Where might gold and silver prices be headed?
NEW YORK (December 18) Year-to-date, the commodities market has seen some standout performance. Cocoa prices have surged by 180% to date, while precious metals like gold and silver have gained over 20%. The rally in precious metals has been fuelled by persistent geopolitical uncertainties, including conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and US-China trade relations, which have supported safe-haven flows. Notably, gold demand has been further supported by central banks—particularly in emerging markets such as China and India—actively diversifying their reserves to reduce reliance on the US dollar.
As 2024 enters its final two weeks, where might gold and silver prices be headed?
Source: Refinitiv, IG
Spot Silver: US$30.00 level as key support confluence to hold
Silver prices have exhibited a broader upward trend since March, characterised by a series of higher highs and higher lows. However, upward momentum has recently weakened, with the emergence of a minor head-and-shoulders pattern. This formation places the neckline at the critical US$30.00 level which serves as a key support line for buyers to defend. Notably, this level also aligns with a confluence of support from an ascending trendline and the 200-day moving average (MA).
A decisive break below the US$30.00 level could open the door to a deeper pullback, potentially targeting US$27.80 as the next support. Conversely, holding above US$30.00 would likely reinforce the broader bullish trend, positioning buyers to aim for the next resistance at US$32.55, followed by its decade-high at the US$34.87 level.
Source: IG charts
Spot Gold: Resistance at US$2,720 level on close watch
The US$2,720 level has proven to be a critical resistance for gold prices, with the previous two interactions triggering significant short-term bearish reversals. A move above this level would serve as a strong bullish confirmation, potentially opening the door for a move above its October 2024 high.
The broader uptrend remains intact, supported by gold prices trading above the daily Ichimoku Cloud and its 100-day MA, creating a support confluence near the US$2,610 level.
However, a break below the US$2,610 level could signal a potential bearish reversal, opening the door for a deeper pullback toward the next support level at the US$2,531 level.
Source: IG charts
