XAU/USD CFD Trading
XAU/USD is a pair that consists of so-called safe-haven assets, which makes its movement exciting. Interested? Start trading XAU/USD CFD with FXOpen today!
XAU/USD Live Charts
Use our XAU/USD chart to get the most up-to-date insight into the recent performance of this pair. It can help you make informed decisions at home or on the go – no matter if you use the TickTrader desktop platform, web terminal, or mobile app. Our real-time chart includes the very latest price, historical data, and technical analysis tools to help guide your next trade.
What Is XAU/USD CFD Trading?
XAU to USD trading refers to the trading of gold and the United States dollar.
XAU is the chemical symbol for gold, and it's the internationally recognised code used to
represent this metal in the financial markets. Gold is considered a precious metal and is often used
as a store of value and a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
USD represents the United States dollar, which is the world's primary reserve currency and the
most widely traded currency in the world.
When you see the XAU/USD pair, it tells you how much one troy ounce of gold is worth in US
dollars. If the exchange rate is 1,800, it means that one troy ounce of gold is equivalent to 1,800
US dollars.
At FXOpen, you can trade commodity CFDs
with leverage of up to 1:20, tight spreads, lightning-fast execution speeds, and deep liquidity.
XAU/USD Historical Performance
XAU/USD trading as we know it today took shape in the 1970s and 1980s when gold started to be
actively traded as a financial asset. Gold futures contracts were introduced, allowing traders
to speculate on the future price of this metal. The development of electronic trading platforms
further facilitated the trading of XAU/USD. Here are some crucial points of the XAU/USD price
history:
Until 2011, the price was moving in a strong uptrend. After a consolidation, the price
moved down in 2013, so a downtrend prevailed in the market until the beginning of 2016.
In early 2016, gold prices were trading around $1,050 per troy ounce. This period marked
the end of a multi-year downtrend. Factors such as concerns about global economic growth,
central bank policies (including low interest rates and quantitative easing), and geopolitical
tensions contributed to increased demand for gold as a so-called safe-haven asset.
By September 2017, the gold price reached around $1,300 per ounce. Geopolitical tensions,
including North Korea's nuclear tests and a weaker US dollar, were some of the drivers behind
this rise.
Gold prices faced headwinds in 2018, as the US Federal Reserve was raising interest rates,
making the US dollar stronger. In 2019, it regained its strength driven by concerns over a
global economic slowdown, trade tensions between the US and China, and central banks around the
world adopting more dovish monetary policies. By September 2019, gold prices had surged above
$1,500 per ounce.
Gold experienced significant price movements in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19
pandemic. As global markets experienced extreme volatility and uncertainty, investors turned to
gold as it’s believed to be a safe-haven asset. Gold prices hit a new high in August 2020,
surpassing $2,000 per troy ounce. The weakening US dollar and unprecedented stimulus measures by
central banks also contributed to this surge. Gold managed to keep its strong position against
the USD until the middle of 2023.
Major Factors That Affect the XAU/USD Pair
The major factor that affects the pair is the physical supply and demand for gold, including
factors like mining production and jewellery sales. However, these factors often have a more
gradual and long-term impact.
If you consider short-term XAU/USD forecasts, you can pay attention to the strength or
weakness of the US dollar. When the USD strengthens, the price of gold, which is denominated in
dollars, tends to fall, and vice versa. The dollar's strength can be influenced by economic
data, interest rates, and monetary policy.
Economic conditions, both in the United States and globally, play a significant role in
XAU/USD price movements. Economic data such as GDP growth, unemployment rates, and consumer
sentiment can impact investor sentiment and the demand for gold as a so-called safe-haven asset.
Political instability, conflicts, and trade tensions can lead to increased demand for gold
as market participants believe it to be a safe-haven asset. Geopolitical events often lead
investors to seek assets that are considered less risky, which can drive up the price of gold.
Gold is often used for hedging against inflation. When there are concerns about rising
inflation, investors may turn to gold to protect their purchasing power, causing gold prices to
rise.
The prices of other commodities, such as oil and industrial metals, can also affect the
XAU/USD pair. Gold often moves in the opposite direction of commodities that are heavily used in
manufacturing and construction.