GOLD PRICE FORECAST: XAU/USD GATHERS STRENGTH TO CAPTURE $2,050 AS US ECONOMY EYES RECESSION

Gold price (XAU/USD) is gathering strength to capture the critical resistance of $2,050.00 in the Asian session. The precious metal is looking to resume its upside journey after mild exhaustion in the upside momentum.

S&P500 futures are showing choppy moves in the Asian session after witnessing stellar buying on Thursday, portraying a risk appetite theme underpinned by the market participants. The US Dollar Index (DXY) has refreshed its 11-month low at 100.80 and is eyeing more weakness as investors are anticipating that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will look for pausing rate hikes after May monetary policy meeting.

Bloomberg reported that United States commercial banks reduced their borrowings from two Federal Reserve backstop lending facilities for a fourth straight week as liquidity constraints continue to ease following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank last month. Lower credit disposal due to tight credit conditions could slow down the US economy, which might ease inflationary pressures sooner and force Fed chair Jerome Powell to wrap up the policy-tightening spell sooner.

On Friday, a power-pack action is expected from the USD Index amid the release of the US Retail Sales data. According to the consensus, the economic data will contract by 0.4%. The retail demand is likely to continue the pace of contraction as shown in February as US labor market conditions are cooling down.