Gold rallies to fresh highs on geopolitical risks and dovish Fed expectations

LONDON (December 22) Gold (XAU/USD) surges to fresh record highs on Monday, as escalating geopolitical tensions bolster safe-haven demand. At the time of writing, XAU/USD is trading around $4,413, up about 1.70% on the day, after breaking above the October 21 peak near $4,381.

The precious metal is on track for its strongest annual performance since 1979, with prices up nearly 67% year to date. The rally has been fuelled by a dovish Federal Reserve (Fed) stance, broadly weaker US Dollar (USD), sustained central-bank buying, and record inflows into Gold-backed ETFs.

Looking ahead, markets continue to anticipate further monetary policy easing by the Fed into 2026, as recent data indicate cooling inflationary pressure and a softer US labor market. A lower interest-rate environment typically supports non-yielding assets such as Gold.

As markets drift toward the year-end and liquidity thins with major data releases largely drying up, Gold may consolidate in the near term or see mild profit-taking after the recent surge before attempting another push into uncharted territory.

However, a handful of US economic releases on Tuesday may still provide short-term direction, with attention on the ADP Employment Change four-week average, the delayed preliminary Q3 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report, Durable Goods Orders, Industrial Production, and Consumer Confidence.

Market movers: Rising geopolitical tensions and Fed signals keep markets cautious

• On the geopolitical front, renewed Iran-Israel tensions are reinforcing risk-off sentiment. Reports suggest Iran may use large-scale military drills as a potential cover for offensive operations. Israeli officials have also warned that Tehran may be reconstituting nuclear enrichment facilities previously targeted by US strikes in June. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to brief US President Donald Trump on possible options to strike Iran’s missile program again.
• Tensions between the US and Venezuela have also escalated sharply. US forces have intercepted and pursued another oil tanker near Venezuelan waters after seizing two tankers last week. The latest action follows an order by President Donald Trump to impose a blockade on sanctioned Oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
• US led Ukraine peace talks showed mixed progress over the weekend amid ongoing conflict. US, European, Ukrainian, and Russian envoys held discussions in Miami, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff describing the talks as “productive and constructive,” particularly around the development of a 20-point peace plan and potential security guarantees for Kyiv. Still, no major breakthrough emerged, as Moscow continues to hold firm on territorial demands.
• On the monetary policy front, Markets are currently pricing in two Fed rate cuts in 2026. However, Fed officials remain divided on the need for additional monetary easing following cumulative cuts of 75 basis points (bps) this year. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, a future 2026 FOMC voter, signaled in a Wall Street Journal interview that she sees no need to adjust interest rates for several months ahead, arguing that inflation remains a key concern even after recent easing moves and suggesting the central bank could hold the policy rate in its current 3.50%-3.75% range into the spring.
• A softer US Dollar is providing additional tailwind by making the metal cheaper for overseas buyers. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback's value against a basket of six major currencies, trades around 98.46, easing after climbing to a one-week high on Friday.

FXStreet