Markets are still monitoring the fallout from US President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade agenda, which saw the S&P 500 enter into a correction last week before rebounding on Friday.
That rally bookended a week of drama, including the implementation of the US leader’s latest tariff threats, recession calls and geopolitical talks concerning Ukraine’s future.
The uncertain outlook and accompanying haven appetite has helped drive bullion 14% higher so far this year, extending the metal’s strong annual advance in 2024.
Banks are increasingly confident that further gains are in store, mapping out targets that would have seemed outlandish to many investors just a few quarters ago.
See also: Gold holds gains as Trump tax bill stokes US deficit concerns
Last week, Macquarie Group forecast prices would spike to US$3,500 an ounce in the second quarter, while BNP Paribas raised its outlook to show average prices well above US$3,000.
Elsewhere, investors will be monitoring a swathe of central bank meetings this week as Trump’s trade salvos test policymakers’ nerves.
In the US, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell faces a tricky task of both assuring investors the economy remains on solid footing and that policymakers are ready to step in with support.
Spot gold was trading up 0.2% to US$2,988.58 an ounce at 8.22am in Singapore, after advancing 2.6% last week. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was flat. Silver was little changed, while platinum and palladium eased lower.
