Gold prices retreated in Asian trading on Thursday, snapping a three-session streak of record highs as easing geopolitical rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump and reassurance over Federal Reserve leadership cooled safe-haven demand. The pullback highlights how quickly sentiment can shift when political risk premiums fade, even as longer-term support for bullion remains intact.
Spot gold fell 0.8% to $4,588.55 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures edged down 0.3%. The move followed Wednesday’s peak at $4,642.72, the highest level on record. Investors who had piled into gold amid fears of Middle East instability and central bank turmoil used the calmer tone to lock in profits.
Gold Retreats After $4,642 Peak
Gold’s rally had been driven by concern that unrest in Iran could escalate into a broader conflict, potentially drawing in the United States and disrupting regional stability. That risk appeared to ease after Trump signaled a softer stance, saying he had received assurances that Iranian authorities would curb violence against protesters and that there was no plan for mass executions.
Those comments reduced the immediate likelihood of U.S. military involvement, trimming the geopolitical premium that had pushed gold sharply higher. As tensions cooled, other precious metals posted steeper losses, underscoring how crowded the safe-haven trade had become.
- Silver dropped nearly 6% to $87.74/oz
- Platinum slid about 4% to $2,309.52/oz
Trump Calms Iran, Geopolitical Premium Fades
Beyond geopolitics, markets also reacted to Trump’s effort to steady nerves around U.S. monetary policy. In an interview, he said he had no plans to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, despite ongoing scrutiny, easing fears about political interference at the central bank.
Concerns over Fed independence had fueled demand for gold as a hedge against policy uncertainty. With those worries temporarily dialed back, investors reassessed positions taken during the metal’s rapid climb, contributing to Thursday’s decline.
Rate Cuts, Central Banks Still Support Gold
Despite the setback, gold’s broader fundamentals remain supportive. Expectations for U.S. interest-rate cuts later this year continue to underpin prices, as lower yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing assets like gold. Central bank purchases have also provided a steady source of demand.
Key factors supporting gold prices include:
- Anticipation of easier U.S. monetary policy
- Ongoing, if uneven, geopolitical uncertainty
- Robust central bank buying across emerging markets
While short-term volatility is likely after such a sharp rally, gold’s pullback reflects cooling headlines rather than a collapse in conviction. For investors, the episode underscores how political signals and policy clarity can quickly reshape the trajectory of even the strongest markets.
