Gold shows a downtrend

Gold quotes settled at $1,855 per troy ounce, which is 11% lower than the maximum value reached on March 8, 2022 ($2,078 per ounce). 

Since the beginning of May, prices have fluctuated in the range of $1800 – $1870. Analysts note that this trend is the result of a temporary decrease in the degree of geopolitical tension in the world.

Economists predict that gold prices will average $1880 per ounce this year. At the same time, the main factor influencing the dynamics of precious metal prices will be the tightening of the monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve. And a further increase in the federal funds rate of the US Federal Reserve will help maintain the downward trend in gold quotes.

However, analysts do not rule out a trend reversal. This may happen in the event of a more serious deterioration in geopolitics than the market currently predicts.

It is worth noting that gold often acts as an important protective tool for developed countries. As a rule, wealthy EU citizens try to hedge the risks of financial market volatility and sharply increased inflation through investments in gold ETFs or bullion. Current interest rates are not very attractive and do not give Europeans the opportunity to protect their savings. Moreover, the EU countries are in close proximity to the military events in Ukraine, which also strengthens their motivation to invest in protective assets.

At the same time, the demand for gold in China has decreased. Severe coronavirus restrictions negatively affect the physical ability of the population to purchase precious metals. 

Summing up the above, it can be assumed that attempts to stabilize the world economy, tightening the DCP and reducing the influence of the geopolitical factor will lead to a gradual decline in gold prices. However, it is worth remembering that a sufficiently high level of uncertainty in the short-term prospects will currently keep prices from falling sharply.