Gold Price Forecast: No Progress from Bullish Setup
NEW YORK (April 24) Gold's price movement shows uncertainty as it approaches key resistance levels. A breakout triggered by a bullish pattern lacks convincing strength, while a bearish indication looms if the 20-Day MA becomes resistance.
There was little upside follow through on Wednesday, following a brief breakout above Tuesday’s hammer candlestick pattern. The high for the day was 2,337 and yesterday’s high was 2,334. Gold ended above the 20-Day MA on Tuesday following an earlier decline below it.
However, it is not yet clear where today’s close will be. Trading is happening around the 20-Day line at the time of this writing. A daily close below the line would be slightly bearish as it would be the first time the gold has closed below the line since the second half of February.
Watching for Further Signs
A bullish pattern breakout signal needs to have additional confirmation of strength following the breakout. Gold is already indicating that the hammer breakout is suspect given the relationship to the 20-Day MA. Also, the rise above yesterday’s high was minor and not convincing. It doesn’t show a clear improvement in demand. Further, notice that today’s high of 2,312 found resistance at a top channel line that had been part of a support zone until Monday’s sharp decline.
Tuesday’s Strength Needs Upside Follow Through
Tuesday’s low of 2,291 completed a 50% retracement level of the internal trend. The subsequent bullish hammer candlestick and daily close above the 20-Day line indicated that the retracement in gold may have completed. However, an upside breakout and subsequent additional signs of strength were needed.
The breakout has been triggered but there are not yet additional signs of strength. A daily close today above the 20-Day would be one sign, but minor. Then, another breakout above yesterday’s high followed by a daily close above it will provide additional confirmation.
20-Day MA is Key
Also, on the bearish side, a daily close below the 20-Day is a bearish indication. Further, today’s low of 2,312 could trigger short-term weakening as gold again approaches yesterday’s low of 2,291. If that low is broken to the downside, then a deeper correction is likely. The next lower target would be around the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the full swing that began from the February swing low. That price level is at 2,261 and includes the 61.8% retracement of the internal upswing at 2,255.
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