On Tuesday, gold prices dropped as traders opted to take profits after reaching unprecedented highs earlier in the day. Concerns regarding a potential US government shutdown, alongside heightened expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut, helped to cushion the losses.
The spot price of gold decreased by 0.7% to $3,805.99 per ounce, following a 1% increase that brought it to a record $3,871.45 during trading in Asia. So far in September, gold has surged by 10.5%, positioning it for its highest monthly percentage gain since July 2020.
Carlo Alberto De Casa, an external analyst at Swissquote, remarked that the reduction in gold prices is largely due to profit-taking after the earlier rise. He suggested that it’s merely a technical adjustment and not indicative of a trend reversal.
Discussions between US President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders at the White House regarding preventing a government shutdown have shown little advancement, which may lead to disruptions in various services as early as Wednesday.
According to De Casa, “The closure risk is favorable for gold as it introduces uncertainty and the Federal Reserve may lack clear data, with important information potentially delayed.”
The market anticipates an over 91% likelihood of a 25-basis-point interest rate cut during the Federal Reserve’s October meeting, as indicated by CME Group’s FedWatch tool. Investors are keenly awaiting upcoming US economic data, including Friday’s non-farm payroll report, for insights into the economy’s status.
The US Labor Department announced on Monday that its statistics agency would halt data releases, including the crucial employment report, if a partial government shutdown occurs.
UBS has projected that gold prices could reach as high as $4,200 per ounce by mid-2026 in its optimistic forecast, as mentioned in a report on Tuesday.
Gold is traditionally seen as a safe haven asset amid geopolitical and economic turbulence, thriving in low-interest rate conditions.
In the market, shares of Zijin Gold International from China surged 66% during their trading debut in Hong Kong, following a successful initial public offering (IPO) that raised $3.2 billion, marking the largest global IPO in 2025.
Additionally, spot silver decreased by 1.7% to $46.14 per ounce, although it has increased by 16.3% this month. Platinum saw a decline of 3.1% to $1,551.80, while palladium dropped 3% to $1,230.19.