Gold tops $4,650 as weaker dollar and Iran peace hopes lift precious metals
The confluence of a weaker dollar, retreating oil prices and ceasefire optimism has created a near-ideal short-term environment for gold, but the rally carries an inherent fragility: any re-escalation between the US and Iran could trigger rapid profit-taking and force short-term speculators to unwind net long positions quickly.
The relationship between oil and gold remains the central dynamic to watch. Easing crude prices reduce the inflation premium that had been supporting the higher-for-longer rate narrative, which in turn diminishes one of gold’s structural headwinds. However, if peace talks stall or the Hormuz situation deteriorates again, oil could reverse sharply, dragging the macro backdrop back toward the more complex trade-off between gold as an inflation hedge and the appeal of yield-bearing assets in a high-rate environment. Non-farm payrolls later this week will be the next major test, with a resilient labour market reinforcing the Fed hold case and a soft print potentially reviving rate cut expectations, either of which could materially shift the gold trajectory.
Summary:
- Spot gold rose more than 1% to around $4,650 per ounce, supported by a weaker US dollar and reduced geopolitical risk premium, according to market data
- President Trump said he would briefly pause the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran, per reports
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Operation Epic Fury was concluded and that the fragile ceasefire with Iran remained intact despite skirmishes earlier in the week, according to reports
- The US dollar and crude oil prices eased on peace deal optimism, with a weaker dollar making dollar-priced metals cheaper for holders of other currencies, per market reports
- Spot silver rose 2.7% to $75.75 per ounce, according to market data
- Investors are awaiting US non-farm payrolls later in the week, which will test labour market resilience and its implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy, per reports
Main article:
Gold prices climbed more than 1% on Wednesday, with spot bullion rising to around $4,650 per ounce, as a weakening US dollar and growing hopes of a peace deal between Washington and Tehran combined to lift precious metals and ease the geopolitical risk premium that had been embedded in commodity markets since the Strait of Hormuz closure began disrupting global energy flows in late February.
The catalyst for the move was a series of signals from the Trump administration pointing toward a possible de-escalation of the Middle East conflict. President Donald Trump said he would briefly pause the US operation to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the decision as a reflection of meaningful progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately confirmed that Operation Epic Fury had been concluded and that the ceasefire with Iran remained intact, despite a skirmish involving Iranian missile and drone strikes on the UAE earlier in the week.
The peace deal optimism weighed on both the US dollar and crude oil prices. For gold, dollar weakness is directly supportive, as it reduces the cost of the metal for buyers holding other currencies, broadening demand. The retreat in oil was also significant for the metals complex, as elevated crude prices had been stoking inflation expectations, increasing the probability of higher-for-longer interest rates. That dynamic had created a structural headwind for gold, which, while widely regarded as an inflation hedge, competes with yield-bearing assets when rates remain elevated.
Silver outperformed on the day, with spot prices rising above $74.80 per ounce, reflecting the broader lift in precious metals sentiment.
Analysts cautioned that the gold rally remained sensitive to the durability of the ceasefire. Any re-escalation between the US and Iran was seen as likely to trigger profit-taking and prompt short-term speculators holding net long positions to unwind quickly, reversing a portion of the day’s gains.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.