Gold Holds $4,481 With Rate Hike Risk Rising. Here’s the NFP Decision Map.

Gold is holding near $4,481 with rate hike risk rising — a divergence that, in any prior rate cycle, would have already sent gold lower. Tomorrow’s May jobs report is the last major data point before Warsh’s first FOMC meeting June 16–17. Here’s the three-scenario decision map: what a hot print, an in-line print, and a soft miss each mean for gold — and why the Fed’s policy trap makes the structural case for sound money regardless of Friday’s number.

Gold Price Drops Below $3,350 on Strong U.S. Jobs Report

Gold price drops below $3,350 on Friday as new U.S. labor data revealed stronger-than-expected job growth in May. The Nonfarm Payrolls report showed 139,000 new jobs added, beating forecasts of 130,000. Although the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, the surprising job gains gave the U.S. Dollar a temporary lift. This eased pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates soon — typically a bullish factor for gold. However, earlier labor market data this week pointed to underlying weakness, leaving the broader policy outlook uncertain. Thursday’s phone call between Chinese and U.S. officials helped ease short-term fears of a […]