Gold Trades Near Records As Fed Cut Bets Mount Following Weak Jobs Data

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Gold maintained its position near historic highs on September 8, 2025, trading at $3,583.50 per ounce after declining $2.79 from the previous session.

The precious metal hovers just $16 below its all-time peak of $3,599.89 reached on September 5, supported by mounting expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts following disappointing employment data.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls increased by only 22,000 jobs in August, significantly below the 75,000 forecast. The unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent, marking its highest level since 2021.

These figures reinforced market perceptions that the labor market has stalled, with job growth showing minimal change since April 2025. Market participants now assign near-certainty to a 25 basis point rate cut at the Fed's September 17 meeting.

Fed futures pricing indicates a 100 percent probability of at least a quarter-point reduction, with 14 percent odds for a more aggressive 50 basis point cut. This represents a dramatic shift from market sentiment just weeks earlier.



The employment data revealed deeper underlying weakness than headline numbers suggested. The Labor Department revised earlier job figures downward, showing the economy actually lost 13,000 jobs in June, the first monthly decline since December 2020.

Long-term unemployment increased by 385,000 over the year, while the labor force participation rate declined to 62.3 percent. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold while simultaneously pressuring the dollar.

The Dollar Index fell to 97.70 following the jobs report, making gold more attractive for international investors. Gold has surged 37 percent year-to-date, building on a 27 percent gain in 2024.

Technical analysis of the attached daily chart reveals gold trading within an ascending channel pattern. The precious metal broke decisively above the $3,500 resistance level, which now serves as key support.

Moving averages show a clear upward trend with the 21-day, 50-day, and 200-day exponential moving averages all sloping higher beneath current prices.

The Relative Strength Index sits at 66, indicating momentum remains positive without reaching overbought conditions. Bollinger Bands have expanded, confirming the current trending environment.

Volume analysis shows institutional accumulation, with heavy trading during the recent breakout phases. The Global Liquidity Index, represented by the yellow line in the charts, reflects the current environment of abundant global liquidity.

This indicator measures money circulating through the global financial system and reached record highs in 2025. The U.S. M2 money supply hit an unprecedented $21.9 trillion in May 2025, while global liquidity experts project the cycle will peak around September 2025.

Central bank gold purchases continued providing structural support despite moderating from peak levels. China's central bank extended its buying streak to 10 consecutive months through August, while Poland led global purchases with 67 tonnes year-to-date.

Survey data indicates 95 percent of central banks plan to maintain or increase gold holdings over the next 12 months.

Gold exchange-traded funds attracted record inflows during 2025, with the first half seeing $38 billion in new investment, the largest since 2020.

The SPDR Gold Shares fund alone received $2.6 billion in August, reflecting institutional confidence in the metal's prospects. Trading volumes remain elevated across major gold markets.

The Shanghai Gold Exchange expanded daily trading limits from 12 to 13 percent for gold contracts, accommodating increased speculative activity.

London bullion market makers report unprecedented institutional demand, with several major banks raising year-end price targets to $4,000 per ounce. The precious metal faces immediate resistance at $3,600, a psychological level that aligns with futures contract resistance.

Additional resistance appears at $3,625-$3,650 based on Fibonacci extension analysis. Support levels exist at $3,565, with stronger backing near $3,508-$3,509 where the recent breakout occurred.

Gold's performance reflects broader concerns about Federal Reserve independence amid political pressure and uncertainty over monetary policy effectiveness.

The combination of weakening economic data, persistent geopolitical tensions, and abundant global liquidity creates a supportive backdrop for continued gains toward the $4,000 target cited by multiple analysts.

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