Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD begins 2023 on a cautious note above $1,800

• Gold price treads water as holidays in the key markets restrict XAU/USD moves.
• Challenges to sentiment from China, IMF comments could probe Gold buyers.
• Cautious mood ahead of Fed Minutes, US NFP may also challenge XAU/USD upside.
• US Dollar Index rebounds from seven-month low despite recently downbeat US data.

Gold price (XAU/USD) seesaw near $1,825 during early Monday, mostly unchanged, as holidays in multiple markets restrict the metal’s immediate moves despite the US Dollar’s rebound.

The quote’s latest inaction could also be linked to the mixed US data and recent challenges to the market sentiment, as well as the cautious mood ahead of this week’s top-tier data/events.

It’s should be noted that most of the recent US data, including the figures concerning inflation and activities, have been downbeat and tame the woes surrounding the price pressure in the world’s biggest economy. The same previously propelled the Fed to bolster the rates and trigger recession woes. Hence, softer data weigh on the hawkish Fed bets and question the US Dollar buyers.

Elsewhere, doubts over China’s economic recovery, due to the Covid outbreak, join the downbeat comments from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva concerning Beijing also challenging the Gold price.

It’s worth noting, however, IMF’s Georgieva appears optimistic about the US growth conditions and hence puts a floor under the US Dollar’s latest moves.

Looking forward, Wednesday’s Minutes of the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, as well as Friday’s December month employment numbers for the US, will be crucial for Gold traders to watch.

Also read: Gold Price Annual Forecast: Will 2023 be the year Gold shines?

Gold price technical analysis

Gold price seesaws inside a three-day-old rising wedge bearish chart formation as bulls keep the reins around a six-month high.

That said, sluggish MACD and RSI conditions join the bearish chart pattern to challenge the XAU/USD buyers. As a result, Gold sellers could aim for further downside on breaking the $1,817 support, comprising the lower line of the stated wedge.

Even so, the 200-HMA and an ascending support line from mid-December, respectively around $1,807 and $1,798, could probe the downside momentum before giving control to the Gold bears.

Alternatively, an upside clearance of the $1,828 hurdle comprising the wedge’s top line, will defy the bearish chart formation.

It should be noted that the previous monthly high surrounding $1,835 acts as the last defense of the Gold bears ahead of directing the prices toward the June 2022 swing high near $1,880.

Gold price: Hourly chart

Trend: Limited upside expected