Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD Two-Week Plunge Puts August Breakout to the Test

Gold Technical Forecast: XAU/USD Weekly Trade Levels

Gold has reversed sharply from the August highs, with the two-week decline extending nearly 9%.
Bulls have defended support at the 2026 yearly open with the September range taking shape just above.
The August breakout remains technically viable for now, but bulls need to stabilize the current decline to preserve the broader recovery.
U.S. PPI and CPI headline next week’s event risk as markets reassess the outlook for Fed policy
Resistance 4493-4533, 4681, 4855/94 (key)- Support 4319, 4175 (key), 4018

Gold is attempting to stabilize after a sharp two-week decline reversed a large portion of the August advance. The pullback has brought XAU/USD back to an important inflection point, with the focus now on whether bulls can regain control and revive the broader recovery. Key U.S. inflation data next week could provide the catalyst for the next major directional move. Battle lines drawn on the XAU/USD weekly technical chart.

Review my latest Weekly Strategy Webinar for an in-depth breakdown of this gold setup and more. Join live on Monday’s at 8:30am EST.

Gold Price Chart – XAU/USD Weekly

Chart Prepared by Michael Boutros, Sr. Technical Strategist; XAU/USD on TradingView

Technical Outlook: In last month’s Gold Technical Forecast we noted that XAU/USD had, “broken out of a multi-week consolidation zone with the advance marking a close above the yearly moving average his week for the first time since June. From a trading standpoint, losses should be limited to 4175 IF gold is heading higher on this stretch.” A three-week rally exhausted into the 50% retracement of the March decline near 4681 (intraday high registered at 4603) with the subsequent pullback extending more than 8.8% off the high. The decline was halted this week near yearly open support at 4319 with the September opening range taking shape just above. The bulls will need to secure this decline to keep the August breakout viable in the weeks ahead.

Initial resistance is eyed back at the March low-week close / 2025 high close at 4492-4533 with a breach of the August high exposing the next major technical consideration at 4855/94. This key pivot zone is defined by the 61.8% retracement, the April high, and the record high-week close. A breach / weekly close above this threshold is needed to fuel the next leg of the advance. Subsequent resistance objectives eyed at the 100% extension at 5037 and the record high close at 5279.

A break below the yearly open exposes the 2026 low-week close at 4175. Former channel resistance converges on this level over the next few weeks and losses below this slope would invalidate the August breakout and threaten a retest of the low-close at 4018- look for a larger reaction there IF reached.

Bottom line: This is the first major test for the August breakout, and the bulls will need to secure this decline to stay in control. Although momentum has deteriorated, daily & weekly RSI remain in positive territory for now. Look for a breakout of the September opening range for guidance. From a trading standpoint, losses would need to be limited to 4175 IF gold is heading higher on this stretch with a breach above 4681 needed to fuel the next leg of the advance towards 4900.

Friday’s stronger-than-expected Non-Farm Payrolls report underscored the resilience of the U.S. labor market, shifting the focus squarely to the final inflation readings ahead of this month’s Fed rate decision. August PPI and CPI will be critical as markets remain divided on the central bank’s next move, with Fed funds futures currently pricing just a 58% probability of a 25-basis-point hike. A hotter-than-expected inflation report could tip expectations more decisively toward additional tightening, fueling another rise in Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar while increasing pressure on gold. Conversely, softer price data could temper rate-hike expectations and provide bullion with a more supportive backdrop heading into the Fed. Stay nimble into the releases and watch the weekly close for guidance. Review my latest Gold Short-term Outlook for a closer look at the near-term XAU/USD technical trade levels.

Key US Economic Data Releases

Economic Calendar - latest economic developments and upcoming event risk.

Active Weekly Technical Charts

--- Written by Michael Boutros, Senior Technical Strategist

Follow Michael on X @MBForex

From time to time, StoneX Financial Pty Ltd (“we”, “our”) website may contain links to other sites and/or resources provided by third parties. These links and/or resources are provided for your information only and we have no control over the contents of those materials, and in no way endorse their content. Any analysis, opinion, commentary or research-based material on our website is for information and educational purposes only and is not, in any circumstances, intended to be an offer, recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell. You should always seek independent advice as to your suitability to speculate in any related markets and your ability to assume the associated risks, if you are at all unsure. No representation or warranty is made, express or implied, that the materials on our website are complete or accurate. We are not under any obligation to update any such material.

As such, we (and/or our associated companies) will not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage incurred by you or any third party arising out of, or in connection with, any use of the information on our website (other than with regards to any duty or liability that we are unable to limit or exclude by law or under the applicable regulatory system) and any such liability is hereby expressly disclaimed.

FOREX.com is a trading name of StoneX Financial Pty Ltd.

The material provided herein is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

While every care has been taken in preparing this material, we do not provide any representation or warranty (express or implied) with respect to its completeness or accuracy. This is not an invitation or an offer to invest nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell investments.

StoneX recommends you to seek independent financial and legal advice before making any financial investment decision. Trading CFDs and FX on margin carries a higher level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The possibility exists that you could lose more than your initial investment and CFD investors do not own or have any rights to the underlying assets.

It is important you consider our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) available at www.forex.com/en-au/terms-and-policies/, before deciding to acquire or hold our products. As a part of our market risk management, we may take the opposite side of your trade. Our Target Market Determination (TMD) is also available at www.forex.com/en-au/terms-and-policies/.

StoneX Financial Pty Ltd, Suite 42.01, 264 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 (ACN 141 774 727, AFSL 345646) is the CFD issuer and our products are traded off exchange.

Delayed London Stock Exchange (LSE) Data

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) market data displayed or referenced on this website is provided on a delayed basis and is not in real time. The delay period may vary but is typically at least 15 minutes. This data is intended for information purposes only and should not be relied upon for trading, investment, or other financial decisions. We do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the data for any particular purpose. Users should consult real-time data sources and obtain professional advice before making any financial decisions.