Gold prices (XAU/USD) are attempting to regain composure after suffering their steepest decline in months, underscoring how fragile sentiment has become at historically elevated price levels. The precious metal slid more than 4% from last week’s all-time high near $4,555, marking its weakest performance in recent months, as thin liquidity conditions amplified profit-taking during Monday’s session. By Tuesday, however, gold was showing tentative signs of stabilization, holding above the psychologically important $4,300 handle as geopolitical tensions resurfaced and investors reassessed downside risks.

The abrupt sell-off followed a powerful rally that had propelled gold to record territory, fuelled by expectations of easier global monetary conditions, persistent geopolitical uncertainty and strong demand for safe-haven assets. Yet the absence of deep liquidity, combined with overstretched technical conditions, left the market vulnerable to a sharp correction once momentum faltered. In my view, the magnitude of the pullback reflects not a fundamental shift against gold, but rather a classic reset after an overheated move.

Geopolitics remain a central pillar of support. Late Monday, Moscow announced it would reassess its position on peace negotiations with Ukraine after claiming that President Vladimir Putin’s residence had been targeted in an attack. The allegation, which Kyiv has denied, injected fresh uncertainty into an already fragile diplomatic backdrop and quickly dampened the cautious optimism that had emerged following last weekend’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Any setback to peace prospects tends to reinforce gold’s appeal as a hedge against geopolitical risk, particularly at a time when broader markets are already on edge.

Tensions are also simmering in Asia, where China extended its military drills around Taiwan for a second consecutive day. The exercises have kept investors alert to the risk of miscalculation in the South China Sea, a region critical to global trade and supply chains. Adding another layer of uncertainty, President Trump warned that the United States could launch a new round of attacks on Iran should Tehran resume its nuclear weapons programme. The combination of flashpoints across Eastern Europe, East Asia and the Middle East reinforces the notion that geopolitical risk premiums are far from priced out, even after gold’s recent retreat.

Beyond geopolitics, markets are increasingly focused on U.S. monetary policy signals. Later on Tuesday, the Federal Reserve is set to release the minutes of its December policy meeting. While no immediate policy change is expected, investors will scrutinize the language for clues on how comfortable policymakers are with easing financial conditions and how they assess inflation risks. Any hint of a more cautious or divided Fed could support the U.S. dollar in the near term, potentially capping gold’s rebound. Conversely, confirmation that the Fed remains inclined toward eventual rate cuts would likely underpin bullion, especially after the recent correction has eased valuation concerns.

From a technical perspective, gold’s structure has weakened but not collapsed. On the four-hour chart, XAU/USD was trading around $4,372 after rebounding from Monday’s lows near $4,300. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram remains below the zero line, signalling that bearish momentum is still present, but the steady contraction from deeply negative readings suggests that selling pressure is losing intensity. Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 38.93, still below the neutral 50 level but recovering from oversold territory, an early sign that downside momentum may be stabilizing.

The break below the ascending trendline drawn from mid-December lows, now intersecting around $4,450, represents a notable technical setback. This level, together with the December 22 and December 24 lows at $4,430 and $4,448 respectively, forms a dense resistance zone that is likely to challenge any near-term recovery attempts. As long as gold remains capped below this region, the path back to the record high near $4,555 appears difficult.

BUY GOLD

ENTRY PRICE: 4380

STOP LOSS: 4290

TAKE PROFIT: 4555

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US crude oil prices pushed higher on Tuesday, trading around $58.20 per barrel at the time of writing, up roughly 0.9% on the day, as markets reassessed geopolitical risks and their implications for global energy supply. The advance extends a broader short-term recovery in crude, driven less by demand optimism and more by a renewed sense of fragility in the global political landscape.

Oil markets are once again leaning into risk aversion, with expectations for a swift diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine continuing to erode. Recent US-led discussions have failed to deliver a meaningful breakthrough, particularly on the most contentious territorial issues, reinforcing the view that the conflict could remain a structural source of uncertainty for commodity markets well into the future. According to reporting by Reuters, Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack targeting a presidential residence inside Russian territory—an allegation Kyiv has firmly denied. Regardless of the veracity of the claims, the escalation in rhetoric underscores the increasingly brittle state of diplomacy and keeps investors wary of potential spillover effects on energy infrastructure, logistics, and trade routes.

This deterioration in the geopolitical backdrop has encouraged traders to reprice the probability of supply disruptions, lending near-term support to WTI and the broader oil complex. While Russian crude continues to find its way into global markets through alternative channels, any intensification of the conflict raises the risk of tighter enforcement, operational disruptions, or retaliatory measures that could reduce effective supply. In this context, oil’s rally appears less speculative and more insurance-driven, reflecting the market’s need to rebuild a geopolitical risk premium that had thinned during periods of relative calm.

Tensions are not confined to Eastern Europe. Fresh comments from US President Donald Trump have revived concerns over stability in the Middle East, after he warned of possible military action against Iran should certain strategic programs be restarted. The remarks, while hypothetical, are enough to remind markets how quickly sentiment can shift in a region that remains central to global oil supply. With key shipping lanes and major producers concentrated in the Middle East, even verbal escalations tend to amplify price sensitivity, reinforcing crude’s role as a geopolitical barometer.

That said, the upside in oil prices is not without constraints. Structural supply concerns continue to loom large, particularly as demand growth remains uneven across regions. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) has confirmed a modest production increase of 137,000 barrels per day starting in December, a move that signals confidence in market balance but also revives fears of oversupply should global consumption soften. For now, the increase is relatively small, yet it serves as a reminder that producers are gradually easing restraint, potentially limiting the longevity of any geopolitically driven rally.

Investors are also bracing for fresh signals from the US inventory cycle. Attention turns to the weekly crude oil stockpile report from the American Petroleum Institute (API) due later in the day, which could provide near-term direction. A larger-than-expected build would reinforce concerns about sluggish demand and cap gains, while a drawdown could validate the recent price rebound and encourage further buying interest.

From a technical perspective, crude oil’s latest advance appears constructive. Prices have registered strong intraday gains while holding firmly above the 50-period exponential moving average (EMA50), reinforcing the dominance of the short-term bullish trend. Trading continues to align with an ascending trend line, suggesting that buyers remain in control despite recent volatility. Importantly, the latest leg higher followed a cooling-off phase in momentum indicators, as overbought conditions on the Relative Strength Index were gradually unwound. The emergence of positive overlapping signals from momentum studies now points to renewed upside traction, increasing the probability of further gains as long as key support levels hold.

BUY WTI

ENTRY PRRICE: 58.30

STOP LOSS: 57.50

TAKE PROFIT: 61.00

Canada's economy contracted in October, with real GDP falling 0.3% month-over-month, in line with expectations. The slowdown was widespread, with 11 out of 20 industrial sectors recording declines, highlighting the overall weakness in the economy.

The goods-producing sector was the main drag, falling 0.7% month-over-month with most components weakening. Manufacturing led the decline, heightening concerns that persistent external demand pressures and tightening financial conditions continue to weigh on Canada's industrial base. The service sector also dipped 0.2%, partly due to labor strikes disrupting production activities across multiple sectors.

Looking ahead, early signs suggest the economy will stabilize moderately. According to minutes released last Tuesday, the Bank of Canada's Governing Council unanimously agreed that it was difficult to predict whether the next interest rate move would be an increase or a decrease ahead of the December 10 rate decision. The seven-member rate-setting committee concluded that two key factors were the unpredictability of U.S. trade policy and the recent volatility in economic data.

At the December meeting, committee members agreed to maintain the interest rate at 2.25%, judging that this level is appropriate to keep inflation near the central bank's 2% target given the current economic outlook broadly aligning with expectations. The Bank of Canada stated it stands ready to act again if necessary, whether to curb price increases or bolster a weakening economy. Money markets predict the Bank of Canada's next move will be a 25-basis-point rate hike, potentially as early as October 2026.

The meeting minutes also indicate that the Management Committee views the 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement as a “significant risk,” with the uncertainty surrounding its outcome potentially dampening business investment.

The USDCAD is currently forming a bullish pattern, characterized by an exceptionally long final arm. As the pattern nears completion, price action has become notably extreme. Additionally, the 1.618XA extension has been tested, and the BC extension warrants close attention, particularly as it aligns with the lowest price within the PRZ. These factors collectively suggest an impending reversal. The near-term target is the starting point of the recent series of sell-offs.

Trading Direction: Buy

Entry Price: 1.3679

Target Price: 1.3953

Stop Loss: 1.3570

Valid Until: January 14, 2026 23:55:00

Support: 1.3682, 1.3642, 1.3609

Resistance: 1.3806, 1.3872, 1.3953

Silver prices have faced headwinds following the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's (CME) decision to hike margin requirements for silver futures. Leveraged traders were compelled to reduce their holdings when prices were in technically overbought territory. Analysts pointed out that the ongoing correction is a result of position unwinding, rather than a decline in fundamental demand.

Despite short-term price fluctuations, structural supply constraints and robust industrial demand—particularly from the solar energy, electronics, and data center sectors—continue to underpin silver prices. Additionally, a surge in speculative demand from China has driven silver prices higher, with the premium on silver futures traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange hitting an all-time high. These elevated premiums signal strong domestic demand in China, tightening global supply chains and echoing the earlier inventory shortages in London and New York vaults.

Safe-haven demand for silver remains strong amid lingering geopolitical risks. The prospect of an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict was clouded again following the alleged attack on President Putin's official residence. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's air strikes on Yemen and Iran's declaration of "all-out war" against the US, Europe, and Israel have heightened fears of broader regional instability. Trump warned that the US would take further military action if Iran resumes its nuclear program.

Expectations of Fed rate cuts and political uncertainty have weighed on the US dollar. Currently, traders and investors are closely monitoring the Fed's moves, awaiting signals on when and how it will cut rates going forward. The market is pricing in at least two rate cuts in 2026, but most expect no major moves before June. The Fed itself projects just one rate cut next year, yet significant divisions within the central bank have left market participants highly uncertain about the next steps in US monetary policy.

In addition, traders are keeping a close eye on who President Donald Trump might nominate to succeed Jerome Powell as the next Fed Chair. Any news related to this appointment could further roil markets and trigger sharp swings in the US dollar, either upward or downward.

Looking ahead, traders will focus on US economic indicators, Fed rhetoric, and political developments. All these factors are likely to exert a significant impact on the US dollar's performance in early 2026. If the market gains greater clarity on the path of interest rates or the next Fed Chair, we may see considerable short-term volatility in the US dollar.

On the 1-hour chart, the Bollinger Bands have contracted, with moving averages flattening out. Prices are oscillating along the middle band. Following a bullish MACD crossover, the fast and slow lines have pulled back toward the zero line, indicating an imminent trend reversal. The RSI stands at 49, suggesting that market participants are adopting a wait-and-see stance. Immediate resistance is located near the upper Bollinger Band around the 77 level.

On the 4-hour chart, the Bollinger Bands have narrowed, with moving averages trading sideways. Prices have moved back above the EMA12. A sustained break above the EMA12 could see silver challenging the upper Bollinger Band. Conversely, a failure to hold above this level may trigger a pullback toward the EMA50 around 70 and the lower Bollinger Band near 67.5. The RSI is at 55, placing the market in a neutral zone. From a short-term perspective, lower highs have been forming, indicating a high probability of further correction.

Therefore, it is advisable to go short first, then long in the near term.

Trade Direction: Sell

Entry Price: 75

Target Price: 60

Stop Loss: 86

Support: 65/60/56

Resistance Levels: 70/75/80

Gold prices diverged at high levels during yesterday's session. In early trading, prices held firm at elevated levels, buoyed by sustained bets on the Fed's future rate-cut path as well as expectations of central bank and physical buying. However, gold subsequently retreated under the combined impact of exchange-level risk management moves and a short-term rebound in the US dollar.

The market's pricing of the Fed's 2026 rate cuts remains the core macro driver for gold: as long as the market expects the rate-cut cycle to persist, the decline in real interest rates will continue to boost gold's appeal. Conversely, any signal hinting at a slower pace of rate cuts will quickly curb gold prices.

Meanwhile, sudden changes in liquidity conditions and trading mechanisms amplified intraday volatility. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) recently raised margin requirements for precious metals futures to address extreme volatility. This move immediately squeezed leveraged capital and high-frequency positions after the market opened, triggering a rapid pullback in gold, silver and other precious metals futures. It was one of the direct triggers for yesterday's intraday decline.

In terms of capital flows: although gold ETFs have recorded continuous net inflows so far this year and central bank purchases remain robust (forming solid medium-to-long-term support), institutions were forced to adjust positions in the short term under the dual pressure of thin liquidity during the holiday window and margin hikes. This triggered a volume-light pullback, or a technical correction characterized by "rallying and then falling back". Monthly and quarterly flows of global gold ETFs still point to a solid bullish foundation, though short-term capital flows can reverse in an instant.

On the daily chart, gold opened higher but moved lower yesterday, with bears dominating intraday trading, leading to a single-day drop of over $200. Nevertheless, from the perspective of the overall trend, the moving average system still maintains a bullish alignment, indicating that the medium-to-long-term trend remains upward.

On the 4-hour chart, affected by the sentiment of yesterday's sharp decline, gold is experiencing a weak rebound intraday. There is a possibility of a secondary downward test in the short term. Traders should watch the primary support zone around 4300-4290 below and the immediate resistance range of 4400-4415 above.

Trade Direction: Sell

Entry Price: 4395.00

Target Price: 4295.00

Stop Loss: 4450.00

Valid Until: 13 January, 2026, 23:00:00

Support: 4300.00/4290.00

Resistance Levels: 4400.00/4415.00

For Canada, economic performance in 2025 can be described as "stable but with concerns." Although trade tensions with the United States were once seen as a potential trigger for recession, GDP still maintained positive growth, albeit slowing noticeably toward year-end. The labor market remained resilient, with unemployment steady around 6.5%, yet this level remains above historical averages, reflecting that underlying pressures have not dissipated. Entering 2026, new risks are gradually emerging, most notably in trade, financial markets, and employment prospects. Trade uncertainty is expected to remain a significant drag on the Canadian economy. The Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will undergo review in July 2026, a process itself likely to dampen corporate investment appetite. While most U.S. industry groups favor retaining the agreement, the current review mechanism grants the U.S. considerable negotiating leverage, making the prospect of smooth continuation until 2036 uncertain. The U.S. has made clear its focus on issues such as Canada's dairy supply management system and the Online Streaming Act, which could become friction points in negotiations. Currently, about 90% of Canadian exports to the U.S. enjoy tariff exemptions under rules of origin; if negotiations deteriorate or the agreement collapses, Canadian exporters could face rising tariffs. This uncertainty may continue to suppress investment and growth expectations until talks conclude. Meanwhile, rapid global expansion of AI investment also poses indirect but inevitable financial risks for Canada. As large tech firms increase spending on AI infrastructure, their debt levels rise significantly, sparking market concerns over potential asset bubbles. If these companies fail to meet return expectations, stock prices and financing conditions could deteriorate quickly. The Bank of Canada has warned that if U.S. markets substantially reprice AI prospects, triggering equity adjustments, negative effects could spill over into Canada via financial and confidence channels. Recent notable pullbacks in some tech stocks from their highs also indicate that excessive optimism toward AI is cooling.

Investors will closely watch the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) for the latest clues on the monetary policy outlook. At its most recent meeting, the Fed cut rates for the third consecutive time by 25 basis points, lowering the target range to 3.50%–3.75%. The Fed also signaled it will only cut rates once in 2026. Nomura economists noted that although 2025 growth was clearly weighed down by trade and immigration policies, overall resilience remained, and these headwinds are now easing, while fiscal and monetary policy are shifting toward more stimulative stances. At the same time, the U.S. economy still faces multiple risks, including a weakening labor market, persistently high inflation, and internal rifts over policy priorities. In addition, President Trump is set to appoint a new Fed chair to replace Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May. Markets widely expect the new chair to favor pushing for rate cuts. This year, the U.S. job market has gradually cooled, with monthly job additions significantly lower than a year ago and the unemployment rate edging up. These changes prompted Fed policymakers to unanimously support a series of rate cuts toward year-end. November's unemployment rate was 4.6%, but economists note possible distortions due to limited data collection during the government shutdown. Stubbornly high inflation may still constrain room for further cuts. Although Q3 inflation came in well below expectations, economists believe this may underestimate actual price pressures, and it will take months to confirm whether goods inflation driven by tariffs fades as policymakers anticipate. Consumer concern over the labor market is rising. The Conference Board's latest data show consumer sentiment on the job market has deteriorated to its lowest since early 2021. This trend leads some economists to expect households may choose to save rather than spend extra income from tax reforms.

Based on the daily chart, USD/CAD has broken below the EMA200 and is oscillating lower along the EMA12, with MACD and signal lines crossing below the zero axis, indicating entry into a bearish trend. However, a bullish engulfing pattern has emerged, breaking out of the descending channel, suggesting a short-term rebound may occur. MACD is close to forming a golden cross, RSI at 29 signals oversold territory: meaning the downtrend is still valid, but a rebound could happen at any time. In the 4-hour chart, Bollinger Bands are narrowing, moving averages are converging, and downward momentum is gradually weakening. After a golden cross, the MACD and signal lines are retracing toward the zero axis but remain far from it, confirming that the rebound is incomplete. Resistance lies near EMA50 and EMA200 at approximately 1.372 and 1.384, respectively. RSI at 44 reflects prevailing pessimism. Therefore, it is recommended to buy now and sell later.

Trade Direction: Buy

Entry Price: 1.368

Target Price: 1.42

Stop Loss: 1.35

Support: 1.36/1.357/1.35

Resistance: 1.414/1.42/1.44