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.