Forecast for Gold Price: XAU/USD fluctuates above $1,950 as risk-on sentiment loses steam ahead of US NFP

Gold price (XAU/USD) is exhibiting back-and-forth movement in the early London session following a stunning rally above the important resistance of $1,950.00. As the US Dollar Index (DXY) builds a buffer around 100.50, the precious metal has shifted to the sidelines. A lesser interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve (Fed) has driven the USD Index onto a downward trend, maintaining the bullish bias.

National Bank of Canada economists opine, "It would be a mistake for the Fed to continue hiking its key rate substantially above the current level and holding it there for an extended length of time if inflation continues to disappoint." Therefore, a FOMC policy shift is anticipated in the first quarter of 2023, which would pave the way for a more protracted drop.

Meanwhile, S&P500 futures are confidently maintaining their morning gains, indicating that the risk appetite theme is highly robust. However, 10-year US Treasury yields have risen beyond 3.42 percent.

After the Fed's policy-induced volatility, investors are moving their attention to Friday's release of United States Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) (January) data. According to the consensus, the US economy added 185K jobs in January, compared to 223K in December. The unemployment rate is anticipated to rise to 3.6%. Also, the Average Hourly Earnings are anticipated to increase to 4.9% from 4.6% in the previous report.