week
We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Spot Gold prices may continue to fall. Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current positioning and recent changes gives us a stronger Spot Gold-bearish contrarian trading bias from a sentiment standpoint.

See how shifts in Gold retail positioning are impacting trend- Learn more about sentiment!

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