Brief Overview: Why is Gold Falling?

Gold prices (XAU/USD) have recorded a sharp decline, breaking two-week lows and closely testing the psychological mark of $4,000 per troy ounce. The metal has fallen in five of the last six sessions due to strong pressure from macroeconomic and geopolitical factors.

Key pressure factors:

• Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar: The Dollar Index (DXY) has soared to a 13-month high. Markets have sharply revised their expectations for US interest rates—the probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike in July or September is now assessed at 70%. High rates increase government bond yields and strip gold (which does not yield interest) of its investment appeal.
• De-escalation in the Middle East: Negotiations between the US and Iran have eased geopolitical panic. Investors are no longer seeking emergency refuge in safe-haven assets, leading to a significant outflow of capital from gold ETFs.
• Analyst Capitulation: Amid falling demand, Deutsche Bank has lowered its gold forecast for Q3 2026 by 22%—to $4,300 per ounce. Just in April, bank analysts confidently predicted $6,000 by the end of the year. Now they warn that if the Fed raises rates 3–4 times, gold could plummet to $3,800.

Forecast: Will We See $6,000 per Ounce in 2026–2027?

Answer: In 2026—no, in 2027—quite possibly.

The current tightening monetary cycle in the US has temporarily blocked the path to record highs. In the medium-term horizon, the market is divided into two phases:

1. 2026 Horizon (Bearish Trend): Due to a strong dollar and high rates, gold is trapped in a $3,800–$4,500 range. Even Goldman Sachs' optimistic forecast of $5,400 now seems unattainable. Until the end of the year, the market will merely be groping for a bottom.
2. 2027 Horizon (Bullish Comeback): Long-term growth triggers have not disappeared. Chronic increases in the US fiscal deficit, systemic dedollarization, and aggressive gold purchases by emerging market central banks remain in place. Once the Fed completes its rate hikes and shifts to easing, these factors will trigger a new powerful wave of growth capable of pushing the metal to $6,000 in the second half of 2027.