Gold kicked off the week on a softer note, dipping more than 1% to around $4,970 per ounce.
The retreat followed a sharp 2.5% jump in the previous session, fueled by weaker-than-expected US CPI data that had sent prices soaring.
The softer inflation reading rekindled hopes of Federal Reserve rate cuts, with markets now pricing in slightly more than two reductions this year.
Traders are keeping a close eye on the week’s economic calendar, including the release of FOMC meeting minutes, the US GDP advance estimate, and PCE inflation data, all of which could shape expectations for the Fed’s next move.
On the geopolitical front, attention is turning to nuclear talks between the US and Iran and US-led negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, both resuming this week.
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Such developments often ripple through investor sentiment, influencing demand for safe-haven assets like gold.
Despite the early-week pullback, gold remains anchored by lingering geopolitical uncertainty, strong central bank purchases, and investors seeking refuge from sovereign bonds and currencies.
Its recent surge has been remarkable: on February 13, 2026, it climbed to $5,043.92 per ounce, marking a 2.48% gain from the day before.
Over the past month, prices have climbed nearly 9%, and compared to last year, gold has soared more than 75%, reflecting a year of intense market turbulence.
As the week unfolds, all eyes are on both economic signals and global tensions. For gold, the story continues to be written in real time, blending market momentum with the ever-present allure of uncertainty.
