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Gold prices has been under pressure as stronger-than-expected US jobs data revived expectations of higher interest rates, while investors turned their attention to a crucial set of inflation readings due from the world's largest economy this week. The latest labour market data has complicated expectations around the Federal Reserve's policy path, with the improvement in US employment keeping the possibility of a rate increase this month on the table. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices continue to provide an opposing force for bullion by supporting safe-haven and inflation-hedge demand. On Monday, Spot gold was down 0.7% at $4,398.13 per ounce as of 0710 GMT, after falling 1% on Friday. US gold futures for December delivery were also down 0.7% at $4,443.60. Spot silver eased 1% to $65.53 per ounce. Back home, MCX gold was trading below ₹1,52,500 per 10 grams, while international spot gold had slipped nearly 1% to around $4,400 an ounce. MCX silver had also moved below ₹2,37,500 per kg, tracking a similar decline in international spot silver to around $66 an ounce. The US labour market data showed that nonfarm payrolls increased by 162,000 in August, nearly three times the Street's forecast of around 53,000. This represented the strongest monthly gain since March. The unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, exactly as expected, while average hourly earnings increased 3.1% year-on-year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised June and July payrolls higher by a combined 55,000, further reinforcing the picture of a resilient US labour market. The near-term direction of precious metals is likely to depend on how investors balance expectations for interest rates against geopolitical and inflationary risks. US economic data, particularly inflation figures, could therefore determine whether the recent decline develops into a deeper correction or remains a temporary pause. Ashish Rajodiya, Commodity Research Analyst at PL Capital, noted that the stronger employment reading pushed market-implied odds of a September Fed rate hike to around 59-60%, compared with about 50% before the report. It also gave the dollar a brief bounce from its recent two-week low, although the broader dollar trend for 2026 has remained on the softer side. Higher expectations of a rate hike and a firmer near-term dollar increased the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold and silver, added to the pressure on both metals, added the expert. Despite the latest pullback, both gold and silver remain well above last week's lows in today's deals. According to Rajodiya, this points towards a pause in the broader uptrend rather than a genuine reversal. Physical and investment demand for gold has remained resilient through the correction, while silver continues to outperform gold on a relative basis, supported by steady industrial offtake. Meanwhile, Rajeev Sharan, Head of Research at Brickwork Ratings, expects gold prices to remain under pressure over the next two weeks. He pointed to healthy FCNR(B) deposit inflows as one factor that has helped the rupee remain strong, with a stronger rupee generally keeping domestic gold prices in check even when global gold prices remain stable. The bigger trigger, according to Sharan, is the Federal Reserve's September 16 rate decision. Following Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish tone at Jackson Hole, the market is now almost evenly divided on whether the Fed will increase rates by a quarter point or keep them at the current 3.50% to 3.75%. “Gold prices are likely to stay under pressure over the next two weeks, with the September 16 Fed decision a key trigger. Any hike, or even a hawkish hold, could lift Treasury yields and make non-yielding gold less attractive.” — Rajeev Sharan, Head of Research, Brickwork Ratings Sharan said either a rate hike or a hawkish hold could push US Treasury yields higher and attract money towards safer, higher-paying bonds. Since gold does not pay interest, higher yields could make the precious metal comparatively less attractive. However, he also indicated that a softer signal from the Federal Reserve could quickly change the outlook. For investors, the immediate outlook will be shaped not only by macroeconomic developments but also by important technical price levels. Gold's ability to defend support and overcome resistance could provide clues about whether the current weakness represents a temporary correction or a more significant shift in momentum. Renisha Chainani, Chief Research Officer (CRO) at Augmont noted that technically, gold's inability to sustain gains above $4,540, even against a genuinely dovish backdrop in the middle of last week, indicates that sellers remain willing to emerge when prices rise. The key resistance zone on the upside is $4,490-$4,535, while $4,330 is the level that needs to hold on the downside. Moreover, she added that silver's relative strength means $68-$69 remains in play if another risk-off episode emerges, while $63-$64 represents the first significant support zone if market sentiment deteriorates. For the domestic market, MCX gold has support at ₹1,49,000- ₹1,47,000, while resistance is placed at ₹1,55,500- ₹1,57,100. MCX silver has support at ₹2,31,000- ₹2,27,000 and resistance at ₹2,43,000- ₹2,46,000, predicted Rajodiya. Rajodiya added that the next important triggers would come from the US economic data calendar, with both PPI and CPI scheduled ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting later this month. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions. Pranati Deva is a seasoned financial journalist with over a decade of experience in high-pressure newsroom environments, currently working as a Senior Sub Editor at LiveMint. Over the years, she has developed a reputation for sharp editorial judgement, a strong grasp of market dynamics, and the ability to translate complex financial developments into clear, engaging stories for a wide audience. <br><br> Her core areas of coverage include stock markets, leading listed companies, currencies, and commodities, with a particular strength in fast-paced, real-time market reporting. She is known for handling breaking market news, earnings-driven stock movements, and macroeconomic developments with speed, accuracy, and context—qualities that are essential in financial journalism. <br><br> Pranati has built a diverse and credible professional track record across some of India’s most respected news organisations, including MintGenie, CNBC-TV18, Business Standard and EconomicTimes.com. During her stints at these platforms, she produced data-driven market stories, curated and steered live blogs during volatile trading sessions, and conducted interviews with market veterans, fund managers, economists, and industry experts. Her work often combines on-ground reporting with analytical depth, helping readers make sense of daily market fluctuations and longer-term trends. An alumnus of the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications and Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Pranati brings a strong academic foundation to her journalism. She specialises in real-time financial reporting, with a keen focus on precision, balance, and insight, aiming to decode market movements in a way that is both informative and accessible to readers across experience levels. Catch all the Business News , Market News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates. Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.
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